A combinatorial coordination-modulated approach to all-hydrocarbon-ligated intermetallic clusters

The formation of Hume-Rothery-inspired intermetallic and all-hydrocarbon-ligated Ni/E clusters (E = Al, Ga) is studied. A library of organo-metallic complexes and small clusters is obtained when [Ni(cod)(2)] is treated with ECp* in the presence of 3-hexyne (hex). While the alkyne reversibly coordinates side-on to the Ni/Ga species, it dimerizes at the Ni/Al species. The mass spectrometric monitoring of the reaction solutions provides insight into the chemical complexity generated by a combinatorial, coordination-modulated approach to control cluster nucleation and growth aiming at cluster size-focusing and selective synthesis of species such as [Ni4Ga4](Cp*)(4)(hex)(2).

Automated summary

The formation of Hume-Rothery-inspired intermetallic and all-hydrocarbon-ligated Ni/E clusters (E = Al, Ga) was studied using a combinatorial, coordination-modulated approach. Insight into the chemical complexity generated during cluster nucleation and growth was obtained through mass spectrometric monitoring of the reaction solutions.