Si(SiMe3)(3)](6)Ge18M(M = Cu, Ag, Au): metalloid cluster compounds as unusual building blocks for a supramolecular chemistry

Very recently it was shown that the metalloid cluster compound {Ge-9[Si(SiMe3)(3)](3)}(-) 1 can be used for subsequent reactions as the shielding of the cluster core is rather incomplete. Here further reactions of 1 with M+ sources of group 11 metals are described, leading to metalloid cluster compounds of the formula {MGe18[Si(SiMe3)(3)](6)}(-) (M = Ag, Cu). These reactions can be seen as first steps into a supramolecular chemistry with metalloid cluster compounds. Beside this feature, the structural properties as well as the bonding situations in these cluster compounds are discussed.