[Ge 9 {Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 } 3 ] − : A Soluble Polyhedral Ge 9 Cluster Stabilized by Only Three Silyl Ligands

“Naked” but refined! The reaction of germanium(I) bromide with Li{Si(SiMe3)3} gives the polyhedral Ge9 cluster ion [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3]− (see structure), in which only three of the nine germanium atoms are bound to a ligand, the remaining germanium atoms are naked. The unusually high solubility of this cluster opens the possibility of using it as a starting material for further reactions.