CLUSTER SYMMETRY OF ZINTL IONS

Zinl ion clusters can simply be regarded as clusters normally generated from the reactions between alkali and alkaline earth elements on one hand with the elements of groups three, four, five and six on the other. They are generally negatively charged.They exhibit a wide range of shapes. These clusters have recently been analysed using the 4n approach in the previous work. In this book they will be analysed using skeletal numbers which have been found to be far much easier and faster. The isomeric cluster shapes which match the corresponding cluster formulas can also be readily derived from the relationship K=n+t where n represents the ring outline of the cluster and the number of the skeletal elements in the corresponding cluster formula and t represents the number additional skeletal linkages to the ring to form triangles. Furthermore, the cluster valence electrons can be obtained by using one of the three fundamental equations developed during the study of clusters.