Origin and Location of Electrons and Protons during the Formation of Intermetalloid Clusters [Sm@Ga3− xH3−2 xBi10+ x]3− ( x=0, 1).

Reaction of [GaBi3]2− with [Sm(C5Me4H)3] yielded the first protonated ternary intermetalloid clusters [Sm@Ga3− xH3−2 xBi10+ x]3− ( 1; x=0,1). The presence of the GaH bonds and the transfer of electrons and protons during the formation of 1 were elucidated by a combination of experimental and quantum chemical methods, thereby rationalizing the role of the solvent ethane-1,2-diamine as a Brønsted acid. As an organic by-product, we observed the previously unknown octamethylfulvene ( 2) upon CC coupling of (C5Me4H)−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]