{Sn9[Si(SiMe3)3]2}2-: a metalloid tin cluster compound with a Sn9 core of oxidation state zero.

The disproportionation reaction of the subvalent metastable halide SnCl proved to be a powerful synthetic method for the synthesis of metalloid cluster compounds of tin. Now we present the synthesis and structural characterization of the anionic metalloid cluster compound Sn(9)Si(SiMe(3))(3)3 where the oxidation state of the tin atoms is zero. Quantum chemical calculations as well as Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations show that three different kinds of tin atoms are present within the cluster core. Compound 3 is highly reactive as shown by NMR investigations, thus being a good starting material for further ongoing research on the reactivity of such partly shielded metalloid cluster compounds.