Dizinc cation [Zn2](2+) trapped in a homoleptic metalloid coordination environment stabilized by dispersion forces: [Zn2(GaCp*)6][BAr4(F)]2.

The synthesis and characterization of the cationic mixed metal Ga/Zn cluster Zn2(GaCp*)6 (1) is presented. The reaction of [Zn2Cp2] with [Ga2Cp][BAr4(F)] leads to the formation of the novel complex being the first example of a Zn2 core exclusively ligated by metalloid group-13 organyl-ligands. Compound 1 exhibits two different coordination modes: In the solid state, two of the six GaCp* ligands occupy bridging positions, whereas VT (1)H NMR indicates the coexistence of a second isomer in solution featuring six terminal GaCp* ligands. Quantum chemical calculations have been carried out to assign the gallium and zinc positions; the bonding situation in 1 is characterized and the importance of dispersion forces is discussed.