[(ZnSb)]: a new structure type for coupled norbornadiene-like subunits.

The norbornadiene-like bimetallic dimer [(ZnSb)] anion (1) was prepared by direct extraction from a ternary alloy with nominal composition "KZnSb" in ethylenediamine/toluene/2,2,2-crypt solutions. The structure represents a new type for coupled norbornadiene subunits, however, distortions around the Zn ions degrade the overall symmetry. The Zn ions achieve a 16e configuration and reside in near perfect ZnSb triangular coordination environments. DFT calculations reveal a 2.35 eV HOMO-LUMO gap and suggest covalent bonding between the Zn and Sb atoms.