Super atom
The so-called “ super atom ” is the name for compact and stable clusters of normal atoms which, when combined, either have properties of other elements or completely new qualities. In chemical compounds they act like a single atom, while their bonds do not correspond to the usual bond types. In contrast to Bose-Einstein condensates , superatoms are formed at relatively high temperatures and are very stable.
In January 2005, an icosahedral Al 13 cluster was reported that has the properties of halogen atoms such as chlorine , bromine or iodine . B Al 12 behaves very similarly . On the other hand, C Al 12 is similar to a noble gas atom and N Al 12 is similar to an alkali metal atom .
Web links
- Pennsylvania State University: Clusters of Aluminum Atoms Found to Have Properties of Other Elements Reveal a New Form of Chemistry , brief communication dated January 13, 2005.