Superalkali atoms bonding to the phenalenyl radical: structures, intermolecular interaction and nonlinear optical properties

Chemical properties of superatomic Li3O clusters from a density functional theory perspective: formation of chloride and adsorption behavior on graphynes

Superatomic clusters have received a lot of attention due to their ability to mimic the electronic configurations of individual atoms. Despite numerous studies of these clusters, their ability to mimic the chemical properties of individual atoms is still unclear. This also applies for Li3O/Li3O+ clusters which simulate the Na atom and its ion, but their capabilities to form a salt or be adsorbed on surfaces remain unexplored. In this work, a density functional theory investigation was performed to study the chemical formation and adsorption behavior of the superatomic Li3O cluster. The results show that Li3O mimics the chemical properties of the sodium element to form Li3O chloride and be adsorbed on graphdiyne and γ-graphyne with similar binding energy as the sodium adsorbate cases. Beyond the isolated cluster individuals, superatoms are demonstrated as elements from the 3D periodic table to construct compounds and attach onto solid surfaces.

Can a molecular switch exist in both superalkali electride and superalkalide forms?

To combine both electride and alkalide characteristics in one molecular switch, it is shown herein that the phenalenyl radical and the M₃ ring (M₃-PHY, M = Li, Na, and K) stacked with parallel and vertical geometries are good candidates. The former geometry is the superalkali electride e^-⋯M₃⁺-PHY while the latter geometry is the superalkalide M^δ--M₂^(1-δ)+-PHY^-. The superalkalide M^δ--M₂^(1-δ)+-PHY^- may isomerize to the superalkali electride e^-⋯M₃⁺-PHY (M = Li, Na, and K) using suitable long-wavelength irradiation, while the latter may isomerize to the former with suitable short-wavelength irradiation. Also, applying suitable oriented external electric fields can drive the superalkalide M^δ-M₂^(1-δ)+-PHY^- to change into the superalkali electride e^-⋯M₃⁺-PHY (M = Li, Na, and K). The differences in the static and dynamic first hyperpolarizability (β₀) values between them were also studied.

Exceptionally high NLO response and deep ultraviolet transparency of superalkali doped macrocyclic oligofuran rings

Cyclic oligofurans containing five and six furan rings (5CF & 6CF) doped with superalkalis are presented here as a new type of NLO material.

Recent Progress on the Design, Characterization, and Application of Superalkalis

Superalkalis are clusters or molecules featuring lower ionization energies (IEs) than that of cesium atoms, and thus exhibit excellent reducing properties. Such special species have great potential to be used in the synthesis of unusual charge-transfer salts and cluster-assembled nanomaterials with tailored properties, in the reduction of carbon dioxide, or as hydrogen storage materials and noble-gas-trapping agents, etc. In this regard, ongoing efforts have been devoted to designing and characterizing superalkalis of new types. The recent progress on the study of superalkalis in terms of theoretical design, characterization, and potential application is summarized in this minireview. We hope this review will not only provide a broad overview of this research field, but also highlight the prospect of further extending the experimental synthesis and practical application of superalkalis.