Photoelectron spectroscopy and computational studies over the past decade have shown that boron clusters possess planar structures [1]. The propensity for planarity has been found to be a result of both s and p electron delocalization over the molecular plane, giving rise to concepts of s and p double aromaticity [2]. These studies were culminated by the observation of the hexagonal B36 cluster, which led to the concept of borophene [3]. More interestingly, photoelectron spectroscopic studies revealed that the B40− cluster consisted of two nearly degenerate isomers competing for the global minimum: a quasi-planar isomer with two hexagonal holes and an unprecedented cage isomer. In the neutral, the B40 cage is overwhelmingly the global minimum, which is the first all-boron fullerene to be observed (dubbed “borospherene”) [4]. Finally, we will discuss recent progresses to investigate transition-metal doped boron clusters that have given rise to the possibility of metalloborophenes [5].

Photoelectron spectroscopy of negative ions: From planar boron clusters to borophenes and borospherenes

254th National Meeting (2017)

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