Structure and Bonding in [Sb@In Sb ] and [Sb@In Sb ].

We report the characterization of the compound [K([2.2.2]crypt)] [In Sb ], which proves to contain a 1:1 mixture of [Sb@In Sb ] and [Sb@In Sb ] . The tri-anion displays perfect T symmetry, the first completely inorganic molecule to do so, and contains eight equivalent In centers in a cube. The gas-phase potential energy surface of the penta-anion has eight equivalent minima where the extra pair of electrons is localized on one In center, and these minima are linked by low-lying transition states where the electron pair is delocalized over two adjacent centers. The best fit to the electron density is obtained from a model where the structure of the 5- cluster lies close to the gas-phase transition state.