Prismatic Molecules

Abstract

Prismatic species without central atoms are rare. The Te₆⁴⁺ ion is an example of a trigonal prism and prismane (Figure 11-1a) is the as yet unknown parent compound of several characterized derivatives which have been found to contain the trigonal prismatic array of carbon atoms. Cubane (Figure 11-1b) has been synthesized by photolytically dimerizing cyclobutadiene that has been stabilized in a metal complex.