Sn20(SitBu3)10Cl2 - the largest metalloid group 14 cluster shows a raspberry-like arrangement of smaller units.

The reaction of a metastable Sn(i)Cl solution with NaSitBu3 leads to the largest metalloid group 14 cluster Sn20(SitBu3)10Cl2, in which the arrangement of the tin atoms in the cluster can be seen as a raspberry-like cluster of cluster arrangement, giving further insight into the process of the formation of a metalloid tin cluster from molecular precursors. Quantum chemical calculations further indicate that the arrangement of the tin atoms in the cluster core can be highly flexible, leading to the decomposition of the Sn20 cluster into smaller Sn10 units when the right substituent is applied.