The continuously decreasing size of device features in microelectronics draws growing attention to the structuring of silicon at the molecular level with powerful tools provided by synthetic chemistry. Silicon clusters are of particular importance in this regard not only as potential precursors for silicon deposition but also as well-defined model systems for bulk and surfaces of silicon at the nanoscale as well as possible starting points for future construction of molecularly precise device structures. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview about the state of the art in the synthesis of molecular silicon clusters, which are grouped into (1) electron-precise saturated clusters, (2) soluble polyhedral Zintl anions, and (3) unsaturated silicon clusters, the so-called siliconoids. Particular attention is paid to functionalization as it is generally considered a necessary prerequisite for the design and construction of more extended systems. The interrelations between the three different classes of molecular silicon clusters, e.g., arising from the introduction of negatively charged functional groups, are highlighted on grounds of NMR properties and computed electronic structures.

中文翻译：

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分子硅簇

微电子器件中器件特征尺寸的不断减小引起了人们越来越多的关注，利用合成化学提供的强大工具在分子水平上对硅进行结构化。硅簇在这方面特别重要，不仅是硅沉积的潜在前体，而且还是纳米级硅的体块和表面的明确模型系统，以及未来构建分子精确器件结构的可能起点。本综述旨在全面概述分子硅簇合成的最新技术，这些分子簇分为 (1) 电子精确饱和簇、(2) 可溶性多面体 Zintl 阴离子和 (3) 不饱和硅簇，所谓的siloidoids。特别注意功能化，因为它通常被认为是设计和构建更多扩展系统的必要先决条件。三种不同类别的分子硅簇之间的相互关系，例如，由引入带负电荷的官能团引起的，在核磁共振特性和计算的电子结构的基础上得到强调。