Hansgeorg Schnöckel, Professor emeritus at the Institute for Inorganic Chemistry at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), celebrated his 80^th birthday in May 2021. Friends and colleagues as well as the publisher and editors of Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie (ZAAC) congratulate him cordially on this special occasion and dedicate this issue of ZAAC to him in recognition of his scientific achievements in seemingly very different fields that stretch from matrix isolation spectroscopy to the chemistry of high temperature molecules, the strive to make these molecules available for demanding preparations of subvalent Al, Ga as well as Mg compounds/clusters and finally to chemistry inside a mass spectrometer. Thus, in the very best sense, Hansgeorg Schnöckel is an Inorganic Chemist that uses all analytical, theoretical and methodological opportunities to finally solve the scientific quest.

Hansgeorg Schnöckel was born in 1941 in Marienburg in West Prussia. His family escaped in January 1945 during war-time from Marienburg to Eschwege in Hessen, and moved in 1949 to Wilhelmshaven, where Hansgeorg Schnöckel finished school in 1961. In that year, he started to study chemistry in Münster and finished his Diploma thesis in 1967. There, he was inspired by chemists like Wilhelm Klemm, Harald Schäfer, Rudolf Hoppe, and Hans Georg von Schnering. He stayed in Münster for his PhD under supervision of Prof. H. J. Becher, which was completed in 1970. In his subsequent habilitation, he spectroscopically studied reactive molecules with the matrix-isolation technique. During this time in Münster he married Margret Hassheider in 1970; they have two children, Stefan and Uta, born in 1973 and 1975. In 1989, he was appointed professor for inorganic chemistry at the LMU München. Shortly after, he finally moved to Karlsruhe to take over a chair position in inorganic chemistry in 1993 – a position that he held until his retirement in 2007. Yet, also in retirement he continued with scientific work and the majority of the exciting Mg work was done in this period after 2007.

Throughout his carrier, Hansgeorg Schnöckel used the matrix isolation technique to characterize reactive molecules by their vibrational and electronic spectra. A variety of reactive group 13 (e. g. AlCl, GaCl or OAlF) and group 14 (e. g. SiO, SiO₂, Si₂O₂) molecules were studied, and force constants estimated from painful experiments with isotopologues. Hansgeorg Schnöckel early recognized the great potential of quantum-chemical calculations and started a life-long and fruitful collaboration with Prof. R. Ahlrichs. But, Hansgeorg Schnöckel never stopped with the access to a reactive high energy species. He always tried to obtain information about the chemical reactivity of the reactive species. An illustrative example is the research on the SiO molecule. Using the matrix isolation technique and a sophisticated combination of two evaporators, his team prepared metal complexes of SiO and compared their structures and properties with those of complexes of CO.

This curiosity to understand the elementary steps towards the full chemical picture was the driving force to embark to the next endeavor: Based on the matrix-isolation experiments and thermodynamic considerations, Hansgeorg Schnöckel developed a unique way to novel preparative chemistry. His team built a series of co-condensation apparatus that were optimized over the years, giving access to metastable group 13 halide solutions which proved to be ideally suited to prepare other subvalent group 13 compounds and metalloid clusters. A first important breakthrough was the synthesis of AlCp*, being the first entry into preparative Al(I) chemistry. This molecule is a tetramer in the solid state, but exists in equilibrium with the monomer in solution. AlCp* withstood the test of time, is an all-time classic and is currently exceedingly used in the community as a source for Al(I) compounds.

The breakthrough on the preparation and application of the metastable solutions of subvalent Al and Ga halides was reached in Karlsruhe, greatly supported by the excellent mechanic work shop lead by Mr. Schucker. These metastable solutions were used extensively to prepare a variety of metal rich clusters for which Hansgeorg Schnöckel introduced the term ‘metalloid clusters' in accordance with the Greek word ϵιδος (ideal prototype) to differentiate from the much broader group of metal clusters. By contrast to other metalloid clusters that were known at this time, structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction was possible, allowing to retrieve detailed information. Hence, in the year 1997, his team reported the synthesis and structural characterization of the metalloid cluster [Al₇₇{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂₀]²⁻, that exhibits 57 Al atoms without direct bond to a ligand. In 2001, the cluster [Ga₈₄{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂₀]⁴⁻ was synthesized, with a Ga₂-unit in its center, surrounded by 62 Ga atoms that are not directly bound to ligands. This compound becomes superconducting at low temperatures. A further example is the metalorganic cluster Al₅₀C₆₀Me₆₀. Many other examples were published, and were classified as “snapshots” on the pathway to bulk metal, opening the door for a deeper mechanistic understanding of the formation or dissolution of metals. The structures in the inner shells of these metalloid clusters were compared with metal modifications.

With an FT-ICR mass spectrometer he moved to the next sphere: reactions of gaseous clusters were in the focus, e. g. with HCl or O₂. In this way fundamental questions like the mechanism of metal oxidation or the dissolution of metals by acids were tackled. In recent years Hansgeorg Schnöckel extended his research to Mg(I) chemistry.

With such diverse achievements, it is no wonder that he received several awards for his ground-breaking work, most notably in 2004 the Alfred-Stock Price.

Hansgeorg Schnöckel is not only an excellent scientist, but also an inspiring chemistry teacher. His PhD students and his habilitants very much profited from discussions with him. He had a great intuition to differentiate between significant and insignificant research ideas, and always tried to disclose a general scheme behind an experimental result. There are also a variety of legendary phrases among others “This needs to be done by a grown-up”.

Hansgeorg Schnöckel has several passions besides chemistry. He loves classical music and himself plays piano. He also often visits art museums and enjoys reading. Then, he loves mountains and he is an excellent skier and a trained mountain guide and already went to the Alps during his time in Münster. The latter attitude definitely helped to overcome all the hurdles on his scientific journey, as illustrated in the following sketch that is an homage at his life-long quest to always go for gold and to reach the top…

We wish Hansgeorg Schnöckel for the future all the best, healthiness and that he will be able to find the time to bring new ideas to the still very active field of cluster science.

HansgeorgSchnöckel，在学院无机化学在技术的卡尔斯鲁厄理工学院（KIT）名誉教授，庆祝他80^日生日五月2021的朋友和同事，以及为出版商和编辑（杂志）献给Anorganische UND汇报化学（ZAAC）在这个特殊的时刻向他表示衷心的祝贺，并献上本期ZAAC表彰他在看似非常不同的领域取得的科学成就，从基质分离光谱到高温分子的化学，努力使这些分子可用于制备亚价 Al、Ga 和 Mg 化合物/团簇和最后是质谱仪内的化学。因此，在最好的意义上，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 是一位无机化学家，他利用所有分析、理论和方法的机会来最终解决科学探索。

Hansgeorg Schnöckel 于 1941 年出生于西普鲁士的马林堡。他的家人于 1945 年 1 月战时从马里恩堡逃到黑森州的埃施韦格，并于 1949 年搬到威廉港，汉斯乔治·施诺克尔于 1961 年在那里完成学业。同年，他开始在明斯特学习化学，并于 1967 年完成了他的文凭论文. 在那里，他受到了 Wilhelm Klemm、Harald Schäfer、Rudolf Hoppe 和 Hans Georg von Schnering 等化学家的启发。他在 H. J. Becher 教授的指导下留在明斯特攻读博士学位，并于 1970 年完成。在随后的培训中，他使用基质分离技术对反应分子进行了光谱研究。在明斯特的这段时间里，他于 1970 年与 Margret Hassheider 结婚；他们有两个孩子，Stefan 和 Uta，分别于 1973 年和 1975 年出生。1989 年，他被任命为慕尼黑大学无机化学教授。不久之后，他终于在 1993 年搬到卡尔斯鲁厄，担任无机化学的主席一职——他一直担任这个职位直到 2007 年退休。然而，在退休后，他继续从事科学工作，大部分令人兴奋的镁工作是在 2007 年之后的这段时间内完成。

在整个载体中，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 使用基质隔离技术通过振动和电子光谱表征反应分子。各种反应性基团 13（例如 AlCl、GaCl 或 OAlF）和第 14 族（例如 SiO、SiO ₂、Si ₂ O ₂) 分子进行了研究，并通过同位素体的痛苦实验估计了力常数。Hansgeorg Schnöckel 很早就认识到量子化学计算的巨大潜力，并开始与 R. Ahlrichs 教授进行终生且富有成效的合作。但是，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 从未停止获得活性高能物质。他总是试图获得有关活性物种的化学反应性的信息。一个说明性的例子是对 SiO 分子的研究。使用基质分离技术和两个蒸发器的复杂组合，他的团队制备了 SiO 金属配合物，并将它们的结构和性质与 CO 配合物的结构和性质进行了比较。

这种对了解完整化学图的基本步骤的好奇心是开始下一个努力的动力：基于基质隔离实验和热力学考虑，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 开发了一种独特的方法来创造新的制备化学。他的团队建造了一系列经过多年优化的共缩合装置，可以使用亚稳态 13 族卤化物溶液，这些溶液被证明非常适合制备其他亚价 13 族化合物和准金属簇。第一个重要突破是 AlCp* 的合成，这是制备型 Al(I) 化学的第一个入口。该分子是固态的四聚体，但与溶液中的单体处于平衡状态。AlCp*经受住了时间的考验，

在Schucker先生领导的优秀机械车间的大力支持下，卡尔斯鲁厄在亚价Al和Ga卤化物亚稳态溶液的制备和应用方面取得了突破。这些亚稳态溶液被广泛用于制备各种富含金属的簇，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 根据希腊词 ϵιδος（理想原型）引入了术语“准金属簇”，以区别于更广泛的金属簇群。与当时已知的其他类金属簇相比，通过单晶 X 射线衍射进行结构表征是可能的，从而可以检索详细信息。因此，在 1997 年，他的团队报告了类金属簇 [Al ₇₇ {N(SiMe₃ ) ₂ } ₂₀ ] ^2-，显示出 57 个 Al 原子而没有与配体直接键合。2001 年，合成了 [Ga ₈₄ {N(SiMe ₃ ) ₂ } ₂₀ ] ^4-簇，其中心有一个 Ga _{2 单元}，周围有 62 个不直接与配体结合的 Ga 原子。这种化合物在低温下变得超导。另一个例子是金属有机簇 Al ₅₀ C ₆₀ Me ₆₀. 发表了许多其他例子，并被归类为大块金属路径上的“快照”，为更深入地了解金属的形成或溶解机制打开了大门。将这些类金属簇的内壳结构与金属改性进行了比较。

使用 FT-ICR 质谱仪，他移动到下一个领域：气体团簇的反应是焦点，例如。G。用 HCl 或 O ₂。通过这种方式，解决了诸如金属氧化机制或酸溶解金属等基本问题。近年来，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 将他的研究扩展到 Mg(I) 化学。

凭借如此多样的成就，难怪他因其开创性的工作而获得多个奖项，其中最著名的是 2004 年的阿尔弗雷德股票价格奖。

Hansgeorg Schnöckel 不仅是一位出色的科学家，还是一位鼓舞人心的化学老师。他的博士生和他的住户从与他的讨论中受益匪浅。他对区分重要和不重要的研究思路有很强的直觉，并总是试图揭示一个实验结果背后的总体方案。还有各种传奇的短语，其中包括“这需要一个成年人来完成”。

除了化学，Hansgeorg Schnöckel 还热衷于其他领域。他喜欢古典音乐，自己会弹钢琴。他还经常参观艺术博物馆并喜欢阅读。然后，他喜欢山，他是一名出色的滑雪者和训练有素的登山向导，在明斯特期间已经去过阿尔卑斯山。后一种态度无疑帮助他克服了科学之旅中的所有障碍，如下图所示，这是对他一生追求黄金并达到顶峰的追求……

我们希望 Hansgeorg Schnöckel 未来一切顺利，身体健康，并且他将能够找到时间为仍然非常活跃的集群科学领域带来新的想法。