Superatoms are metal clusters that collectively behave like an atom, but they usually require metal–metal bonding and thus they are based on main group or transition metals. Now it has been shown that trithorium nanoclusters with delocalized three-centre-one-electron thorium–thorium bonding exhibit exalted diamagnetism. This unveils actinide superatoms that exhibit open-shell jellium aromaticity.
- John A. Seed
- Xinglan Deng
- Stephen T. Liddle