Cubane-type cluster

<p>A cubane-type cluster is an arrangement of atoms in a <a href="/facts/Molecular_structure/N9ljSfFq">molecular structure</a> that forms a <a href="/facts/Cube/65lUaAqN">cube</a>. In the simplest case, the eight vertices are symmetry equivalent and the species has Oh <a href="/facts/Symmetry_group/CNqeseMp">symmetry</a>. Such structure occurs in the <a href="/facts/Hydrocarbon/Dcg95Ju5">hydrocarbon</a> <a href="/facts/Cubane/ryUtQ2BB">cubane</a> (<a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> C8H8), which has carbon atoms at the corners of a cube and <a href="/facts/Covalent_bond/EzMLf3Pz">covalent bonds</a> forming the edges. 
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<p>Other compounds in the class have different elements in the corners, and various atoms or groups bonded to the corners.  
Most cubanes have more complicated structures, usually with nonequivalent vertices. They may be simple covalent compounds or <a href="/facts/Macromolecular/039ULSLg">macromolecular</a> or supramolecular <a href="/facts/Cluster_compound/EsuLgxJU">cluster compounds</a>.
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Cubane-type cluster open-in-new

Cubane-type cluster