Novel non-covalent interactions involved with the Al13M cluster (M = Li, Na, K, Cu, Ag, Au)

The complexes of Al13M cluster (M = Li, Na, K, Cu, Ag, Au) and Lewis bases NH3, H2O, C6H6, and HLi have been predicted and characterised. The results showed that the cluster Al13M forms the alkali-bonding or coinage metal-bonding interaction through M with these Lewis bases. These complexes exhibit some similarities and differences in the structures, properties, and nature with conventional molecules. The formation of these interactions has a negligible or small effect on the structures of Al13M. This study combines the cluster Al13M with non-covalent interactions, which is of great importance in supramolecular chemistry.