Radioactive decay speedup at T=5 K: electron-capture decay rate of (7)Be encapsulated in C(60).

The electron-capture (EC) decay rate of (7)Be in C(60) at the temperature of liquid helium (T=5 K) was measured and compared with the rate in Be metal at T=293 K. We found that the half-life of (7)Be in endohedral C(60) ((7)Be@C(60)) at a temperature close to T=5 K is 52.47+/-0.04 d, a value that is 0.34% faster than that at T=293 K. In this environment, the half-life of (7)Be is nearly 1.5% faster than that inside Be metal at room temperature (T=293 K). We then interpreted our observations in terms of calculations of the electron density at the (7)Be nucleus position inside the C(60); further, we estimate theoretically the temperature dependence (at T=0 K and 293 K) of the electron density at the Be nucleus position in the stable center inside C(60). The theoretical estimates were almost in agreement with the experimental observations.

Formation and properties of halogenated aluminum clusters.

The fast-flow tube reaction apparatus was employed to study the halogenation of aluminum clusters. For reactions with HX (X=Cl, Br, and I), acid-etching pathways are evident, and we present findings for several reactions, whereby Al(n)X(-) generation is energetically favorable. Tandem reaction experiments allowed us to establish that for Al(n)Cl(-), Al(n)I(-), and Al(n)I(2) (-), species with n=6, 7, and 15 are particularly resistant to attack by oxygen. Further, trends in reactivity suggest that, in general, iodine incorporation leaves the aluminum clusters' electronic properties largely unperturbed. Ab initio calculations were performed to better interpret reaction mechanisms and elucidate the characteristics of the products. Lowest energy structures for Al(13)X(-) were found to feature icosahedral Al(13) units with the halogen atom located at the on-top site. The charge density of the highest occupied molecular orbital in these clusters is heavily dependent on the identity of X. The dependence of reactivity on the clusters' charge state is also discussed. In addition, we address the enhanced stability of Al(13)I(-) and Al(13)I(2) (-), arguing that the superhalogen behavior of Al(13) in these clusters can provide unique opportunities for the synthesis of novel materials with saltlike structures.