Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
The volatility of a series of group 13–16 cubane compounds, [(R)ME]4 (M = Al, Ga; E = S, Se, Te) has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of the M4E4 core, the ligand (R), and molecular packing on the relative sublimation temperature and the activation energy of sublimation are discussed. For any given ligand type (e.g., [(tBu)ME] 4) volatility is dependent on the compound's molecular mass. The volatility of a homologous series (e.g., [(R)GaS] 4) is proposed to be dependent on the interlocking of the ligands in the solid state. In contrast, the energy of activation for sublimation (Ea) may be related to the molecular packing of the cubane cores in the solid state.