Evolution of structures and stabilities of zinc-doped tin clusters SnnZn, n = 1-12. Three-dimensional aromaticity of the magic clusters Sn10Zn and Sn12Zn

► Small zinc doped tin clusters are studied using the DFT and CCSD(T) methods. ► Icosahedral Sn12Zn (Ih) and Sn10Zn (D4d) are magic clusters. ► Both Sn12Zn and Sn10Zn clusters are spherically aromatic species that satisfies the electron accounting rule of 2(N + 1)2. ► Enhanced stability of Sn12Zn (Ih) can further be rationalized in terms of its closed crystal field splitting shell.