A family of germanates constructed from Ge7 clusters co-templated by metal complexes and organic/inorganic species

Abstract

By using metal complexes and organic amine cations/inorganic anions as co-templates, four novel germanates JLG-n (n = 3, 6, 7, 8) have been prepared under solvothermal conditions. These compounds are all built up from Ge₇ clusters and classified into two structural types: according to T² connection mode of the Ge₇ cluster for JLG-3 with a chain-like structure and to T⁴ connection mode for JLG-n (n = 6, 7, 8) with 2-D layered structures. Then numerous 2-D layered structures were designed by different arrangements of the R- and L-chains of JLG-3. In addition, two 3-D frameworks, H-F1 (16-rings) and H-F2 (24-rings), were designed on the basis of the sheets of JLG-6 and JLG-8, respectively, with the connection of the Ge₇ clusters in T⁴P mode. Since Ge₇ clusters display various connection modes, they are found to be effective for construction of novel open-framework germanates. A series of 2-D and even 3-D structures of germanates can be designed using Ge₇ clusters as SBUs based on the concept of “Scale Chemistry”.