Solvothermal synthesis of Group 13–15 chalcogenidometalates with chelating organic amines

Two novel donor–acceptor hybrid heterostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

The ternary combination of metal cations, CuI and viologen based carboxylate leads to two donor–acceptor hybrid heterostructures, which exhibit highly efficient photocatalytic degradation activities towards organic dyes under visible light irradiation.

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates with metal complexes prepared in alkylol amines

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates were synthesized in alkylol amines, whose zinc selenidostannate with a photocurrent response represents the first example of the hybrid chalcogenidostannate incorporating rare tetrahedral metal complexes.

Remarkable multimember-ring configurations in a new family of Na7MIISb5S12 (MII = Zn, Cd, Hg) exhibiting various three-dimensional tunnel structures

A new series of thioantimonates featuring the newly discovered trimer (M^II/Sb)₃S₉ and 12 + 12-MR configurations are verified as potential IR birefringent materials.

NaBaMIIIQ3 (MIII = Al, Ga; Q = S, Se): first quaternary chalcogenides with isolated edge-sharing (MIII2Q6)6− dimers

New series of quaternary chalcogenides with firstly discovered isolated edge-sharing (MIII2Q₆)⁶⁻ dimers showing obvious optical anisotropy were reported.

Preparation of thermochromic selenidostannates in deep eutectic solvents

Deep eutectic mixtures were used for the preparation of crystalline porous tin selenides, whose perforated layered structure endows these materials with suitable absorption in the visible light range, thus resulting in a marked thermochromic performance.

A novel 2-D Mn selenidostannate(iv) incorporating high-nuclear Mn clusters with spin canting behavior

A solvothermal reaction of SnCl₄·5H₂O, Mn and Se in ethanolamine (Hea) yielded a novel 2-D Mn selenidostannate(iv) [Mn₇(ea)₆(SnSe₄)₂]_n (1), which not only provides the first example of the incorporation of a hepta-nuclear Mn cluster [Mn₇(ea)₆]⁸⁺ into a selenidostannate(iv) framework, but also shows unusual spin canting behavior.

Multitopic ligand directed assembly of low-dimensional metal-chalcogenide organic frameworks

Despite tremendous progress in metal-organic frameworks, only limited success has been achieved with metal-chalcogenide organic frameworks. Metal-chalcogenide organic frameworks are desirable because they offer a promising route towards tunable semiconducting porous frameworks. Here, four novel semiconducting chalcogenide-organic hybrid compounds have been synthesized through a solvothermal method. Multitopic organic molecules, i.e., 1,2-di-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (L¹), 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridyl-trans-ethenyl)benzene (L²) and tetrakis(4-pyridyloxymethylene)methane (L³), have been used as linkers to assemble Zn(SAr)₂ or Zn₂(SAr)₄ units to generate different patterns of spatial organizations. Single-crystal structural analyses indicate that compounds NTU-2, NTU-3 and NTU-4 possess two-dimensional layer structures, while compound NTU-1 adopts a one-dimensional coordination framework (NTU-n, where n is the number related to a specific structure). The diffuse-reflectance spectra demonstrate that these four compounds possess indirect bandgaps and their tunable bandgaps are correlated with their compositions and crystal structures.

A unique dysprosium selenoarsenate(iii) exhibiting a photocurrent response and slow magnetic relaxation behavior

A unique dysprosium selenoarsenate(iii) contains large oligomeric cluster [As₃Se₆]³⁻anions with binuclear dysprosium complexes as counterions, and exhibits a photocurrent response and slow magnetic relaxation behavior.

Recent progress in crystalline metal chalcogenides as efficient photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation

Recent progress in crystalline metal chalcogenides as efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for aqueous organic pollutant degradation is reviewed.

Assembly of donor–acceptor hybrid heterostructures based on iodoplumbates and viologen coordination polymers

Two D–A hybrid heterostructures have been formed by the insertion of electron-rich iodoplumbates into viologen coordination polymers, which exhibit highly effcient photocatalytic degradation RhB under visible light irradiation.

Syntheses, structures, and properties of sulfides constructed by SbS4teeter-totter polyhedra: Ba3La4Ga2Sb2S15and BaLa3GaSb2S10

Two new pentanary sulfides Ba₃La₄Ga₂Sb₂S₁₅(1) and BaLa₃GaSb₂S₁₀(2) have been discovered.

[CH3NH3]2Ag4SnIV2SnIIS8: An Open-Framework Mixed-Valent Chalcogenidostannate

An open-framework chalcogenidostannate, namely, [CH₃NH₃]₂Ag₄Sn^IV₂Sn^IIS₈ (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized, which represents the first organically templated three-dimensional (3D) Ag-Sn-S compound containing the mixed valence of Sn(IV)/Sn(II) and displays visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for degradation of crystal violet (CV).

Facile Hydrazine-Hydrothermal Syntheses and Characterizations of Two Quaternary Thioarsenates(III): Two-Dimensional SrAg4 As2 S6 ⋅2 H2 O and One-Dimensional BaAgAsS3

Two new quaternary thioarsenates(III), SrAg4 As2 S6 ⋅2 H2 O (1) and BaAgAsS3 (2), have been prepared through a hydrazine-hydrothermal method at low temperature. Compound 1 possesses a two-dimensional (2D) layer network, while compound 2 features a one-dimensional (1D) column structure. The detailed structure analysis indicates that Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) cations have different directing effects on the structures of thioarsenates(III). Both experimental and theoretical studies demonstrate that compounds 1 and 2 are narrow-gap semiconductors. Our success in synthesizing these two quaternary thioarsenates(III) proves that the hydrazine-hydrothermal technique is a powerful yet facile synthetic method for exploring new complex chalcogenides with diverse crystal structures and interesting physical properties.

Solvothermal synthesis, structure and physical properties of Cs[Cr(en)2MSe4] (M = Ge, Sn) with [MSe4](4-) tetrahedra as chelating ligand

Two chromium chalcogenide Cs[Cr(en)2GeSe4] () and Cs[Cr(en)2SnSe4] () have been synthesized by a solvothermal method. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The structures of the two compounds are characterized by isolated [Cr(en)2MSe4](-) clusters separated by Cs(+) ions. The optical properties of the two compounds were measured which indicate a similar band gap of 1.58 eV. DFT calculations demonstrated that the valance band maximum (VBM) consist of Cr 3d orbitals and Se 4p orbitals while the conductive band minimum (CBM) are composed of Cr 3d orbitals for both compounds, which explains their similar optical band gap energies. Both compounds possess paramagnetic behaviors with the effective magnetic moment of 3.97μB for Cs[Cr(en)2GeSe4] and 3.91μB for Cs[Cr(en)2SnSe4], respectively. Field-dependent magnetization measurements demonstrated their potential as magnetocaloric materials, with the magnetic entropy change of 11.6 J (kg K)(-1) for Cs[Cr(en)2GeSe4], and 14.2 J (kg K)(-1) for Cs[Cr(en)2SnSe4].

Room temperature synthesis, crystal structure and selected properties of the new compound [Mn2(bipy)4SbS4](ClO4)

The new compound [Mn2(bipy)4SbS4](ClO4) was prepared by a new synthetic route for the preparation of thioantimonates(V) that can be used even at room temperature. Mixing aqueous solutions of [Mn(bipy)3](ClO4)2 and Na3SbS4 · 9H2O leads to immediate crystallization of the pure compound. In the structure an SbS4 3– anion acts as a tetradentate bridge connecting two Mn2+ cations of [Mn(bipy)3]2+ complexes (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine). The compound features a hitherto unknown [Mn2(bipy)4SbS4]+ cation. Bipy ligands of adjacent cations are arranged parallel to each other leading to weak off-center parallel π-π interactions stabilizing the crystals. Magnetic measurements indicate weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the Mn2+ centers.

Two novel selenidostannates from mixed structure-directing systems: the large ten-membered ring of [Sn3Se4] semicubes and the 3D [Sn4Se9]n2n−with multi-channels

A lamellar [Sn₃Se₇]_n²ⁿ⁻with large ten-membered ring of [Sn₃Se₄] semicubes and the first 3D [Sn₄Se₉]_n²ⁿ⁻with ternary cations are presented.

Supramolecular hexagonal nano tubes assembled by vanadium diamine complexes with thiogermanates

A supramolecular hexagonal nano tube is characterized, which is assembled by oxo-vanadium thiogermanate in a sulfur–diamine reduction system.

Facile one-pot tandem reductive amination of aldehydes from nitroarenes over a hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite containing palladium nanoparticles

Palladium nanoparticles embedded in hierarchical zeolite act as an acid–metal bifunctional catalyst for efficient reductive amination of aldehyde from nitroarenes.

A comparison study of aliphatic and aromatic structure directing agents influencing the crystal and electronic structures, and properties of iodoplumbate hybrids: water induced structure conversion and visible light photocatalytic properties

The introduction of the aliphatic amines en (ethylenediamine), aep (N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine) and tepa (tetraethylenepentamine), and the aromatic species 2,2'-bipy (2,2'-bipyridine) and dpe (1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene) as structure directing agents (SDAs) into inorganic iodoplumbates affords six hybrids, namely [(Hen)4(H2.5O)2I](PbI6) (1), Cs2n[Pb3I8(en)2]n (2), (H3tepa)n(PbI5)n (3), (H2aep)n(PbI4)n (4), (Et22,2'-bipy)n(Pb2I6)n (5) and (Et2dpe)n(Pb2I6)n (6). 1 contains a discrete octahedral (PbI6)(4-) anion generated under the direction of a novel co-template, [(Hen)4(H2.5O)2I](4+). 2 contains inorganic Cs(+) ions and a novel hybrid anionic layer [Pb3I8(en)2]n(2n-) that has never been encountered in iodoplumbate hybrids. 3 features a zigzag (PbI5)(3-) chain with the charge being compensated by a triprotonated tepa cation. 4 is composed of perovskite sheets of lead(ii) octahedra and aep cations that are generated from tepa via an unprecedented in situ ligand reaction. Both 5 and 6 have (Pb2I6)n(2n-) chains and represent the first example of introducing a 2,2'-bipy or dpe derivative cation in iodoplumbate hybrids, respectively. The comparative study reveals that aliphatic amines and aromatic species contribute differently to the crystal and electronic structures, and the properties of the hybrids. Importantly, 1-4 exhibit interesting water induced structure conversions, while 5 and 6 can be used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for dye wastewater treatment under visible light irradiation.

Two types of lanthanide selenidostannates(IV) first prepared under the same solvothermal conditions

Two types of lanthanide selenidostannates(iv) [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Sn2Se6] {Ln = Y(), Pr (), Dy (), Er (), Tm (); tepa = tetraethylenepentamine} and [Ln2(tepa)2(μ2-OH)2Cl2]2[Sn4Se10]·4H2O {Ln = Y (), Dy (), Er (), Tm ()} have been synthesized under identical solvothermal conditions and characterized structurally. Type I (, , , and ) displays 1-D neutral chains [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Sn2Se6]n, while type II (, , and ) contains discrete adamantane-like [Sn4Se10](4-) ions with binuclear lanthanide complex [Ln2(tepa)2(μ-OH)2Cl2](2+) ions as counterions. Although the solvothermal synthetic methods could result in the formation of various transition-metal chalcogenidometalates, such identical experimental conditions usually result in the only stable phases of lanthanide chalcogenidometalates. Hence, two different lanthanide selenidostannates(iv), obtained under same solvothermal conditions and starting materials, have been first observed in this work. The optical properties of all the compounds have been investigated by UV-vis spectra.

Structural complexity in indium selenides prepared using bicyclic amines as structure-directing agents

The synthesis and characterization of five new indium selenides, [C9H17N2]3[In5Se(8+x)(Se2)(1-x)] (1-2), [C6H12N2]4[C6H14N2]3[In10Se15(Se2)3] (3), [C6H14N2][(C6H12N2)2NaIn5Se9] (4) and [enH2][NH4][In7Se12] (5), are described. These materials were prepared under solvothermal conditions, using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as structure-directing agents. Compounds 1-4 represent the first examples of ribbons in indium selenides, and 4 is the first example of incorporation of an alkali metal complex. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 contain closely related [In5Se(8+x)(Se2)(1-x)](3-) ribbons which differ only in their content of (Se2)(2-) anions. These ribbons are interspaced by organic countercations in 1 and 2, while in 4 they are linked by highly unusual [Na(DABCO)2](+) units into a three-dimensional framework. Compound 3 contains complex ribbons, with a long repeating sequence of ca. 36 Å, and 4 is a non-centrosymmetric three-dimensional framework, formed as a consequence of the decomposition of DABCO into ethylenediamine (en) and ammonia.