Main group metal chalcogenidometalates with transition metal complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine

Intercalating Organic Hybrid Cadmium Antimony Sulfide Nanoparticles into Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Electrochemical Lithium Storage

Inorganic metal sulfides have received extensive investigation as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, applications of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides as anode materials in LIBs are quite rare. In addition, combining the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides with conductive materials is expected to enhance the electrochemical lithium storage performance. Nevertheless, due to the difficulty of harvesting the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides, this approach has never been tried to date. Herein, nanoparticles of a crystalline organic hybrid cadmium antimony sulfide (1,4-DABH2)Cd2Sb2S6 (DCAS) were prepared by a top-down method, including the procedures of solvothermal synthesis, ball milling, and ultrasonic pulverization. Thereafter, the nanoparticles of DCAS with sizes of ∼500 nm were intercalated into graphene oxide nanosheets through a freeze-drying treatment and a DCAS@GO composite was obtained. Compared with the reported Sb2S3- and CdS-based composites, the DCAS@GO composite exhibited superior electrochemical Li+ ion storage performance, including a high capacity of 1075.6 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 and exceptional rate tolerances (646.8 mAh g-1 at 5000 mA g-1). In addition, DCAS@GO can provide a high capacity of 705.6 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at 1000 mA g-1. Our research offers a viable approach for preparing the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides and proves that intercalating organic hybrid metal sulfide nanoparticles into GO nanosheets can efficiently boost the electrochemical Li+ ion storage performance.

Thermodynamic Transformation of Crystalline Organic Hybrid Iron Selenide to FexSey@CN Microrods for Sodium Ion Storage

Carbon-coated metal chalcogenide composites have been demonstrated as one type of promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, combining carbon materials with micronanoparticles of metal chalcogenide always involve complicated processes, such as polymer coating, carbonization, and sulfidation/selenization. To address this issue, herein, we reported a series of carbon-coated FexSey@CN (FexSey = FeSe2, Fe3Se4, Fe7Se8) composites prepared via the thermodynamic transformation of a crystalline organic hybrid iron selenide [Fe(phen)2](Se4) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). By pyrolyzing the bulk crystals of [Fe(phen)2](Se4) at different temperatures, FexSey microrods were formed in situ, where the nitrogen-doped carbon layers were coated on the surface of the microrods. Moreover, all the as-prepared FexSey@CN composites exhibited excellent sodium-ion storage capabilities as anode materials in SIBs. This work proves that crystalline organic hybrid metal chalcogenides can be used as a novel material system for the in situ formation of carbon-coated metal chalcogenide composites, which could have great potential in the application of electrochemical energy storage.

Crystal structure of μ3-tetra-thio-anti-monato-tris[(cyclam)zinc(II)] tetra-thio-anti-monate aceto-nitrile disolvate dihydrate showing Zn disorder over the cyclam ring planes (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne)

Reaction of Zn(ClO4)2·6H2O with cyclam (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane, C10H24N4) and Na3SbS4 in an aceto-nitrile/water mixture led to the formation of crystals of the title compound, [Zn3(SbS4)(C10H24N4)3](SbS4)·2CH3CN·2H2O or [(Zn-cyclam)3(SbS4)2](H2O)2(aceto-nitrile)2. The set-up of the crystal structure is similar to that of [(Zn-cyclam)3(SbS4)2].8H2O reported recently [Danker et al. (2021 ▸). Dalton Trans. 50, 18107-18117]. The crystal structure of the title compound consists of three crystallographically independent ZnII cations (each disordered around centers of inversion), three centrosymmetric cyclam ligands, one SbS4 3- anion, one water and one aceto-nitrile mol-ecule occupying general positions. The aceto-nitrile mol-ecule is equally disordered over two sets of sites. Each Zn2+ cation is bound to four nitro-gen atoms of a cyclam ligand and one sulfur atom of the SbS4 3- anion within a distorted square-pyramidal coordination. The cation disorder of the [Zn(cyclam)]2+ complexes is discussed in detail and is also observed in other compounds, where identical ligands are located above and below the [Zn(cyclam)]2+ plane. In the title compound, the building units are arranged in layers parallel to the bc plane forming pores in which the aceto-nitrile solvate mol-ecules are located. Inter-molecular C-H⋯S hydrogen bonding links these units to the SbS4 3- anions. Between the layers, additional water solvate mol-ecules are present that act as acceptor and donor groups for inter-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯S hydrogen bonding.

Synthesis and crystal structure of poly[[di-μ3-tetra-thio-anti-monato-tris-[(cyclam)cobalt(II)]] aceto-nitrile disolvate dihydrate] (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne)

Reaction of Co(ClO4)2·6H2O with cyclam (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne) and Na3SbS4·9H2O (Schlippesches salt) in a mixture of aceto-nitrile and water leads to the formation of crystals of the title compound with the composition {[Co3(SbS4)2(C10H24N4)3]·2CH3CN·2H2O} n or {[(Co-cyclam)3(SbS4)2]·2(aceto-nitrile)·2H2O} n . The crystal structure of the title compound consists of three crystallographically independent [Co-cyclam]2+ cations, which are located on centers of inversion, one [SbS4]3- anion, one water and one aceto-nitrile mol-ecule that occupy general positions. The aceto-nitrile mol-ecule is disordered over two orientations and was refined using a split model. The CoII cations are coordinated by four N atoms of the cyclam ligand and two trans-S atoms of the tetra-thio-anti-monate anion within slightly distorted octa-hedra. The unique [SbS4]3- anion is coordinated to all three crystallographically independent CoII cations and this unit, with its symmetry-related counterparts, forms rings composed of six Co-cyclam cations and six tetra-thio-anti-monate anions that are further condensed into layers. These layers are perfectly stacked onto each other so that channels are formed in which acetontrile solvate mol-ecules that are hydrogen bonded to the anions are embedded. The water solvate mol-ecules are located between the layers and are connected to the cyclam ligands and the [SbS4]3- anions via inter-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯S hydrogen bonding.

Stable 3D neutral gallium thioantimonate frameworks decorated with transition metal complexes for a tunable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Incorporating transition metal (TM) complexes into cluster-based chalcogenide frameworks is an effective synthetic strategy to induce structural diversity and control the optoelectronic properties, which may further improve their photocatalytic performance. However, limited studies have been conducted on frameworks constructed by TM complexes covalently bonded with supertetrahedral Tn clusters, let alone on their properties, especially photocatalytic H₂ activity. Herein, three new isostructural three-dimensional (3D) neutral inorganic-organic open frameworks of gallium thioantimonate comprised of thiogallate-based supertetrahedral T3 clusters that are covalently bonded with TM complexes ([TM(TEPA)]²⁺, TM = Mn/Ni/Fe, TEPA = tetraethylenepentamine) at the edges and are linked by single Sb³⁺ ions at the corner, namely, NCF-3-Mn/Ni/Fe have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized, and display good thermal and chemical stability. Benefiting from an adjustable TM centre, the title compounds possess tunable photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity, among which NCF-3-Mn exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity probably due to its favourable band structure and enhanced carrier separation efficiency.

Two Organic Hybrid Manganese Selenoarsenates: The Discovery of One-Dimensional Low-Valent Selenoarsenate(II)

Two organic hybrid manganese selenoarsenates, [Mn(en)₃][MnAs^II₂Se₄] (1; en = ethanediamine) and {[Mn(atep)]₂[Mn(tepa)](As^VSe₄)₂} [2; atep = 4-(2-aminoethyl)triethylenetetramine], were made under mild solvothermal conditions. 1 is a new type of one-dimensional low-valent selenoarsenate(II) constructed by the linkages of tetrahedral [MnSe₄] units and two manners of bridging of [As^II₂Se₄]^4- anions. 2 comprises a neutral {[Mn(atep)]₂[Mn(tepa)](As^VSe₄)₂} molecule with a rare seven-coordinated manganese center, which represents the sole example of an organic hybrid selenoarsenate with the [Mn(tepa)]²⁺ complex as the bridging group. Both 1 and 2 exhibit special photocurrent responses upon visible-light illumination and magnetic properties.

A pillar-layered chalcogenide framework assembled by [Mn5S12N12]n layers and [Sb2S5] inorganic pillars

Reported here is an attractive pillar-layered metal chalcogenide open framework, in which [Sb₂S₅] building units act as pillars between [Mn₅S₁₂(N₂H₄)₆]_n layers. The obtained compound exhibits high stability in both acid and base media and good performance in the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

A Copper(I)-Thioarsenate(III) Inorganic Framework Directed by [Ni(en)3]2

One novel three-dimensional (3-D) copper(I)-thioarsenate(III) [Ni(en)₃]Cu₄As₄S₉ (1, en = ethylenediamine) has been solvothermally prepared with the utilization of the in situ formation of [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ complex as structure-directing agent (SDA). 1 contains cubane-like [Cu₈S₁₂]^16- clusters and rare tetrameric [As₄S₉]^6- units, which are interconnected to generate the first example of a 3-D anionic framework [Cu₄As₄S₉]_n^2n-, topologically identical to pyrite, and having large channels filled by [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ complex cations. 1 is a potential wide-band-gap semiconductor with an energy gap of 1.91 eV that exhibits selectively photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation. The density functional theory calculation, photocurrent response, and magnetic properties of 1 were also investigated.

Two Series of Main-Group Heterometallic Selenides Synthesized in Two Different Types of Ionic Liquids

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids have been widely applied in the synthesis of organic hybrid chalcogenidometalates, while the other types of ionic liquids are rarely tried. Reported here is the first application of a pyridinium-based ionic liquid in the preparation of two main-group heterometallic selenides featuring isomorphic three-dimensional frameworks. Of particular interest is that three gallium-tin selenides possessing another type of three-dimensional framework have been prepared by replacing the pyridinium-based ionic liquid with imidalolium-based ionic liquids under the same reaction conditions.

Coupling an organic photosensitizer and an inorganic framework into a single-phase material that shows visible-light photocurrent response

A rare hybrid of a 3D Sn–Se type framework and a ruthenium(ii) photosensitizer has been synthesized, and exhibits visible light photocurrent response.

Two Hybrid Polymeric Iodoargentates Incorporating Aromatic N-Heterocycle Derivatives as Electron Acceptors

Two new hybrid polymeric iodoargentates, [Ag₂I₂(phen)]_n (1; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [AgI(bpt)]_n (2; bpt = 3,5-bis(pyrazinyl)-1,2,4-triazole), were prepared by the hydrothermal methods. 1 displays a new type of taenioid, [Ag₂I₂(phen)]_n, chain incorporating phen molecules, while 2 exhibits a unique 2D hybrid iodoargentate based on a combination of the [AgI]_n layer and bpt molecules as electron acceptors. Such a 2D layer is the first example of an inorganic iodoargentate layer covalently bonding to aromatic N-heterocycle derivatives within the iodoargentates. 1 and 2 exhibit photocurrent response properties.

Unique Two-Dimensional Indium Telluride Templated by a Rare Wheel-Shaped Heterobimetallic Mn/In Cluster

A new indium telluride, [Mn_4.78In_2.22(ea)₁₂]_n[In_9.79Mn_0.21Te₁₇]_n (where Hea = ethanolamine), containing unprecedented nonsupertetrahedral [In_9.79Mn_0.21Te₂₁] units is the first example of a two-dimensional indium telluride framework templated by a rare high-nuclearity wheel-shaped heterometallic [Mn_4.78In_2.22(ea)₁₂]^4.22+ cluster. The photocurrent response and magnetic properties were investigated.

Synthesis and crystal structure of (1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodecane-κ4 N)(tetra-sulfido-κ2 S 1,S 4)manganese(II)

The title compound, [Mn(S4)(C8H20N4)], was accidentally obtained by the hydro-thermal reaction of Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O, cyclen (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetra-aza-cyclo-dodeca-ne) and Na3SbS4·9H2O in water at 413 K, indicating that polysulfide anions might represent inter-mediates in the synthesis of thio-metallate compounds using Na3SbS4·9H2O as a reactant. X-ray powder diffraction proves that the sample is slightly contaminated with NaSb(OH)6 and an unknown crystalline phase. The crystal investigated was twinned with a twofold rotation axis as the twin element, and therefore a twin refinement using data in HKLF-5 format was performed. The asymmetric unit of the title compound consists of one MnII cation, one [S4]2- anion and one cyclen ligand in general positions. The MnII cation is sixfold coordinated by two cis-S atoms of the [S4]2- anions, as well as four N atoms of the cyclen ligand within an irregular coordination. The complexes are linked via pairs of N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds into chains, which are further linked into layers by additional N-H⋯S hydrogen bonding. These layers are connected into a three-dimensional network by inter-molecular N-H⋯S and C-H⋯S hydrogen bonding. It is noted that only one similar complex with MnII is reported in the literature.

Synthesizing Crystalline Chalcogenidoarsenates in Thiol-Amine Solvent Mixtures

Thiol-amine solvent mixtures have been widely applied in the solution processing of binary chalcogenide thin films due to their excellent ability to dissolve various bulk binary chalcogenides. However, application of this solvent system in preparing new crystalline chalcogenidometalates has not been explored. In this work, by using a thiol-amine solvent mixture of n-butylamine (BA) and 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) as the reaction medium and protonated piperazine (pip) cation as the template, we synthesized a series of new chalcogenidoarsenates with structures ranging from discrete clusters to two-dimensional layers, namely, [pipH₂][pipH][AsS₄] (1), [pipH₂][pipH][As(Se_0.4S_0.6)₄] (2), [pipH₂]₂[pipH]₂[In₂As^III₂As^V₂S_13.3(S₂)_0.7] (3), [pipH₂]₂[pipH]₂[In₂As^III₂As^V₂S_10.2Se_3.1(Se₂)_0.7] (4), [pipH₂]_0.5[AsS(S₂)] (5), [pipH₂]_0.5[AsS₂] (6), [pipH]₂[AgAsS₄] (7), [pipH₂]_1.5[GaAs^IIIAs^VS₇] (8), and Cs₂[pipH]₂[InAs₆S₁₂]Cl (9). Particularly, compounds 3, 4, and 8 contain mixed-valent As^III and As^V ions in their discrete clusters and one-dimensional chain. In addition, compound 5 could thermodynamically transform to compound 6 with increasing reaction temperature, which may be attributed to the thermodynamically unstable S-S species in the chains of 5. The BA-EDT solvent mixture was crucial to the synthesis of these compounds, since no title crystals can be prepared by replacing the BA-EDT solvent mixture with other conventional solvents or removing one component of the BA-EDT solvent mixture from the reaction system. Our research demonstrates that thiol-amine solvent systems could be promising reaction media for growing novel crystalline chalcogenidometalates.

Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[[bis[(2,2';6',2''-terpyridine)-manganese(II)]-μ4-penta-thio-dianti-monato] tetra-hydrate] showing a 1D MnSbS network

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[Mn2Sb2S5(C15H11N3)2]·4H2O} n , consists of two crystallographically independent MnII ions, two unique terpyridine ligands, one [Sb2S5]4- anion and four solvent water mol-ecules, all of which are located in general positions. The [Sb2S5]4- anion consists of two SbS3 units that share common corners. Each of the MnII ions is fivefold coordinated by two symmetry-related S atoms of [Sb2S5]4- anions and three N atoms of a terpyridine ligand within an irregular coordination. Each two anions are linked by two [Mn(terpyridine)]2+ cations into chains along the c-axis direction that consist of eight-membered Mn2Sb2S4 rings. These chains are further connected into a three-dimensional network by inter-molecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯S hydrogen bonds. The crystal investigated was twinned and therefore, a twin refinement using data in HKLF-5 [Sheldrick (2015 ▸). Acta Cryst. C71, 3-8] format was performed.

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.