Solvothermal synthesis of three new dimeric thiogermanates (enH)4Ge2S6, [Mn(en)3]2Ge2S6 and [Ni(en)3]2Ge2S6 from germanium dioxide and sulfur powder

Stepwise Conversion from GeO2 to [MGe4S10]n3n- (M = Cu, Ag) Polymer via Isolatable [Ge2S6]4- and [Ge4S10]4- Anions by Virtue of Templating Technique

Rational synthesis of inorganic matter remains a great challenge encountered with modern synthetic chemistry. Here we reported the stepwise solvothermal conversion from GeO₂ to [MGe₄S₁₀]_n^3n- (M = Cu, Ag) polymer via isolatable [Ge₂S₆]^4- and [Ge₄S₁₀]^4- anions by virtue of templating technique. The facile sulfuration of GeO₂ resulted in the methylammonium-templated dimeric thiogermanate [CH₃NH₃]₄Ge₂S₆ (1). This was used subsequently as a precursor for the formation of adamantane-like [Ge₄S₁₀]^4- cluster, which was isolated as a mixed methylammonium/ethylammonium salt [CH₃CH₂NH₃]₃[CH₃NH₃]Ge₄S₁₀ (2). Compound 2 was then successfully used as a precursor to react with Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ cations in the presence of tetraethylammonium, resulting in alternating copolymeric products [(CH₃CH₂)₄N]₃MGe₄S₁₀ (M = Cu (3), Ag (4)), whose anionic moieties feature a novel zigzag chainlike structure constructed by [Ge₄S₁₀]^4- clusters via two-coordinate Cu⁺/Ag⁺ linkers. Mixed amine/ethanol or deep eutectic solvents were applied as media for the syntheses of 1-4, and all the products were characterized in the solid state and solution. Crystal structural analysis of the title compounds revealed significant templating roles of the alkylammonium cations as both space-filling agents and hydrogen-bonding donors, suggesting the structure-directing mechanism for the species formation and crystal growth. The design and optimization of multistep structural conversion upon templating effects would be beneficial for drawing rational, predictable pathways for inorganic synthesis.

A series of new hybrid chalcogenogermanates: the rare examples of chalcogenogermanates combined with trivalent vanadium complexes

A series of new hybrid chalcogenogermanates [Mn₂(en)₄Ge₂S₆]_n (1, en = ethylenediamine), [Mn₂(dap)₄Ge₂S₆]_n (2, dap = 1,2-diaminopropane), [H₂dien]_n[MnGeS₄]_n (3, dien = diethylenetriamine), [V(en)₂(ea)]₂[Ge₂Se₆] (4, Hea = ethanolamine), [V(teta)(ea)]₂[Ge₂Se₆] (5, teta = triethylenetetramine) and [V₂(en)₆(μ-O)][Ge₂Se₆] (6) were solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 contain dimeric [Ge₂S₆]^4- anions and [Mn(en)₂]²⁺/[Mn(dap)₂]²⁺ complex cations, which are interconnected to generate 1-D neutral chain-like structures [Mn₂(en)₄Ge₂S₆]_n and [Mn₂(dap)₄Ge₂S₆]_n, respectively. 3 consists of a protonated H₂dien²⁺ cation and a 1-D straight chain built from [MnS₄] and [GeS₄] tetrahedra sharing opposite edges, and is the only example of a chelating amine uncoordinated to a transition metal ion. Both 4 and 5 consist of [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anions constructed by two [GeSe₄] tetrahedra sharing a common edge and discrete complex cations [V(en)₂(ea)]²⁺/[V(teta)(ea)]²⁺. 6 is composed of a [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion and dinuclear complex cation [V₂(en)₆(μ-O)]⁴⁺ containing an en molecule as a rare monodentate ligand. Although some selenidogermanates with transition metal complexes have been successfully prepared, no selenidogermanates with trivalent vanadium complexes have been documented. Therefore, 4-6 offer the first examples of selenidogermanates with trivalent vanadium complexes under solvothermal conditions. Their optical and photocurrent response properties were studied.

Bis[3,3'-(piperazine-1,4-di-yl)-dipropan-aminium] di-μ(2)-sulfido-bis-[disulfido-german-ate(IV)]

In the title compound, (C(10)H(26)N(4))(2)[Ge(2)S(6)], the dimeric [Ge(2)S(6)](4-) anion formed by two edge-sharing GeS(4) tetra-hedral units lies around an inversion centre. The average terminal and bridging Ge-S bond lengths are 2.162 (7) and 2.267 (15) Å, respectively. The inorganic anions and organic cations are organized into a three-dimensional network by numerous N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds.

Bis{2,2'-[(2-amino-eth-yl)aza-nedi-yl]diethanaminium} di-μ-sulfido-bis-(disulfido-germanate)

In the title compound, (C₆H₂₀N₄)₂[Ge₂S₆], the dimeric [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ anion is formed by two edge-sharing GeS₄ tetra­hedral units. The average terminal and bridging Ge—S bond lengths are 2.158 (14) and 2.276 (6) Å, respectively. The anions and the diprotonated ammonium cations are organized into a three-dimensional network by N—H⋯S and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

From One-Dimensional Chains to Three-Dimensional Networks: Solvothermal Synthesis of Thiogallates in Ethylenediamine

Five new thiogallates have been prepared solvothermally in the presence of ethylenediamine and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. [enH2][Ga4S7(en)2] (1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with lattice parameters a = 12.8698(12) angstroms, b = 10.4812(9) angstroms, c = 16.5473(14) angstroms and beta = 102.457(4) degrees (Z = 4), exhibits a layered structure in which both covalently and hydrogen-bonded template molecules coexist. The structures of [M(en)3](0.5)[GaS2] (M = Mn (2) (orthorhombic, Cmcm, a = 9.5555(6) angstroms, b = 15.0696(10) angstroms, c = 12.2893(7) angstroms, Z = 8) M = Co (3) (orthorhombic, Cmcm, a = 9.4660(7) angstroms, b = 15.0990(11) angstroms, c = 12.2540(8) angstroms, Z = 8), M = Ni (4) (orthorhombic, Cmcm, a = 9.4510(10) angstroms, b = 15.1416(15) angstroms, c = 12.2387(11) angstroms, Z = 8)) and Mn(en)2Ga2S4 (5) (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 14.3002(11) angstroms, b = 7.9509(5) angstroms, c = 12.1184(6) angstroms, beta = 100.191(4) degrees , Z = 4) are closely related and contain one-dimensional [GaS2]- chains, which are separated by [M(en)3]2+ counterions in 2, 3, and 4, and linked into a three-dimensional structure by [Mn(en)2]2+ units in 5.