Synthesis and Structure of KBGe2O6: the first chiral zeotype borogermanate with 7-ring channels.

Abstract

Among the known zeolite topologies, odd rings are rare with the exception of 5-ring. We report here the hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a novel compound, KBGe(2)O(6), the first germanate-based zeotype material with 7-ring channels. It crystallized in the orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (No. 19), a = 4.8037(3) A, b = 10.2063(7) A, c = 10.7402(10) A, V = 526.57(5) A(3), Z = 3. The framework topology of this compound is previous unknown with the vertex symbol 4.6.4.6.6.7(2)(vertex1), 4.6.4.6.6.7(2)(vertex2), and 6.6.6.6.6(2) x 7(2)(vertex3). It is worth noting that the structure of the compound is chiral containing helices condensed from GeO(4) tetrahedra, which arrange around 2(1) screw axes. Furthermore, the K(+) ions within the channels are mobile and can be partially ion-exchanged with Na(+) at room temperature.