Surfactant-Thermal Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Mn–Ge–Sulfides/Selenides

Crystalline chalcogenidometalate-based compounds from uncommon reaction media

Chalcogenides are one of the most versatile inorganic materials families, further subdivided into a large variety of specific groups of compounds, ranging from neat binary or multinary solids and nanoparticles of the same formal compositions, both in crystalline or non-crystalline form, to complicated open-framework structures and cluster compounds, also including organ(ometall)ic derivates of the latter. The large variety regarding both the compositions and the structures is associated with an enormous variety of properties, ranging from simple or high-tech pigments through a multitude of opto-electronic devices and electrolytes to materials for ion separation or high-sophisticated catalysts. Naturally, this also goes hand in hand with a corrosponding breadth of synthesis strategies. Traditionally, chalcogenides have been accessed via high-temperature methods, which continuously have been replaced by lower-temperature approaches for economical and ecological reasons. Moreover, more recent methods also showed that new types of chalcogenide materials can be obtained under such milder conditions that are not accessible via traditional routes. To shed light onto one of the numerous families of chalcogenides, this feature article summarizes current achievements in the generation of multinary chalcogenidometallate-based clusters and networks via non-classical routes, using ionic liquids, surfactants, or hydrazine as reaction media at moderately elevated termperature.

A Discrete Ligand-Free T3 Supertetrahedral Cluster of Gallium Sulfide

Large discrete supertetrahedral clusters of metal chalcogenides are rare due to the difficulty of crystallizing solids in which the negative charge of the cluster is balanced by the positive charges of the countercations. Here, we describe a discrete ligand-free T3 supertetrahedral cluster, [Ga10S16(SH)4]6-, which was successfully synthesized in the presence of the superbase 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) using the neutral surfactant polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-400 as the reaction solvent. Protonated DBUH+ cations are incorporated into the crystal structure of the product, which can be formulated as [C9H17N2]6[Ga10S16(SH)4]. This compound, which represents the first example of a discrete ligand-free T3 cluster of gallium sulfide, was fully characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance. The results presented here indicate that the use of surfactants as solvents offers potential for the preparation of new compounds containing supertetrahedral clusters.

Cotemplating Assembly and Structural Variation of Three-Dimensional Open-Framework Sulfides

Open-framework sulfides (H₃O)KCu₆Ge₂S₈ (1) and (H₃O)RbCu₆Ge₂S₈ (2) were prepared by a cotemplating strategy. This shows that alkali-metal and protonated water cations act as cotemplates to direct the three-dimensional open-framework sulfides. These templates direct two types of one-dimensional channels that arrange parallelly, and different types of templates reside in different types of channels. By introduction of the Cs cation into the synthetic systems of 1 and 2, (H₃O)K_0.6Cs_0.4Cu₆Ge₂S₈ (3) and (H₃O)Rb_0.75Cs_0.25Cu₆Ge₂S₈ (4) were obtained. Compound 3 has a different anionic framework from those of 1 and 2, while 4 is isostructural with 1 and 2.

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.

Recent advances in the self-assembly of polynuclear metal–selenium and –tellurium compounds from 14–16 reagents

The use of reagents containing bonds between group 14 elements and Se or Te for the self-assembly of polynuclear metal–chalcogen compounds is covered. Background material is briefly reviewed and examples from the literature are highlighted from the period 2007–2017. Emphasis is placed on the different classes of 14–16 precursors and their application in the targeted synthesis of metal–chalcogen compounds. The unique properties arising from the combination of specific 14–16 precursors, metal atoms, and ancillary ligands are also described. Selected examples are chosen to underline the progress in (i) controlled synthesis of heterometallic (ternary) chalcogen clusters, (ii) chalcogen clusters with organic functionalized surfaces, and (iii) crystalline open-framework metal chalcogenides.

A Series of Lanthanide Selenidogermanates: The First Coexistence of Three Types of Selenidogermanate Units in the Same Architecture

A series of lanthanide selenidogermanates, (H₂peha)[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl₂]{[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)}[Ge₂Se₆]Cl₂ [Ln = Y (1a) and Er (1b); peha = pentaethylenexamine, tepa = tetraethylenepentamine], [Sm₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (2), [Ho₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (3), and [Ce₄(tepa)₄(μ-GeSe₄)(μ-GeSe₅)(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (4), were made under solvothermal conditions. Compounds 1a and 1b contain a protonated H₂peha²⁺ ion, the complex cation [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl₂]²⁺, a [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion, free Cl^- ions, and a {[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)}²⁺ cation constructed by two unsaturated [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]³⁺ groups connecting via the trans terminal Se atoms of the [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion, which provides the first example of an organic decorated lanthanide selenidogermanate cation. Both compounds 2 and 3 contain one-dimensional chains [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n constructed by a combination of unsaturated complex cations [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂]⁴⁺ and [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anions, but their stacking patterns of neutral chains are different. Compound 4 contains one-dimensional chain [Ce₄(tepa)₄(μ-GeSe₄)(μ-GeSe₅)(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n, where three different selenidogermanate units acting as bridging ligands connect unsaturated [Ce(tepa)]³⁺ ions. Compound 4 represents the first example of the coexistence of three different selenidogermanate anions in the same architecture. Their optical properties are studied, and the magnetic properties of compounds 1b and 2-4 are also investigated.

New synthetic strategies to prepare metal–organic frameworks

This critical review summarizes the recent developments in the application of new synthetic strategies for preparing MOFs, including the ionothermal method, deep eutectic solvent usage, surfactant-thermal process, and mechanochemistry.

Metal sulfide ion exchangers: superior sorbents for the capture of toxic and nuclear waste-related metal ions

Metal sulfide ion-exchangers (MSIEs) have emerged as a new class of promising sorbents for the removal of toxic and radioactive metals from wastewater.

Metal sulfide ion-exchangers (MSIEs) represent a new addition to the field of ion exchange materials. This is a growing class of materials that display exceptional selectivity and rapid sorption kinetics for soft or relatively soft metal ions as a result of their soft basic frameworks. Without requiring functionalization, they outperform the most efficient sulfur-functionalized materials. This is the first review focusing on this class of materials; it covers the most important MSIEs, focusing on their synthesis, structural features and ion-exchange chemistry. Furthermore, recent developments in the engineered and composite forms of MSIEs are described. Future research opportunities are also discussed in the hope of inspiring additional scientists to engage in this new area of research on sulfidic ion-exchange materials.

A surfactant-thermal method to prepare crystalline thioantimonate for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

A novel crystalline thioantimonate prepared by a surfactant-thermal strategy demonstrates high performance as an anode material for Li-ion batteries.

Threading chalcogenide layers with polymer chains

Inserting polymers into a crystalline inorganic matrix to understand the structure, position, and the structure-property relationships of the resulting composites is important for designing new inorganic-organic materials and tuning their properties. Single crystals of polymer-chalcogenide composites were successfully prepared by trapping polyethyleneglycol within a selenidostannate matrix under surfactant-thermal conditions. This work might provide a new strategy for preparing novel crystalline polymer-inorganic composites through encapsulating polymer chains within inorganic matrices.

[Mn(dien)2]MnSnS4, [Mn(1,2-dap)]2Sn2S6 and [Mn(en)2]MnGeS4: from 1D anionic and neutral chains to 3D neutral frameworks

Three new organic–inorganic hybrid manganese thiogermanates and thiostannates with 1D anionic or neutral chains and 3D neutral frameworks have been synthesized and feature interesting antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic properties.