Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
GeO2 natrolite-type infinite four and eight R-containing layers in a 2D pure-Ge framework: Ge3O5(OH)4[C2N2H10]
Natalia Snejko1, Manuela E Medina, Enrique Gutierrez-Puebla
1Institute of Material Science of Madrid, CSIC, Cantoblanco, Spain.
Abstract:
A new two-dimensional framework germanate, Ge3O5(OH)4[C2N2H10] (denoted ICMM-8), with a 3:9 Ge:O ratio has been synthesized, using a mixture of pyridine, water, and ethanol as the solvent and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and ethylenediamine as the structure-directing agents, under solvothermal conditions. The structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In this new compound, the GeO2 natrolite-type infinite four and eight R-containing layers appears for the first time in a pure GeO2 framework. The total 2D structure is built up from SBU-6, four tetrahedra, and two octahedra. The hydroxyl groups occupy four positions of each octahedral germanium atom. The compound is characterized by IR spectra and TGA-DTA. Crystal data: Ge3O5(OH)4[C2N2H10], monoclinic space group P2(1)/c; a = 11.3570(9) Angstroms, b = 8.8819(7) Angstroms, c = 9.9200(8) Angstroms, beta = 90.710(1), V = 1000.6(1) Angstroms(3), Z = 4, R(1) = 0.044 (I > 2(I)), and wR(2) = 0.1051 (all data).
Related Concept Videos
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Network Covalent Solids
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
Coordination Number and Geometry
The Seven Crystal Systems: Overview
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...

