An open-framework silicogermanate with 26-ring channels built from seven-coordinated (Ge,Si)10(O,OH)28 clusters

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Crystallography

Background:

• Open-framework materials offer tunable properties for various applications.
• Silicogermanates are a class of compounds with potential for novel structures.
• The Ge10 cluster is a known building block in germanate chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the synthesis and structure of a novel silicogermanate material.
• To investigate the incorporation of silicon into Ge10 clusters.
• To explore the structural versatility of germanate-based frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structure determination.
• Synthesis of the silicogermanate SU-61.
• Analysis of cluster coordination and framework topology.

Main Results:

• Discovery of SU-61, a silicogermanate with a low framework density and 26-ring channels.
• Successful incorporation of approximately 21% silicon into Ge10 clusters.
• Identification of seven-coordinated Ge10 clusters forming the osf net.

Conclusions:

• SU-61 represents a crystalline analogue to mesoporous silica MCM-41.
• The germanate system demonstrates versatility in creating defined topologies through cluster assembly.
• This work highlights the potential of net decoration and scale chemistry principles in designing new materials.