NaGaS2: An Elusive Layered Compound with Dynamic Water Absorption and Wide-Ranging Ion-Exchange Properties

Most ternary sulfides belonging to the MGaS₂ structure-type have been known for many years and are well-characterized. Surprisingly, there have been no reports of the NaGaS₂ composition, which contains Na, a monovalent cation slightly larger in size than Li, found in LiGaS₂, a compound known for its non-linear optical properties. Now it is demonstrated for the first time that the unique reversible water absorption in NaGaS₂ has resulted in its absence from previous reports owing to difficulties encountered when characterizing this compound by SC XRD. The layered structure of this compound coupled with uniquely easy migration of water molecules between the layers allows for ion exchange with 3d and 5f metal cations. Some cations, for example, Ni²⁺, facilitate exfoliation of the layers, providing a facile synthetic route to a new class of 2D chalcogenide materials and furthermore demonstrating that NaGaS₂ can readily uptake uranyl species from aqueous solutions.     

A three‐dimensional polymeric potassium complex of 5‐sulfonobenzene‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid: poly[μ‐aqua‐aqua‐μ9‐(2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoato)‐dipotassium(I)]

The asymmetric unit in the structure of the title compound, [K₂(C₉H₄O₉S)(H₂O)₂]_n, consists of two eight‐coordinated K^I cations, one 2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoate dianion (H₂SBTC²⁻), one bridging water molecule and one terminal coordinated water molecule. One K^I cation is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms and three sulfonate O atoms from four H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by two bridging water molecules. The second K^I cation is coordinated by four sulfonate O atoms and three carboxylate O atoms from five H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by one terminal coordinated water molecule. The K^I cations are linked by sulfonate groups to give a one‐dimensional inorganic chain with cage‐like K₄(SO₃)₂ repeat units. These one‐dimensional chains are bridged by one of the carboxylic acid groups of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligand to form a two‐dimensional layer, and these layers are further linked by the remaining carboxylate groups and the benzene rings of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands to generate a three‐dimensional framework. The compound displays a photoluminescent emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 358 nm. In addition, the thermal stability of the title compound has been studied.     

[{Na(7‐Nitro‐5‐sulfonate‐naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxy‐acid (H2O)2}·H2O]n: A Water‐Soluble 2D Layer Polymeric Complex with Microporous Molecular Channels

The X‐ray crystallographic studies are reported for a water‐soluble sodium complex of organic acid, {[Na(NSNDC)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, (NSNDC = 7‐Nitro‐5‐sulfonate‐napthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxy‐acid). It contains layers of vertically oriented NNSDC‐anions sandwiching cations and water molecules. The rows of anions are linked in a direction by sodium ions and along b by hydrogen bonding, which have microporous channels (9.410 × 3.210Ų) along the crystallographic b‐axis. Considering the Na coordination environments, π‐π stacking interaction between aryl ring and hydrogen bonds, the title compound represents a stably 2D infinitely extended structure.     

Bis[tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cobalt(II)] cyclo‐tetravanadate undecahydrate

The title compound, [Co(C₁₀H₈N₂)₃]₂[V₄O₁₂]·11H₂O, is composed of two symmetry‐related cations containing octahedrally coordinated Co^II ions, a centrosymmetric [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ anion with an eight‐membered ring structure made up of four VO₄ tetrahedra, and 11 solvent water molecules. The Co^II cations and vanadate anions are isolated and build cation and anion layers, respectively. In addition, the title compound exhibits a three‐dimensional network through intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen‐bond interactions between water molecules and O atoms of the anions, and the crystal structure is stabilized mainly by hydrogen bonds.     

Poly[[tetraaqua(μ7‐pyridine‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylato)dicadmium(II)] monohydrate]

The title compound, {[Cd₂(C₉HNO₈)(H₂O)₄]·H₂O}_n, consists of two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, one tetrabasic pyridine‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylate (pdtc) anion, four coordinated water molecules and one solvent water molecule. The Cd^II cations have distorted square‐antiprismatic (one pyridine N, six carboxylate O and one water O atom) and octahedral (three carboxylate O and three water O atoms) coordination environments. Each pdtc ligand employs its pyridine and carboxylate groups to chelate and bridge seven Cd^II cations. The square‐antiprismatic coordinated Cd^II cations are linked by pdtc ligands into a lamellar framework structure, while the octahedral coordinated Cd^II cations are bridged by the μ₂‐carboxylate O atoms and the pdtc ligands into a chain network that further joins neighbouring lamellae into a three‐dimensional porous network. The cavities are filled with solvent water molecules that are linked to the host through complex hydrogen bonding.     

A two‐dimensional coordination polymer containing a two‐dimensional zinc–carboxylate layer constructed from helical chains: poly[(μ4‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato)zinc(II)]

The title compound, [Zn(C₈H₄O₄)]_n, consists of one Zn^II cation and one benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate dianion (BDC²⁻) as the building unit. The Zn^II cation is four‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four dianionic BDC²⁻ ligands in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The Zn^II cations are linked by the BDC²⁻ ligands to generate a structure featuring two‐dimensional zinc–carboxylate layers containing left‐ and right‐handed helical chains. The two‐dimensional layers are stacked along the a direction. The thermal stability of the title compound has been studied.     

dl‐Alaninium semi‐oxalate monohydrate

The structure of the title compound, C₃H₈NO₂⁺·C₂HO₄⁻·H₂O, is formed by two chiral counterparts (l ‐ and d ‐alaninium cations), semi‐oxalate anions and water molecules, with a 1:1:1 cation–anion–water ratio. The structure is compared with that of the previously known anhydrous dl ‐alaninium semi‐oxalate [Subha Nandhini, Krishnakumar & Natarajan (2001). Acta Cryst. E 57 , o666–o668] in order to investigate the role of water molecules in the crystal packing. The structure of the hydrate resembles that of anhydrous alaninium semi‐oxalate, with the water molecule incorporated into the general three‐dimensional network of hydrogen bonds where it forms four hydrogen bonds with neighbours disposed tetrahedrally about it. Although the main structural motifs in the hydrate and in the anhydrous form are topologically similar, the incorporation of water molecules in the network results in significant geometric distortion. There are several types of hydrogen bond in the crystal structure of the hydrate, two of which (O—H...O bonds between the semi‐oxalate anions and O—H...O hydrogen bonds between water and alaninium cations) are very short. Such hydrogen bonds between semi‐oxalate anions are also present in the anhydrous form of this compound. Short distances between semi‐oxalate anions in neighbouring chains in the hydrate alternate with longer ones, whereas in the anhydrous structure they are equidistant. Despite the similarity of these compounds, dehydration of the hydrate on storage is not of a single‐crystal to single‐crystal type, but gives a polycrystalline pseudomorph, preserving the crystal habit. This transformation proceeds through the formation of an intermediate compound, presumably a hemihydrate.     

Three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework in bis(melamin‐1‐ium) naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate melamine pentahydrate

Crystals of the title compound, 2C₃H₇N₆⁺·C₁₀H₆O₆S₂²⁻·C₃H₆N₆·5H₂O, are built up of neutral 2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine (melamine), singly protonated melaminium cations, naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate dianions and water molecules. Two independent anions lie across centres of inversion in the space group P. The melamine molecules are connected by N—H...N hydrogen bonds into two different one‐dimensional polymers almost parallel to the (010) plane, forming a stacking structure along the b axis. The centrosymmetric naphthalene‐1,5‐disulfonate anions interact with water molecules via O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the (001) plane. The cations and anions are connected by N—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular framework.     

Bis(2,3‐di­methyl­quinoxalinium) tribromo­cuprate(I)

The title compound, (C₁₀H₁₁N₂)₂[CuBr₃], contains layers of planar monoprotonated cations. Isolated trigonal–planar [CuBr₃]^2? anions are hydrogen bonded to cations in adjacent layers, providing three‐dimensional stability to the crystal structure.     

Three‐dimensional networks in the 1:2 organic salts 2,2′‐biimidazolium bis(3‐carboxy‐4‐hydroxybenzenesulfonate) and 2,2′‐bibenzimidazolium bis(3‐carboxy‐4‐hydroxybenzenesulfonate) trihydrate

The two title compounds of 2,2′‐biimidazole (Bim) with 5‐sulfosalicylic acid (5‐H₂SSA) and 2,2′‐bibenzimidazole (Bbim) with 5‐H₂SSA are 1:2 organic salts, viz. C₆H₈N₄²⁺·2C₇H₅O₆S⁻, (I), and C₁₄H₁₂N₄²⁺·2C₇H₅O₆S⁻·3H₂O, (II). The cation of compound (I) lies on a centre of inversion, whereas that of (II) lies on a twofold axis. Whilst compound (I) is anhydrous, three water molecules are incorporated into the crystal structure of (II). The substitution of imidazole H atoms by other chemical groups may favour the incorporation of water molecules into the crystal structure. In both compounds, the component cations and anions adopt a homogeneous arrangement, forming alternating cation and anion layers which run parallel to the (001) plane in (I) and to the (100) plane in (II). By a combination of N—H...O, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, the ions in both compounds are linked into three‐dimensional networks. In addition, π–π interactions are observed between symmetry‐related benzene rings of Bbim²⁺ cations in (II).     

1,3‐Benzothia­zole‐6‐carboxamidinium chloride dihydrate

The title compound, C₈H₈N₃S⁺·Cl⁻·2H₂O, has been synthesized and characterized both spectroscopically and structurally. The structure consists of 1,3‐benzothia­zole‐6‐carboxamidinium cations, chloride anions and water mol­ecules, all interconnected by hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional network. The 1,3‐benzo­thia­zole moiety is inclined to the 6‐­amidine group by 36.71 (9)°.     

Bis(1,3,4‐trimethylpyridinium) tetrachloridocuprate(II) and bis(1,3,4‐trimethylpyridinium) tetrabromidocuprate(II): an examination of the A2CuX4Fdd2 structure type

The title bis(1,3,4‐trimethylpyridinium) tetrahalidocuprate(II) structures, (C₈H₁₂N)₂[CuCl₄], (I), and (C₈H₁₂N)₂[CuBr₄], (II), respectively, consist of flattened [CuX₄]²⁻ tetrahedral complex anions and planar 1,3,4‐trimethylpyridinium cations. Chloride compound (I) is a rare example of an A₂CuCl₄ structure with an elongated unit cell in the polar space group Fdd2. The [CuCl₄]²⁻ anions have twofold rotational symmetry and are arranged in distorted hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) layers, which are interleaved with layers of cations, each in a four‐layer repeat sequence, to generate the elongated axis. The organic cations stack along [101] or [10] in alternating layers. The methyl groups meta on the cation ring and the larger of the trans Cl—Cu—Cl angles both face the same direction along the polar axis and are the most prominent features determining the polarity of the structure. Bromide compound (II) crystallizes in a centrosymmetric structure with a similar layer structure but with only a two‐layer repeat sequence. Here, symmetry‐inequivalent cations are segregated into alternating layers with cations, forming hcp layers of inversion‐related cation pairs in one layer and parallel stacks of cations in the other. The change in space group when the larger Br⁻ ion is present suggests that the 1,3,4‐trimethylpyridinium ion has a minimal size to allow the Fdd2 A₂CuX₄ structure type.     

Bis{tris[(1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium‐2‐yl)methyl]amine} tetraaquaocta‐μ2‐chlorido‐octachloridopentacadmate(II) monohydrate

The title compound, (C₂₄H₂₄N₇)₂[Cd₅Cl₁₆(H₂O)₄]·H₂O, contains a [Cd₅Cl₁₆(H₂O)₄]⁶⁻ anion, two triply protonated tris[(1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium‐2‐yl)methyl]amine cations and one solvent water molecule. The structure of the anion is a novel chloride‐bridged pentanuclear cluster. The five unique Cd^II centres have quite different coordination environments. Two of the central hexacoordinated Cd^II cations have a CdOCl₅ chromophore, in which each Cd^II cation is ligated by four bridging chloride ligands, one terminal chloride ligand and one water molecule, adopting a distorted octahedral environment. The third central Cd^II cation is octahedrally coordinated by four bridging chloride ligands and two water molecules. Finally, the two terminal Cd^II cations are pentacoordinated by two bridging and three terminal chloride ligands and adopt a trigonal–bipyramidal geometry. A three‐dimensional supramolecular network is formed through intra‐ and intermolecular O—H...O, O—H...Cl, N—H...Cl and N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between the cations and anions.<!?tpb=20.6pt>     

A two‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer based on 5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalic acid: poly[[tetraaquabis[μ3‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalato]dicadmium(II)] pentahydrate]

The title Cd^II compound, {[Cd₂(C₁₃H₇NO₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·5H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and 5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalic acid (H₂L). The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, two deprotonated L²⁻ ligands, four coordinated water molecules and five isolated water molecules. One of the Cd^II cations adopts a six‐coordinate octahedral coordination geometry involving three O atoms from one bidentate chelating and one monodentate carboxylate group of two different L²⁻ ligands, one N atom of another L²⁻ ligand and two coordinated water molecules. The second Cd^II cation adopts a seven‐coordinate pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry involving four O atoms from two bidentate chelating carboxylate groups of two different L²⁻ ligands, one N atom of another L²⁻ ligand and two coordinated water molecules. Each L²⁻ ligand bridges three Cd^II cations and, likewise, each Cd^II cation connects to three L²⁻ ligands, giving rise to a two‐dimensional graphite‐like 6³ layer structure. These two‐dimensional layers are further linked by O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The photoluminescence properties of the title compound were also investigated.     

2‐[6‐(1H‐Benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐pyridyl]‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium perchlorate monohydrate

The title compound, C₁₉H₁₄N₅⁺·ClO₄^?·H₂O, contains planar C₁₉H₁₄N₅⁺ cations, perchlorate anions and water mol­ecules. The two closest parallel cations (plane‐to‐plane distance of 3.41 Å), together with two neighbouring perchlorate anions and two water mol­ecules, form an electrically neutral quasi‐dimeric unit. Two acidic H atoms of the cation, both H atoms of the water mol­ecule, the N atoms of the imidazole rings and three of the four O atoms of the perchlorate anion are involved in the hydrogen‐bonding network within the dimeric unit. The remaining third acidic H atom of the imidazole rings and the water mol­ecules complete a two‐dimensional network of hydrogen bonds, thus forming puckered layers of dimers. The angle between the planes of two neighbouring dimeric units in the same layer is 33.25 (3)°.     

Tris(ethyl­ene­diamine)­nickel(II) bis­[2‐cyano‐2‐(oxidoimino)­acetamidato]­nickelate(II) monohydrate

The title compound, [Ni(C₂H₈N₂)₃][Ni(C₃HN₃O₂)₂]·H₂O, appears to be a modular associate consisting of two complex counter‐ions, containing bivalent nickel as the central atom in both cases, and a solvent water mol­ecule. The Ni^II ion in the complex cation lies on the C₂ crystallographic axis. Its coordination environment is formed by six N atoms of three ethyl­ene­diamine (en) mol­ecules, representing a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The Ni^II ion in the complex anion occupies a position at the center of inversion. It exhibits a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry formed by four N atoms belonging to the deprotonated oxidoimine and amide groups of the two doubly charged 2‐cyano‐2‐(oxidoimino)acetamidate anions, situated in trans positions with respect to each other. In the crystal packing, the complex anions are linked by water mol­ecules via hydrogen bonds between the amide O atoms and water H atoms, forming chains translated along the a direction. The [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ cations fill empty spaces between the translational chains, connecting them by hydrogen bonds between the oxime and amide O atoms of the anions and the amine H atoms of the cations, forming layers along the ac plane. The water mol­ecules provide connection between layers through N atoms of the cations, thus forming a three‐dimensional modular structure.     

Hierarchy of hydrogen bonding in bis­(1,4,7‐trioxa‐10‐azoniacyclo­dodecane) bis­(4‐amino­benzoate) trihydrate

In the title compound, 2C₈H₁₈NO₃⁺·2C₇H₆NO₂⁻·3H₂O, proton transfer occurs from the carboxylic acid group of the 4‐amino­benzoic acid (PABA) mol­ecule to the amine group of the macrocycle, resulting in the formation of a salt‐like adduct. The anions are combined into helical chains which are further bound by the water mol­ecules into sheets. The macrocyclic cations are situated between these layers and are bound to the anions both directly and via bridging water mol­ecules. The structure exhibits a diverse system of hydrogen bonding.     

Coordination behaviour and two‐dimensional‐network formation in poly[[μ‐aqua‐diaqua(μ5‐propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetato)dilithium(I)cobalt(II)] dihydrate]: the first example of an MII–1,3‐pdta complex with a monovalent metal counter‐ion

The title compound, {[CoLi₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, constitutes the first example of a salt of the [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex (1,3‐pdta is propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetate) with a monopositive cation as counter‐ion. Insertion of the Li⁺ cation could only be achieved through application of the ion‐exchange column technique which, however, appeared unsuccessful with other alkali metals and the ammonium cation. The structure contains two tetrahedrally coordinated Li⁺ cations, an octahedral [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ anion and five water molecules, two of which are uncoordinated, and is built of two‐dimensional layers extending parallel to the (010) lattice plane, the constituents of which are connected by the coordinate bonds. O—H_water...O hydrogen bonds operate both within and between these layers. The crystal investigated belongs to the enantiomeric space group P2₁ with only one (Λ) of two possible optical isomers of the [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex. A possible cause of enantiomer separation during crystallization might be the rigidification and polarization of the [M(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ core, resulting from direct coordination of Li⁺ cations to three out of four carboxylate groups constituting the 1,3‐pdta ligand. The structure of (I) differs considerably from those of the other [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complexes, in which the charge compensation is realized by means of divalent hexaaqua complex cations. This finding demonstrates a significant structure‐determining role of the counter‐ions.     

{[Ba2(C2O4)(H2O)6](NCS)2}n: a layered mixed‐anion barium oxalate

We present the first example of a compound containing Ba²⁺, C₂O₄²⁻, water and some additional halide or pseudo‐halide anions, viz. hexa‐μ₂‐aqua‐μ₆‐oxalato‐dibarium(II) diiso­thio­cyanate, {[Ba₂(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₆](NCS)₂}_n. The structure consists of positively charged planar covalent layers of Ba²⁺ cations, oxalate anions and water mol­ecules. The first coordination sphere of the Ba²⁺ cation contains six water mol­ecules and four O atoms from two planar oxalate anions. The oxalate anion lies on an inversion centre and is coordinated to six Ba²⁺ cations, each donor O atom being bonded to two cations. Pairs of water mol­ecules are coordinated by two Ba²⁺ cations. The layers are interspersed with non‐coordinated NCS⁻ anions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of a two‐dimensional cyanide‐based heterometallic coordination polymer with cationic piperazinium ligands: poly[aquatetra‐μ2‐cyanido‐κ8C:N‐dicyanido‐κ2C‐(piperazinium‐κN4)cobalt(III)copper(II)]

Cyanide as a bridge can be used to construct homo‐ and heterometallic complexes with intriguing structures and interesting magnetic properties. These ligands can generate diverse structures, including clusters, one‐dimensional chains, two‐dimensional layers and three‐dimensional frameworks. The title cyanide‐bridged Cu^II–Co^III heterometallic compound, [Cu^IICo^III(CN)₆(C₄H₁₁N₂)(H₂O)]_n, has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, magnetic measurement, thermal study, vibrational spectroscopy (FT–IR) and scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). The crystal structure analysis revealed that it has a two‐dimensional grid‐like structure built up of [Cu(Hpip)(H₂O)]³⁺ cations (Hpip is piperazinium) and [Co(CN)₆]³⁻ anions that are linked through bridging cyanide ligands. The overall three‐dimensional supramolecular network is expanded by a combination of interlayer O—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the coordinated water molecules and the N atoms of the nonbridging cyanide groups and monodentate cationic piperazinium ligands. A magnetic investigation shows that antiferromagnetic interactions exist in the title compound.