The influence of extraframework cations on the behavior of K-exchanged gonnardite at high pressure

The behavior of K-exchanged gonnardite K_2.18Na_0.04Ca_0.02(H₂O)_2.2[Al_2.26Si_2.74O₁₀] at compression in penetrating water-containing medium was studied by synchrotron powder diffraction in diamond anvil cell. In contrast to the initial gonnardite, which exhibits the transition to high-hydrated paranatrolite at elevated humidity, its K-exchanged form is not capable of over-hydration even at high pressure. Within the whole studied pressure range (up to 4.8 GPa) the sample experiences the compression. At 3.5-4 GPa the compression anomaly is observed, which is interpreted as a phase transition accompanied by the symmetry lowering from tetragonal to monoclinic. The high-pressure structure evolution of K-exchanged forms of gonnardite and natrolite is compared; the difference in their behavior is explained by distinct configuration of the framework water-cation subsystem.     

Kinetics of self-diffusion of water molecules in natrolite

Solid-state ¹H NMR is applied to investigate the kinetics of diffusion of H₂O molecules in the fibrous zeolite natrolite [Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀]?2H₂O. It is found that the stepwise heating of the zeolite in air leads to the following pattern of molecular diffusion jumps: at first they increase in number and then decrease exponentially with time. Conducting such an experiment in an aqueous medium leads to the opposite effect. The results obtained confirm our previous suggestion about the importance of interstitial defects, or overhydrated local states, in molecular diffusion.     

Nanoscale Control of Polyoxometalate Assembly: A {Mn8W4} Cluster within a {W36Si4Mn10} Cluster Showing a New Type of Isomerism

Two near isomeric clusters containing a novel {Mn₈W₄} Keggin cluster within a [W₃₆Mn₁₀Si₄O₁₃₆(OH)₄(H₂O)8]^24? cluster are reported: K₁₀Li₁₄ [W₃₆Si₄O₁₃₆Mn^II₁₀(OH)₄(H₂O)₈] ( 1 ) and K₁₀Li1_3.5Mn_0.25[W₃₆Si₄O₁₃₆Mn^II₁₀(OH)₄(H₂O)₈] ( 1′ ). Bulk characterization of the clusters has been carried out by single crystal X‐ray structure analysis, ICP‐MS, TGA, ESI‐MS, CV and SQUID‐magnetometer analysis. X‐ray analysis revealed that 1′ has eight positions within the central Keggin core that were disordered W/Mn whereas 1 contained no such disorder. This subtle difference is due to a differences is how the two clusters assemble and recrystallize from the same mother liquor and represents a new type of isomerism. The rapid recrystallization process was captured via digital microscopy and this uncovered two “intermediate” types of crystal which formed temporarily and provided nucleation sites for the final clusters to assemble. The intermediates were investigated by single crystal X‐ray analysis and revealed to be novel clusters K₄Li₂₂[W₃₆Si₄Mn₇O₁₃₆(H₂O)₈]?56 H₂O ( 2 ) and Mn₂K₈Li₁₄[W₃₆Si₄Mn₇O₁₃₆(H₂O)₈]?45 H₂O ( 3 ). The intermediate clusters contained different yet related building blocks to the final clusters which allowed for the postulation of a mechanism of assembly. This demonstrates a rare example where the use X‐ray crystallography directly facilitated understanding the means by which a POM assembled.     

Super‐Hydrated Zeolites: Pressure‐Induced Hydration in Natrolites

High‐pressure synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction studies of a series of alkali‐metal‐exchanged natrolites, A₁₆Al₁₆Si₂₄O₈₀ ? n H₂O (A=Li, K, Na, Rb, and Cs and n=14, 16, 22, 24, 32), in the presence of water, reveal structural changes that far exceed what can be achieved by varying temperature and chemical composition. The degree of volume expansion caused by pressure‐induced hydration (PIH) is inversely proportional to the non‐framework cation radius. The expansion of the unit‐cell volume through PIH is as large as 20.6 % in Li‐natrolite at 1.0 GPa and decreases to 6.7, 3.8, and 0.3 % in Na‐, K‐, and Rb‐natrolites, respectively. On the other hand, the onset pressure of PIH appears to increase with non‐framework cation radius up to 2.0 GPa in Rb‐natrolite. In Cs‐natrolite, no PIH is observed but a new phase forms at 0.3 GPa with a 4.8 % contracted unit cell and different cation–water configuration in the pores. In K‐natrolite, the elliptical channel undergoes a unique overturn upon the formation of super‐hydrated natrolite K₁₆Al₁₆Si₂₄O₈₀ ? 32 H₂O at 1.0 GPa, a species that reverts back above 2.5 GPa as the potassium ions interchange their locations with those of water and migrate from the hinge to the center of the pores. Super‐hydrated zeolites are new materials that offer numerous opportunities to expand and modify known chemical and physical properties by reversibly changing the composition and structure using pressure in the presence of water.     

Thermal behaviour of some Al(III)-Mg(II) polynuclear coordination compounds with polycarboxylic acid anions as ligands,precursors of aluminates

A TG, DTG and DTA study of three polynuclear coordination compounds,containing Al(III)-Mg(II), namely (NH₄)₄[Al₂Mg(C₄O₅H₄)₄(OH)₄]?2H₂O,(NH₄)₄[MgAl₂(C₄H₄O₆)₄(OH)₄]?3H₂Oand (NH₄)₂[Al₂Mg(C₆O₇H₁₁)₅(OH)₅]?3H₂O,has been reported together with the associated thermal decomposition mechanismrationalized in terms of intermediate products. As decomposition end-product,magnesium-aluminum spinel is obtained. The values of MgAl₂O₄mean crystallite size depend on the anionic ligand contained by the precursorcompound, varying in the order: malate (143 Å) ligand contained by theprecursor compound, varying in the order: malate (143 Å)     

Neue Vertreter des Er6[Si11N20]O‐Strukturtyps Hochtemperatur‐Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen von Ln(6+x/3)[Si(11–y)AlyN(20+x–y)]O(1–x+y) mit Ln = Nd,Er, Yb,Dy und 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3

New Representatives of the Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O Structure Type. High‐Temperature Synthesis and Single‐Crystal Structure Refinement of Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) with Ln = Nd, Er, Yb, Dy and 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3 According to the general formula Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) (0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3) four nitridosilicates, namely Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O, Yb_6.081[Si₁₁N_20.234]O_0.757, Dy_0.33Sm₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]N, and Nd₇[Si₈Al₃N₂₀]O were synthesized in a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures between 1300 and 1650 °C. The homeotypic crystal structures of all four compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The nitridosilicates are trigonal with the following lattice constants: Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O: a = 978.8(4) pm, c = 1058.8(3) pm; Yb_6.081[Si₁₁N_20.243]O_0.757: a = 974.9(1) pm, c = 1055.7(2) pm; Dy_0.33Sm₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]N: a = 989.8(1) pm, c = 1078.7(1) pm; Nd₇[Si₈Al₃N₂₀]O: a = 1004.25(9) pm, c = 1095.03(12) pm. The crystal structures were solved and refined in the space group P31c with Z = 2. The compounds contain three‐dimensional networks built up by corner sharing SiN₄ and AlN₄ tetrahedra, respectively. The Ln³⁺ and the “isolated” O^2– ions are situated in the voids of the structures. According to Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) an extension of the Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O structure type has been found.     

Cation-dependent anomalous compression of gallosilicate zeolites with CGS topology: A high-pressure synchrotron powder diffraction study

The high-pressure compression behaviour of 3 different cation forms of gallosilicate zeolite with CGS topology has been investigated using in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and a diamond-anvil cell technique. Under hydrostatic conditions mediated by a nominally penetrating pressure-transmitting medium, unit-cell lengths and volume compression is modulated by different degrees of pressure-induced hydration and accompanying channel distortion. In a Na-exchanged CGS (Na₁₀Ga₁₀Si₂₂O₆₄·16H₂O), the unit-cell volume expands by ca. 0.6% upon applying hydrostatic pressure to 0.2 GPa, whereas, in an as-synthesized K-form (K₁₀Ga₁₀Si₂₂O₆₄·5H₂O), this initial volume expansion is suppressed to ca. 0.1% at 0.16 GPa. In the early stage of hydrostatic compression below ∼1 GPa, relative decrease in the ellipticity of the non-planar 10-rings is observed, which is then reverted to a gradual increase in the ellipticity at higher pressures above ∼1 GPa, implying a change in the compression mechanism. In a Sr-exchanged sample (Sr₅Ga₁₀Si₂₂O₆₄·19H₂O), on the other hand, no initial volume expansion is observed. Instead, a change in the slope of volume contraction is observed near 1.5 GPa, which leads to a 2-fold increase in the compressibility. This is interpreted as pressure-induced rearrangement of water molecules to facilitate further volume contraction at higher pressures.     

Keggin-type cesium salt of first series transition metal-substituted phosphomolybdates: one-pot easy synthesis,structural, and spectral analysis

The Keggin-type cesium salt of transition metal-substituted phosphomolybdates, Cs₅[PCo(H₂O)Mo₁₁O₃₉]?·?6H₂O (1) and Cs₅[PMn(H₂O)Mo₁₁O₃₉]?·?6H₂O (2), were synthesized from commercially available H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀. The compounds were characterized by thermal, structural, and spectroscopic techniques. X-ray structural analysis reveals that, in these isostructural disordered compounds, the transition metal (Co/Mn) and Mo atoms are distributed over 12 positions. The presence of Co/Mn atoms was confirmed by powder XRD, FT-IR, DR-UV-Vis, ESR, and ³¹P NMR studies.     

Synthesis of α‐Dawson‐Type Silicotungstate [α‐Si2W18O62]8− and Protonation and Deprotonation Inside the Aperture through Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds

The design of structurally well‐defined anionic molecular metal–oxygen clusters, polyoxometalates (POMs), leads to inorganic receptors with unique and tunable properties. Herein, an α‐Dawson‐type silicotungstate, TBA₈[α‐Si₂W₁₈O₆₂] ? 3 H₂O ( II ) that possesses a ?8 charge was successfully synthesized by dimerization of a trivacant lacunary α‐Keggin‐type silicotungstate TBA₄H₆[α‐SiW₉O₃₄] ? 2 H₂O ( I ) in an organic solvent. POM II could be reversibly protonated (in the presence of acid) and deprotonated (in the presence of base) inside the aperture by means of intramolecular hydrogen bonds with retention of the POM structure. In contrast, the aperture of phosphorus‐centered POM TBA₆[α‐P₂W₁₈O₆₂]?H₂O ( III ) was not protonated inside the aperture. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the basicities and charges of internal μ₃‐oxygen atoms were increased by changing the central heteroatoms from P⁵⁺ to Si⁴⁺, thereby supporting the protonation of II . Additionally, II showed much higher catalytic performance for the Knoevenagel condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate with benzaldehyde than I and III .     

Fabrication and Electrochemical Behavior of Vanadium‐Substituted Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalates Multilayer Films on 4‐Aminobenzoic Acid Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Two Vanadium‐substituted Keggin‐type polyoxometalates, K₃H₂[α‐SiVW₁₁O₄₀]?6H₂O (SiVW₁₁) and K₄H₂[γ(1, 2)‐SiV₂W₁₀O₄₀]?4H₂O (SiV₂W₁₀) were first successfully immobilized on 4‐aminobenzoic acid modified glass carbon electrodes respectively by layer‐by‐layer assembly with poly (ethylenimine) (PEI) as counterions. The regular growth processes were monitored by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and it was proved that the multilayer films were uniform and stable. The cyclic voltammetry results indicated that the electrochemical behavior of two multilayer films was similar, and their redox couples are pH‐ and scan rate‐dependent. The multilayer films show favorable electrocatalytic active toward the reduction of NO₂^?, IO₃^? and H₂O₂.     

High-pressure diffraction study of zeolites stilbite and stellerite

The high-pressure behavior of zeolites of the stilbite-stellerite isomorphous series is studied by X-ray powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation in the penetrating (water-containing) medium in a high-pressure cell. At the initial stage (< 2 GPa), orthorhombic stellerite |Ca_3.77(H₂O)₂₈| [Al_7.54Si_28.46O₇₂] shows lower compressibility than monoclinic stilbite |Ca_4.00Na_1.7(H₂O)₃₀| [Al_9.7Si_26.3O₇₂]. Single crystal XRD does not display any significant differences in the behavior of stellerite in the penetrating and nominally non-penetrating media. At the first stage of the compression, the number of H₂O molecules increases from 28 to 32 due to the filling of statistically occupied positions. With further compression no changes are observed. At around 1 GPa stellerite undergoes a second-order phase transition with a decrease in symmetry from Fmmm to F2/m. The compressibility of the powder sample of stellerite is considerably lower than that of the single crystal. These differences may be attributed to kinetic effects of additional hydration induced by the pressure.     

Effect of the composition of zeolite paranatrolite on the configuration of its water-cation subsystem

The Rietveld method is used to determine the structure of two samples of high-hydrated zeolite paranatrolite: {Na_1.15Ca_0.38Sr_0.04(H₂O)_3.1}[Al_2.19Si_2.81O₁₀] (Vishnevye Mountains, Urals) and {Na_2.01K_0.04H_0.04(H₂O)_3.8}[Al_2.10Si_2.90O₁₀] (Kirov Mine, Khibiny Massif). Paranatrolite from the Vishnevye Mountains is characterized by the presence of split water positions and a relatively low total H₂O content. Local water-cation assemblages (WCAs) of three configurations are identified in the statistical “mixture”. The extraframework subsystem in the structure of Khibiny paranatrolite is made of WCAs of one configuration. The H₂O content of this mineral is close to the maximum possible amount and is a recordbreaker for natrolite-type minerals.     

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of synthetic phlogopite and lepidolite samples

In the present work, our aim is to decipher the cationic ordering in the octahedral and tetrahedral sheets of two Al-rich synthetic materials, namely, phlogopites of nominal composition K(Mg_3-xAl_x)[Al_1+xSi_3-xO₁₀](OH)_yF_2-y and lepidolites in the system trilithionite–polylithionite with composition K (Li_xAl_3-x)[Al_4-2xSi_2xO₁₀](OH)_yF_2-y, by directly probing the aluminium distribution through ²⁷Al and ¹⁷O magic-angle spinning, multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning, and ²⁷Al-²⁷Al double-quantum single-quantum nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Notably, ²⁷Al-²⁷Al double-quantum single-quantum magic-angle spinning NMR spectra, recorded at 9.34 and/or 20.00 T, show the spatial proximity or avoidance of the Al species inside or between the sheets. In both studied minerals, the ensemble of NMR data suggests a preference for ^[4]Al in the tetrahedral sheet to occupy position close to the ^[6]Al of the octahedral sheets.     

Pr10[Si10−xAlxO9+xN17−x]Cl with x ≈ 1 – an Oxonitridoaluminosilicate Chloride

The oxonitridoaluminosilicate chloride Pr₁₀[Si_10?xAl_xO_9+xN_17?x]Cl was obtained by the reaction of praseodymium metal, the respective chloride, AlN and Al(OH)₃ with “Si(NH)₂” in a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures around 1900 °C. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (Pbam, no. 55, Z = 2,a = 10.5973(8) Å, b = 11.1687(6) Å, c = 11.6179(7) Å, R1 = 0.0337). The sialon crystallizes isotypically to the oxonitridosilicate halides Ce₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Br, Nd₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Br and Nd₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Cl, which represent a new layered structure type. The structure refinement was performed utilizing an O/N‐distribution model according to Paulings rules, i.e. nitrogen was positioned on all bridging sites and mixed O/Noccupation was assumed on the terminal sites resulting in charge neutrality of the compounds. The Si and Al atoms were refined equally distributed on their three crystallographic sites, due to their poor distinguishability by X‐ray analysis. The tetrahedra layers of the structure consist of condensed [(Si,Al)N₂(O,N)₂] and [(Si,Al)N₃(O,N)] tetrahedra of Q² and Q³ type. The chemical composition of the compound was derived from electron probe micro analyses (EPMA).     

17O and 183W NMR studies of the paratungstate anions in aqueous solutions

¹⁷O (40.7 MHz) and ¹⁸³W (12.5 MHz) NMR spectra of aqueous Na₁₀[H₂W₁₂O₄₂]·27H₂O (1), Na₆[W₇O₂₄]·14H₂O (2) and (NH₄)₆[Mo₇O₂₄]·nH₂O solutions, as well as of 2, 1 and 0.1 M Na₂WO₄ and 2 M Li₂WO₄ solutions acidified up to P = 0.5, 1 and 1.14 have been measured. The composition of the W₇O₂₄^6? anion remains unchanged (2), its structure being similar to that of Mo₇O₂₄^6?183W NMR spectrum shows three resonances with the chemical shifts + 269.2, ?98.8 and ?178.9 ppm relative to WO₄^2? and intensity ratio 1:4:2. “Paratungstate A” produced during polycondensation of WO₄^2? at P ? 1.17 is identical with heptatungstate W₇O₂₄^6?. The [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]^10?183W NMR spectrum in the acidified 2 M Li₂WO₄ solution has four resonances with the chemical shifts in the range - 105–145 ppm and intensity ratio 1:2:1:2. As suggested by NMR data, the H₂W₁₂O₄₂^10? ? W₇O₂₄^6? transformations occur, which depend upon concentration and temperature.     

Thermal behaviour of fibrous zeolites of the natrolite group

The western region of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) is constituted of tholeiitic lava flows. They host numerous cavities, varying in size and shape, largely occupied by zeolites and a variety of secondary minerals, amongst which the fibrous zeolites (natrolite group), are particularly gorgeous and attractive. Scolecite and mesolite are the only two members commonly occurring in this region. Our data on their thermal behaviour significantly differs from that reported in previous literature. Scolecite, Ca₈(Al₁₆Si₂₄O₈₀)·24H₂O shows three distinct steps instead of two and water loss is observed even beyond 550°C. It is held that the first step corresponds to the expulsion of water from the site farthest away from Ca and the next two steps in succession correspond to the two sites nearer to Ca. Mesolite, Na₁₆Ca₁₆(Al₄₈Si₇₂O₂₄₀)· 64H₂O has much more complex behaviour with four or five steps of water expulsion and a major loss around 248–270°C in a double reaction attributed here to the expulsion of water from scolecite type channels. It is further held that the natrolite type channels are emptied in further steps. Loss of water in steps even beyond 400°C is particularly noted and such reactions are well reflected in the TG and the DTG. Peak temperature dependence on sample amounts is also evident. Successive phase transformations above 700°C, up to 1000°C are reflected in the DTA curves.     

The Ionic Conductivity of Solid Electrolytes for Li4+xMxSi1–xO4‐yLi2O (M=Al,B) Systems

The Li_4+xM_xSi_4+xO₄‐yLi₂O (M=Al, B; x = 0 to 0.6, y = 0 to 0.5) ion conductors were prepared by the Sol‐Gel method and examined in detail. The powder and sintered samples were characterized by DTA‐TG, XRD, SEM, and AC impedance techniques. The experimental results show that the conductivity and sinterability in creased with the amount of excess lithium oxide in the silicate. The Li₂O phase acts as a flux to accelerate the sintering process and to obtain high conductivity of grain boundaries. The particle size of the sintered pellets is about 0.25 μm. The maximum conductivity at 200 °C is 5.40 × 10^?3s cm^?1 for Li_4.4Al_0.4 Si_0.6O₄‐0.3Li₂O.     

NMR spectra and the structure of the guest sublattice in the monocationic forms of clinoptilolite and heulandite

The¹H NMR spectra of the hydrated monocationic forms of clinoptilolite M₆[Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂]·nH₂O (M=Li, Na, K, Cs, NH₄; n=12–22) and M ₃ ^′ [Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂]·nH₂O (M′=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; n=20–24) and heulandite M₈[Al₈Si₂₈O₇₂]·21H₂O (M=Na, K) are divided into three types differing in the symmetry of tensors of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions of protons in zeolite water molecules. On the basis of model calculations it is shown that water molecules in the Cs, K, and Ba forms of clinoptilolite and the K form of heulandite are ordered in structural positions. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zeorex Ltd., Sofia. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 891–900, September–October, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Self‐Assembly of [B‐SbW9O33]9− Subunit with Transition Metal Ions (Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+) in Aqueous Solution: Syntheses,Structures and Magnetic Properties of Sandwich Type Polyoxometalates with Subvalent SbIII Heteroatom

Rational self‐assembly of Sb₂O₃ and Na₂WO₄, or (NH₄)₁₈[NaSb₉W₂₁O₈₆] with transition‐metal ions (Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺), in aqueous solution under controlled conditions yield a series of sandwich type complexes, namely, Na₂H₂[Mn_2.5W_1.5(H₂O)₈(B‐β‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]?32 H₂O (1) , Na₄H₇[Na₃(H₂O)₆Mn₃(μ‐OAc)₂(B‐α‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]?20 H₂O (OAc=acetate anion) (2) , NaH₈[Na₂Cu₄Cl(B‐α‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]?21 H₂O (3) , Na₈K[Na₂K(H₂O)₂{Co(H₂O)}₃(B‐α‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]? 10 H₂O (4) , and Na₅H[{Co(H₂O)₂}₃W(H₂O)₂(B‐β‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]?11.5 H₂O (5) . These structures are determined by using the X‐ray diffraction technique and further characterized by obtaining IR spectra and performing elemental analysis. Structure analysis reveals that polyoxoanions in 1 and 5 comprise of two [B‐β‐SbW₉O₃₃]^9? building units, whereas 2 , 3 , and 4 consist of two isomerous [B‐α‐SbW₉O₃₃]^9? building blocks, which are all linked by different transition‐metal ions (Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, or Co²⁺) with different quantitative nuclearity. It should be noted that compound 2 represents the first one‐dimensional sinusoidal chain based on sandwich like tungstoantimonate building blocks through the carboxylate‐bridging ligands. Additionally, 3 is constructed from sandwiched anions [Na₂Cu₄Cl(B‐α‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]^9? linked to each other to form an infinitely extended 2D network, whereas 5 shows an interesting 3D framework built up from offset sandwich type polyoxoanion [{Co(H₂O)₂}₃W(H₂O)₂(B‐β‐SbW₉O₃₃)₂]^6? linked by Co²⁺ and Na⁺ ions. EPR studies performed at 110 K and room temperature reveal that the metal cations (Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺) reside in a square‐pyramidal geometry in 2 , 3 , and 4 . The magnetic behavior of 1 – 4 suggests the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling interactions between magnetic metal centers with the exchange integral J=?0.552 cm^?1 in 2 .     

Acid‐Stable Peroxoniobophosphate Clusters To Make Patterned Films

Two new peroxoniobophosphate clusters were isolated as tetramethylammonium (TMA) salts having the stoichiometries: TMA₅[HNb₄P₂O₁₄(O₂)₄]?9 H₂O and TMA₃[H₇Nb₆P₄O₂₄(O₂)₆]?7 H₂O. The former is stable over the pH range: 3<pH<12 and the latter is stable only below pH 3. These two molecules interconvert as a function of solution pH. The [H₇Nb₆P₄O₂₄(O₂)₆]^3? cluster can be used to fabricate patterned niobium phosphate films by electron‐beam lithography after solution deposition.