[Bi4]6– – The Zintl Anion with the Highest Charge per Atom Obtained from Solution

From the dark‐purple solution of the Zintl phase KBi in liquid ammonia dark‐blue crystals of the ammonia solvate K₆[Bi₄](NH₃)₈ were obtained. In contrast to known Bi_n polyanions the chemical bond in the anion [Bi₄]^6– is in accordance with the (8‐N) rule featuring solely Bi–Bi single bonds. [Bi₄]^6– is a butane‐analog valence compound, and with 6 negative charges per 4 atoms it is the anion with the highest known charge per atom obtained from solution. The planarity of the trans‐[Bi₄]^6– unit hints at π orbital contributions of the bismuth atoms. The corresponding reactions of the phases K₅Bi₄ and K₃Bi₂ in liquid ammonia in the presence of [2.2.2]crypt(4, 7, 13, 16, 21, 24‐hexaoxa‐1, 10‐diazabicyclo‐[8.8.8]hexacosane) lead to the salt [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₂[Bi₂](NH₃)₄ with the known electron‐deficient [Bi₂]^2– polyanion and a Bi=Bi double bond.     

Solvate‐Induced Semiconductor to Metal Transition: Flat [Bi1−] Zigzag Chains in Metallic KBi⋅NH3 versus [Bi1−] Helices in Semiconducting KBi

Polymeric [Bi]^? in KBi?NH₃ has planar zigzag chains with two‐connected Bi atoms and metallic properties, whereas KBi, which has helical chains of Bi atoms, is semiconducting. The isomerization of the Bi chain is induced by solvate molecules. In the novel layered solvate structure uncharged [KBi] layers are separated by intercalated NH₃ molecules. These layers are a structural excerpt of the iso(valence)electronic CaSi, whose metallic properties arise from the planarity of the zigzag chain of Si atoms. Computational studies support this view, they show an anisotropic metallic behavior along the Bi chain. Electron delocalization is also found in the new cyclic anion [Bi₆]^4? isolated in K₂[K(18‐crown‐6)]₂[Bi₆]?9 NH₃. Although [Bi₆]^4? should exhibit one localized double bond, electron delocalization is observed in analogy to the lighter homologues [P₆]^4? and [As₆]^4?. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Bicyclic [Sn4Se11]6– Anion in Na6Sn4Se11 · 22 H2O

Na₆Sn₄Se₁₁ · 22 H₂O can be crystallised at –8 °C as yellow‐orange needles from the 1 : 2 H₂O/CH₃OH mother liquor of a superheated reaction mixture of NaOH(s), Sn and Se. The bicyclic [Sn₄Se₁₁]^6– anion exhibits crystallographic C₂ symmetry and is composed of corner‐bridged SnSe₄ tetrahedra. Two opposite tin atoms of an Sn₄Se₄ 8‐membered ring are linked by a common Se atom, thereby affording two 6‐membered boat‐shaped Sn₃Se₃ rings with a shared Sn–Se–Sn bridging unit. [Sn₄Se₁₁]^6– thus represents the immediate precursor of the well‐known adamantane‐like [Sn₄Se₁₀]^4– anion.     

Reactivity of Liquid Ammonia Solutions of the Zintl Phase K12Sn17 towards Mesitylcopper(I) and Phosphinegold(I) Chloride

To gain more insight into the reactivity of intermetalloid clusters, the reactivity of the Zintl phase K₁₂Sn₁₇, which contains [Sn₄]^4? and [Sn₉]^4? cluster anions, was investigated. The reaction of K₁₂Sn₁₇ with gold(I) phosphine chloride yielded K₇[(η²‐Sn₄)Au(η²‐Sn₄)](NH₃)₁₆ ( 1 ) and K₁₇[(η²‐Sn₄)Au(η²‐Sn₄)]₂(NH₂)₃(NH₃)₅₂ ( 2 ), which both contain the anion [(Sn₄)Au(Sn₄)]^7? ( 1 a ) that consists of two [Sn₄]^4? tetrahedra linked through a central gold atom. Anion 1 a represents the first binary Au?Sn polyanion. From this reaction, the solvate structure [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₃K[Sn₉](NH₃)₁₈ ( 3 ; [2.2.2]crypt=4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) was also obtained. In the analogous reaction of mesitylcopper with K₁₂Sn₁₇ in the presence of [18]crown‐6 in liquid ammonia, crystals of the composition [K([18]crown‐6)]₂[K([18]crown‐6)(MesH)(NH₃)][Cu@Sn₉](thf) ( 4 ) were isolated ([18]crown‐6=1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadiene, MesH=mesitylene, thf=tetrahydrofuran) and featured a [Cu@Sn₉]^3? cluster. A similar reaction with [2.2.2]crypt as a sequestering agent led to the formation of crystals of [K[2.2.2]crypt][MesCuMes] ( 5 ). The cocrystallization of mesitylene in 4 and the presence of [MesCuMes]^? ( 5 a ) in 5 provides strong evidence that the migration of a bare Cu atom into an Sn₉ anion takes place through the release of a Mes^? anion from mesitylcopper, which either migrates to another mesitylcopper to form 5 a or is subsequently protonated to give MesH.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Ammoniates with the Phenyl‐Substituted Polytin Anions Sn2Ph$\rm{_{\bf 4}^{{\bf 2} - } }$, cyclo‐Sn4Ph$\rm{_{\bf 4}^{{\bf 4} - } }$, and Sn6Ph$\rm{_{{\bf 12}}^{{\bf 2} - } }$

The reaction of diphenyltin dichloride with the binary Zintl phase K₄Sn₉ in the presence of excess lithium and 18‐crown‐6 in liquid ammonia led to the ammoniate [K(18‐crown‐6)(NH₃)₂]₂Sn₂Ph₄ ( 1 ). The analogous reaction with K₄Ge₉ and potassium in the absence of further alkali metal ligands resulted in the compound [K₂(NH₃)₁₂]Sn₆Ph₁₂ ? 4 NH₃ ( 3 ). Cs₆[Sn₄Ph₄](NH₂)₂ ? 8 NH₃ ( 2 ) was prepared by reacting diphenyltin dichloride with a surplus of caesium in liquid ammonia. The low‐temperature single‐crystal structure determinations show all compounds to contain phenyl‐substituted polyanions of tin. Compound 1 is built from Sn₂Ph anions consisting of Sn dumbbells with two Ph substituents at each Sn‐atom. Compound 2 contains cyclo‐Sn₄Ph anions formed by a four‐membered tin ring in butterfly conformation with one Ph substituent at each Sn‐atom in an (all‐trans)‐configuration. Sn₆Ph in 3 is a zig‐zag Sn₆ chain with two substituents at each of the Sn‐atoms. Both 1 and 3 have molecular counter cations, in the latter case the unprecedented dinuclear potassiumammine complex [K₂(NH₃)₁₂]²⁺ is observed. Compound 2 shows a complicated three‐dimensional network of Cs? Sn interactions.     

Pniktogenidostannate(IV) mit isolierten Tetraeder‐Anionen: Neue Vertreter (E1)4(E2)2[Sn(E15)4] (mit E1 = Na,K; E2 = Ca,Sr, Ba; E15 = P,As, Sb,Bi) vom Na6[ZnO4]‐Typ und die Überstrukturvariante von K4Sr2[SnAs4]

Pnictogenidostannates(IV) with Discrete Tetrahedral Anions: New Representatives (E1)₄(E2)₂[Sn(E15)₄] (with E1 = Na, K; E2 = Ca, Sr, Ba; E15 = P, As, Sb, Bi) of the Na₆[ZnO₄] Type and the Superstructure Variant of K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄] The silvery to dark metallic lustrous compounds (E1)₄(E2)₂[Sn(E15)₄] (E1 = Na, K; E2 = Ca, Sr, Ba; E15 = P, As, Sb, Bi) were prepared from melts of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements. They crystallize in the Na₆[ZnO₄]‐type structure (hexagonal, space group: P6₃mc, Z = 2; Na₄Ca₂[SnP₄]: a = 938.94(7), c = 710.09(8) pm; K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄]: a = 1045.0(2), c = 767.0(1) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnP₄]: a = 1029.1(6), c = 780.2(4) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnAs₄]: a = 1051.3(1), c = 795.79(7) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnSb₄]: a = 1116.9(2), c = 829.2(1) pm; K₄Ba₂[SnBi₄]: a = 1139.5(2), c = 832.0(2) pm). The anionic partial structure consists of tetrahedra [Sn(E15)₄]^8– orientated all in the same direction along [001]. In the cationic partial structure one of the two cation positions is occupied statistically by alkali and alkaline earth metal atoms. Up to now only for K₄Sr₂[SnAs₄] a second modification could be isolated, forming a superstructure type with three times the unit cell volume (hexagonal, space group: P6₃cm, Z = 6; a = 1801.3(2), c = 767.00(9) pm) and an ordered cationic partial structure.     

Bi?Zn Bond Formation in Liquid Ammonia Solution: [Bi?Zn?Bi]4−, a Linear Polyanion that is Iso(valence)‐electronic to CO2

Reactions of the zinc(I) complex [Zn₂(Mesnacnac)₂] (Mesnacnac=[(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)NC(Me)]₂CH) with solid K₃Bi₂ dissolved in liquid ammonia yield crystals of the compound K₄[ZnBi₂]⋅(NH₃)₁₂ ( 1 ), which contains the molecular, linear heteroatomic [Bi Zn Bi]⁴⁻ polyanion ( 1 a ). This anion represents the first example of a three‐atomic molecular ion of metal atoms being iso(valence)‐electronic to CO₂ and being synthesized in solution. The analogy of the discrete [Bi Zn Bi]⁴⁻ anion and the polymeric [(ZnBi_4/2)⁴⁻] unit to monomeric CO₂ and polymeric SiS₂ is rationalized.     

A novel heterometallic dinuclear compound: rac‐pentaaqua‐1κ5O‐(μ‐2‐sulfidoacetato‐1:2κ3O:O′,S)bis(2‐sulfidoacetato‐2κ2O,S)manganese(II)tin(IV)

The title racemic heterometallic dinuclear compound, [MnSn(C₂H₂O₂S)₃(H₂O)₅], (I), contains one main group Sn^IV metal centre and one transition metal Mn^II centre, and, by design, links the Mn^II centre to the building unit of the (Δ/Λ) [SnL₃]²⁻ complex anion (L is the 2‐sulfidoacetate dianion). In this cluster, the Sn^IV centre of the (Δ/Λ) [SnL₃]²⁻ unit is coordinated by three O atoms and three S atoms from three L ligands to form an [SnO₃S₃] octahedral coordination environment. The Mn^II centre is in an [MnO₆] octahedral coordination environment, with five O atoms from five water molecules and the sixth from the μ₂‐L ligand of the (Δ/Λ) [SnL₃]²⁻ unit. Between adjacent dinuclear molecules, there are many hydrogen‐bond interactions of O—H...O, O—H...S, C—H...O and C—H...S types. Of these, eight pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds fuse all the dinuclear molecules into two‐dimensional supramolecular sheets along the bc plane. Adjacent supramolecular sheets are further connected through O—H...S hydrogen bonds to give a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

The Neat Ternary Solid K5−xCo1−xSn9 with Endohedral [Co@Sn9]5− Cluster Units: A Precursor for Soluble Intermetalloid [Co2@Sn17]5− Clusters

A new type of Zintl phase is presented that contains endohedrally filled clusters and that allows for the formation of intermetalloid clusters in solution by a one‐step synthesis. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ was obtained by the reaction of a preformed Co? Sn alloy with potassium and tin at high temperatures. The diamagnetic saltlike ternary phase contains discrete [Co@Sn₉]^5? clusters that are separated by K⁺ ions. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ readily and incongruently dissolves in ethylenediamine and in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (2.2.2‐crypt), thereby leading to the formation of crystalline [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇]. The novel polyanion [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? contains two Co‐filled Sn₉ clusters that share one vertex. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The diamagnetism of K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ and the paramagnetism of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇] have been confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and EPR measurements, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations reveal an endohedral Co^1? atom in an [Sn₉]^4? nido cluster for [Co@Sn₉]^5? and confirm the stability of the paramagnetic [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? unit.     

BiZn Bond Formation in Liquid Ammonia Solution: [BiZnBi]4−, a Linear Polyanion that is Iso(valence)‐electronic to CO2

Reactions of the zinc(I) complex [Zn₂(Mesnacnac)₂] (Mesnacnac=[(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)NC(Me)]₂CH) with solid K₃Bi₂ dissolved in liquid ammonia yield crystals of the compound K₄[ZnBi₂]?(NH₃)₁₂ ( 1 ), which contains the molecular, linear heteroatomic [Bi? Zn? Bi]^4? polyanion ( 1 a ). This anion represents the first example of a three‐atomic molecular ion of metal atoms being iso(valence)‐electronic to CO₂ and being synthesized in solution. The analogy of the discrete [Bi? Zn? Bi]^4? anion and the polymeric [(ZnBi_4/2)^4?] unit to monomeric CO₂ and polymeric SiS₂ is rationalized.     

Extraction of Ternary Alloys: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]Cs7[Sn9]2(en)3

The compound [K([2.2.2]crypt)]Cs₇[Sn₉]₂(en)₃ ( 1 ) was synthesized from an alloy of formal composition KCs₂Sn₉ by dissolving in ethylenediamine (en) followed by the addition of [2.2.2]crypt and toluene. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcca with a = 45.38(2), b = 9.092(4), c = 18.459(8) Å, and Z = 4. The structure consists of Cs₇[Sn₉]₂ layers which contain [Sn₉]^4– anions and Cs⁺ cations. The layers are separated by [K([2.2.2]crypt)]⁺ units. In the intermetallic slab (Cs₇[Sn₉]₂)^– compares the arrangement of pairs of symmetry‐related [Sn₉]^4– anions with the dimer ([Ge₉]–[Ge₉])^6– in [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₂Cs₄([Ge₉]–[Ge₉]), in which the clusters are linked by a cluster‐exo bond. The shortest distance between atoms of such two clusters in 1 is 4.762 Å, e. g. there are no exo Sn‐Sn bonds. The [Sn₉]^4– anion has almost perfect C_4v‐symmetry.     

Endohedrally Filled [Ni@Sn9]4− and [Co@Sn9]5− Clusters in the Neat Solids Na12Ni1−xSn17 and K13−xCo1−xSn17: Crystal Structure and 119Sn Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

A systematic approach to the formation of endohedrally filled atom clusters by a high‐temperature route instead of the more frequent multistep syntheses in solution is presented. Zintl phases Na₁₂Ni_1?xSn₁₇ and K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇, containing endohedrally filled intermetalloid clusters [Ni@Sn₉]^4? or [Co@Sn₉]^5? beside [Sn₄]^4?, are obtained from high‐temperature reactions. The arrangement of [Ni@Sn₉]^4? or [Co@Sn₉]^5? and [Sn₄]^4? clusters, which are present in the ratio 1:2, can be regarded as a hierarchical replacement variant of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn₂ on the Mg and Zn positions, respectively. The alkali‐metal positions are considered for the first time in the hierarchical relationship, which leads to a comprehensive topological parallel and a better understanding of the composition of these compounds. The positions of the alkali‐metal atoms in the title compounds are related to the known inclusion of hydrogen atoms in the voids of Laves phases. The inclusion of Co atoms in the {Sn₉} cages correlates strongly with the number of K vacancies in K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇ and K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉, and consequently, all compounds correspond to diamagnetic valence compounds. Owing to their diamagnetism, K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇, and K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉, as well as the d‐block metal free binary compounds K₁₂Sn₁₇ and K₄Sn₉, were characterized for the first time by ¹¹⁹Sn solid‐state NMR spectroscopy.     

Carbonat-isostere Anionen [SnX3]5− in den Verbindungen Rb6[SnX3]O0,5 und Cs6[SnX3]O0,5 mit X = As,Sb und Bi

Carbonate Isostructural Anions [SnX₃]^5? in the Compounds Rb₆[SnX₃]O_0.5 and Cs₆[SnX₃]O_0.5 with X = As, Sb, and Bi The metallic shining compounds Rb₆[SnX₃]O_0.5 and Cs₆[SnX₃]O_0.5 with X = As, Sb, and Bi were prepared from the melt starting from adequate mixtures of the elements and SnO₂. They crystallize in the hexagonal system (space group P6₃/mmc, No. 194, Z = 2) with the lattice constants mentioned in ?Inhaltsübersicht”?. In the structures of the isotypic compounds tin and the main group(V) elements build up trigonal planar anions [SnX₃]^5? with X = As, Sb, and Bi isostructural to the carbonate anion, oxygen forms isolated O^2? ions. The bond lengths Sn? X are significantly shortened with respect to the sums of Pauling covalent radii. The atoms of the units [SnX₃]^5? are coordinated by alkali metal cations forming trigonal prisms and the O^2? anions occupy octahedral holes.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von Ethylendiammonium-Selenostannaten(IV) sowie von [2 SnSe2 · en]∞

Preparation and Crystal Structure of Ethylenediammonium Selenostannates(IV) and [2 SnSe₂ · en]∞ The selenostannates(IV) [enH₂]₂[Sn₂Se₆] · en 1 and [enH₂][Sn₃Se₇] · 1/2en 2 have been prepared by the methanolothermal reaction of SnSe₂ with ethylenediamine (en) (160°C, 13 bar) in the presence of respectively Se or BaSe. The [Sn₂Se₆]^4? anion in 1 consists of two edgebridged SnSe₄ tetrahedra and displays crystallographic C_i symmetry. The crystal structure of 2 contains polyselenostannate(IV) sheet anions [Sn₂Se₇²], for which the basic elements are trigonal SnSe₅ bipyramids. Each of the three symmetry independent Sn atoms is linked to the other Sn atoms via Sn? Se? Sn bridges leading to the formation of Sn₃Se₁₀ units. Methanolothermal reaction of SnSe₂ with en alone yields the edge-bridged chain structure [2 SnSe₂ en]∞ 3 , in which each of the Sn atoms is bonded to four Se atoms. Every second Sn atom is also coordinated by an en molecule and displays, therefore, an octahedral geometry. The remaining Sn atoms are coordinated tetrahedrally by Se atoms.     

Bis[2‐(3‐pyridinio)benzimidazolium] di‐μ‐chloro‐bis­[trichloro­cadmium(II)]

The title compound, (C₁₂H₁₁N₃)₂[Cd₂Cl₈], consists of two discrete 2‐(3‐pyridinio)benzimidazolium cations and one [Cd₂Cl₈]⁴⁻ anion. The dimeric [Cd₂Cl₈]⁴⁻ anion lies about an inversion centre and consists of two distorted [CdCl₅] trigonal bipyramids which share a common edge. The two Cd atoms are each coordinated by two μ‐Cl atoms and three terminal Cl atoms, with a Cd·Cd separation of 3.9853 (6) Å. The packing displays two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded sheets, which are further linked by C—H·Cl contacts and π–π stacking inter­actions to yield a three‐dimensional network.     

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.     

K2[Hg(SO3)2]·2.25H2O

The characteristic feature of the structure of the title compound, dipotassium bis(sulfito‐κS)mercurate(II) 2.25‐hydrate, is a layered arrangement parallel to (001) where each of the two independent [Hg(SO₃)₂]²⁻ anions are grouped into centrosymmetric pairs and are surrounded by two K⁺ cations to give the overall layer composition {K₂[Hg(SO₃)₂]₂}²⁻. The remaining cations and the uncoordinated water molecules are situated between these layers. Within the [Hg(SO₃)₂]²⁻ anions, the central Hg atoms are twofold coordinated by S atoms, with a mean Hg—S bond length of 2.384 (2) Å. The anions are slightly bent [174.26 (3) and 176.99 (3)°] due to intermolecular O...Hg interactions greater than 2.8 Å. All coordination polyhedra around the K⁺ cations are considerably distorted, with coordination numbers ranging from six to nine. Although the H atoms of the five water molecules (one with symmetry 2) could not be located, O...O separations between 2.80 and 2.95 Å suggest a system of medium to weak O—H...O hydrogen bonds which help to consolidate the structural set‐up. Differences and similarities between the bis(sulfito‐κS)mercurate(II) anions in the title compound and those in the related salts (NH₄)₂[Hg(SO₃)₂] and Na₂[Hg(SO₃)₂]·H₂O are discussed.     

Cluster Fusion: Face‐Fused Nine‐Atom Deltahedral Clusters in [Sn14Ni(CO)]4−

The title anion was synthesized by heating dimethylformamide (DMF) solution of the known Ni‐centered and Ni(CO)‐capped tin clusters [Ni@Sn₉Ni(CO)]^3?. The new anion represents the first example of face‐fused nine‐atom molecular clusters. The two clusters are identical elongated tricapped trigonal prisms of nido‐[Sn₈Ni(CO)]^6? with nickel at one of the capping positions. They are fused along a triangular face adjacent to a trigonal prismatic base and made of two Sn and one Ni atoms. The new anion is structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction in the compound (K[222‐crypt])₄[Sn₁₄Ni(CO)]?DMF. Its presence in solution is corroborated by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Tetrakis(μ2‐4‐aminobenzoato)di‐μ3‐oxido‐tetrakis[dibutyltin(IV)]

The molecule of the title compound, [Sn₄(C₄H₉)₈(C₇H₆NO₂)₄O₂], lies about an inversion centre and is a tetranuclear bis(tetrabutyldicarboxylatodistannoxane) complex containing a planar Sn₄O₂ core in which two μ₃‐oxide O atoms connect an Sn₂O₂ ring to two exocyclic Sn atoms. Each Sn atom has a highly distorted octahedral coordination. In the molecule, the carboxylate groups of two aminobenzoate ligands bridge the central and exocyclic Sn atoms, while two further aminobenzoate ligands have highly asymmetric bidentate chelation to the exocyclic Sn atoms plus long O...Sn interactions with the central Sn atoms. Each Sn atom is also coordinated by two pendant n‐butyl ligands, which extend roughly perpendicular to the plane of the Sn₄O₁₀ core. Only one of the four unique hydrogen‐bond donor sites is involved in a classic N—H...O hydrogen bond, and the resulting supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded structure is an extended two‐dimensional network which lies parallel to the (100) plane and consists of a checkerboard pattern of four‐connected molecular cores acting as nodes. The amine groups not involved in the hydrogen‐bonding interactions have significant N—H...π interactions with neighbouring aminobenzene rings.     

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.