Synthesis of a Nine-atom Germanium Cluster K_(0.5)[K(18-crown-6)]_(1.5)Ge_9·1.5en with Unprecedented “up” and “down” Chain Arrangement of Unit [-(Ge_9-K-Ge_9)~(3-)-]

A new complex K0.5[K(18-crown-6)]1.5Ge9·1.5en(1) which contains unprecedented "up" and "down" chain arrangement of unit [-(Ge-9-K-Ge9)3-] has been prepared by the reaction of K4Ge9 with HgS in ethylenediamine(en) in the presence of 18-crown-6(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane), and characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The color of the title crystals(black), which is darker than that of the reported three compounds with chains of germanium clusters, may result from the naked K+ and their interactions with the chain. And the structure differences between 1 and the reported three compounds with chains of germanium have also been discussed.