Structural links between zeolite-type and clathrate hydrate-type materials: Synthesis and crystal Structure of [N(CH3)4]6[AlxSi8−xO18−x(OH)2+x] · 44H2O (x = 3–4)

A novel tetramethylammonium aluminosilicate hydrate with the approximate composition NMe₄]₆Al_xSi_8?xO_18?x(OH)_2+x] · 44H₂O (x = 3–4) has been identified by powder X-ray diffraction as a component in a polyphasic solid mixture which crystallized at room temperature from an aqueous NMe₄OH? Al₂O₃? SiO₂ solution. Large crystals of the novel hydrate phase could be mechanically selected from that mixture. The crystal structure has been determined from 1 196 unique MoKα diffraction data measured at 180 K: Tetragonal crystal system, cell constants a = 16.181(4) and c = 17.450(4) Å, space group P4/mnc with Z = 2 formula units per unit cell, R = 0.072. The host-guest compound is of polyhedral clathrate type with a mixed three-dimensional, (mainly) four-connected network composed of oligomeric aluminosilicate anions Al_xSi_8?xO_18?x(OH)_2+x]^6? and H₂O molecules linked via hydrogen bonds O? H …? O. The aluminosilicate anions possess a cube-shaped (double four-ring) structure. Orientationally disordered cationic guest species NMe₄⁺ are enclosed in the large 4⁶6⁸] and 4¹5¹⁰6⁷] polyhedral voids of the host framework; the small 4⁶] cages (i.e. the double four-ring anions) and 4³5⁶] cages are empty. The hydrate is a further member in a recently discovered series of clathrates with mixed tetrahedral networks, which provides a structure-chemical link between zeolite- and clathrate hydrate-type host-guest compounds.