An inorganic double helix: Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, and magnetism of chiral [(CH3)2NH2]K4[V10O 10(H2O)2(OH)4(PO4) 7]·4H2O

Victoria Soghomonian, Qin Chen, Robert C. Haushalter, Jon Zubieta, Charles J. O'Connor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

436 Scopus citations

Abstract

Very complicated inorganic solids can be self-assembled from structurally simple precursors as illustrated by the hydrothermal synthesis of the vanadium phosphate [(CH3)2NH2]K4[V10O 10(H2O)2(OH)4(PO4) 7]·4H2O, 1, which contains chiral double helices formed from interpenetrating spirals of vanadium oxo pentamers bonded together by P5+. These double helices are in turn intertwined with each other in a manner that generates unusual tunnels and cavities that are filled with (CH3)2NH2+ and K+ cations, respectively. The unit cell contents of dark blue phosphate 1, which crystallizes in the enantiomorphic space group P43 with lattice constants a = 12.130 and c = 30.555 angstroms, are chiral; only one enantiomorph is present in a given crystal. Magnetization measurements show that 1 is paramagnetic with ten unpaired electrons per formula unit at higher temperatures and that antiferromagnetic interactions develop at lower temperatures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1596-1599
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume259
Issue number5101
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 12 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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