Halozeotypes: a New Generation of Zeolite‐Type Materials

The first non-oxide, direct analogues of aluminosilicate zeolites are materials with the anionic partial structure [CunZnm–nCl2m]n−. Varying the templating alkylammonium counterion results in different framework structures: [HNMe3][CuZn5Cl12] adopts the known sodalite structure, whereas [H2NEt2][CuZn5Cl12] exhibits a novel three-dimensional channel structure with eleven- and eight-ring channels (the latter is depicted on the right). Controlled addition of methanol or water results in formation of colloidal particles that are implicated as intermediates in the construction of open frameworks.