A NEW CLASS OF LAYERED MICROPOROUS MATERIALS - CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF DISODIUM PENTAKIS(TRIMETHYLPHENYLAMMONIUM) BIS[TRIS(OXALATO(2-))CHROMATE(III)] CHLORIDE PENTAHYDRATE

The synthesis and crystal structure of Na-2(N(CH3)(3)Ph)(5)[Cr(ox)(3)] Cl-2.5H(2)O are described. This is the first member of a new class of microporous layered materials. It has an unusual structure in which th e organic cation acts both as a template to produce pores and as a spa cer to give a pillared layer structure. While the template occupies so me of the holes of the large rings produced by three Na+ and three [Cr (ox)(3)](3-) ions, some of the holes are vacant. All of the pores with in a layer have the same chirality, but the chirality alternates betwe en the layers, making the material achiral.