Structure-directed synthesis of chalcogenides: from chains to 3-dimensional frameworks

Solvothermal synthesis, in which an agent such as an organic amine directs the synthesis of an inorganic material, is increasingly used in the preparation of main–group chalcogenides with unusual structural features. Solvothermally–prepared antimony (III) sulphides exhibit a particularly rich structural diversity, owing to the stereochemical effect of the lone pair of electrons associated with Sb(III). Introduction of transition–metal cations into the reaction mixtures leads to further structural complexity and, through judicious choice of amine, can lead to incorporation of the transition–series element into the main–group sulphide matrix.