An Inorganic Tire-Tread Lattice: Hydrothermal Synthesis of the Layered Vanadate [N(CH3)4]5V18O46 with a Supercell Structure

Two distinct V(9)O(23) building blocks having different vanadium coordination environments are intergrown in the unusual layered vanadate [N(CH(3))(4)](5)V(18)O(46) (see picture). Lattice strain is relieved by alternation of the vanadate strips formed from the blocks in both directions (akin to a three-dimensional tire tread). The formation of this lattice has implications for the assembly mechanism of this compound and related materials in hydrothermal synthesis.