Abstract
The crystal structures of $Cd_6-A$ evacuated at $2{\times}10^{-6}$ Torr and 750$^{\circ}$C (a=12.216(l) ${\AA}$), and of the product of its reaction with Rb vapor (a= 12.187(l) ${\AA}$), have been determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction techniques in the cubic space group Pm$\bar{3}$m at 21(l)$^{\circ}$C. Their structures were refined to the final error indices, $R_1$=0.055 and $R_2$=0.067 with 191 reflections, and $R_1$=0.066 and $R_2$=0.049 with 90 reflections, respectively, for which I>3${\sigma}$(I). In dehydrated $Cd_6-A$, six $Cd^{2+}$ ions are found at two different threefold-axis sites near six-oxygen ring centers. Four $Cd^{2+}$ ions are recessed 0.50 ${\AA}$ into the sodalite cavity from the (111) plane at O(3), and the other two extend 0.28 ${\AA}$ into the large cavity from this plane. Treatment at 250 $^{\circ}$C with 0.1 Torr of Rb vapor reduces all $Cd^{2+}$ ions to give $Rb_{13.5^-}$A. Rb species are found at three crystallographic sites: three $Rb^+$ ions lie at eight-oxygen-ring centers, filling that position, and ca. 10.5 $Rb^+$ ions lie on threefold axes, 8.0 in the large cavity and 2.5 in the sodalite cavity. In this structure, ca. 1.5 Rb species more than the 12 $Rb^+$ ions needed to balance the anionic charge of zeolite framework are found, indicating that sorption of $Rb^0$ has occurred. The occupancies observed can be most simply explained by two "unit cell" compositions, $Rb_{12^-}A{\cdot}Rb$ and $Rb_{12^-}A{\cdot}2Rb$, of approximately equal population. In sodalite cavities, $Rb_{12^-}A{\cdot}Rb$ would have a $(Rb_2)^+$ cluster and $Rb_{12^-}A{\cdot}2Rb$ would have a triangular $(Rb_3)^+$ cluster. Each of the atoms of these clusters must bind further through a six-oxygen ring to a large cavity $Rb^+$ to give $(Rb_4)^{3+}$ (linear) and $(Rb_6)^{4+}$ (trigonal). Other unit-cell compositions and other cationic cluster compositions such as $(Rb_8)^{n+}$ may exist.