Large bright-red, transparent crystalline plates of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]K
3Ge
9·2
en are obtained, in high-yield, from a reaction of (2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6 in toluene with a solution of K
4Ge
9/potassium metal (K) inethylenediamine (
en). The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group
P2
1/
m (
a = 10.740(1) Å,
b =15.812(1) Å,
c = 12.326(1) Å,
= 114.74
;
Z = 2). The crystal structure of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]K
3Ge
9·2
en features two-dimensional [K
3Ge
9] layers formed by uncomplexed K
+ cations and Ge
94- anions. The"not-so-bare" cluster compound features a unique Ge
94- cluster that exhibits a slightly distorted
C2v geometrythat is closer to
D3h than the expected
C4v. Use of noncryptand sequestering agents in the isolation of Ge clusteranions from
en solutions opens new avenues in understanding important cation-anion interactions in the stabilityand reactivity of Zintl ions, as well as a viable route to isolating Zintl anions with higher charges per atom.