Th3[Th6(OH)4O4(H2O)6](SO4)12(H2O)13: A Self-Assembled Microporous Open-Framework Thorium Sulfate

A neutral-framework thorium oxohydroxosulfate hydrate has been isolated from aqueous solution. This microporous structure, which self-assembles without a templating agent, is built from [Th6(OH)4O4(H2O)6]12+ hexamers and thorium­(IV) monomers linked through bridging sulfates. Solution conditions were chosen to enable an active competition between sulfate and hydroxide for thorium coordination. Synthetic requirements are discussed for this rare example of a thorium­(IV) polynuclear complex containing mixed oxo-, hydroxo-, and sulfato-bridging moieties.