A Zeolitic Material with a Three-Dimensional Pore System Formed by Straight 12- and 10-Ring Channels Synthesized with an Imidazolium Derivative as Structure-Directing Agent

IM-20 is a novel microporous germanosilicate with an interesting zeolitic structure. It has been prepared via the fluoride route with 3-butyl-1-methyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium as the organic structure-directing agent and its structure solved from synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. The chemical formula per unit cell is Si42.2Ge17.8O120 under its calcined form. IM-20 possesses a new framework topology, the 3D channel system being formed by straight intersecting 12- and 10-membered rings. Two types of d4r composite building units are present in IM-20, their average Si/Ge molar ratio being about 8.52 or 0.56. Surprisingly, the pure silica or silica-rich units are fluoride-free in the as-synthesized material.