Synthesis of Inorganic Structural Isomers by Diffusion-Constrained Self-Assembly of Designed Precursors: A Novel Type of Isomerism.

Six structural isomers containing four structural units of PbSe and four structural units of NbSe2 of compositions [(PbSe)1.14]4[NbSe2]4, [(PbSe)1.14]3[NbSe2]3 [(PbSe)1.14][NbSe2]1, [(PbSe)1.14]3[NbSe2]2 [(PbSe)1.14][NbSe2]2, [(PbSe)1.14]2[NbSe2]3 [(PbSe)1.14]2[NbSe2]1, [(PbSe)1.14]2[NbSe2]2 [(PbSe)1.14] [NbSe2]1[(PbSe)1.14] [NbSe2]1, and [(PbSe)1.14]2[NbSe2] [(PbSe)1.14][NbSe2]2 [(PbSe)1.14][NbSe2] are prepared from modulated elemental precursors by annealing at 450 °C for 1 h in a nitrogen atmosphere.