Non-centrosymmetric materials exhibit unusual and technologically relevant properties including second harmonic generation (SHG), ferroelectricity, and piezoelectricity. We have used hydrothermal methods to prepare single crystals of two polymorphs of the novel compound Pb2O(C6H5COO)2. In each structure, �4-O-centered Pb4O tetrahedra share edges to form infinite, chiral chains that are further coordinated by the benzoate ligands. Each polymorph contains both right- and left-handed inorganic motifs, and the two structures differ in the packing of chains of opposite chirality. The polymorphs exhibit a chiral, monoclinic P21 structure, in which the enantiomeric chains are crystallographically independent, and an achiral, orthorhombic Fdd2 structure. The polymorphs have also been prepared as phase-pure bulk powders, with control of polymorph formation achieved through variations in reaction temperature. Both materials are non-centrosymmetric and polar, and SHG measurements have been carried out for each.

Chiral inorganic motifs in two polymorphs of hydrothermally synthesized Pb2O(C6H5COO)2

245th National Meeting (2013)

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