Guanidinium ion as a symmetrical template in the formation of cubic hydrogen-bonded borate networks with the boracite topology.

Reaction between boric acid and guanidinium salts in methanolic solution at room temperature in the presence of various bases and anions gives well-formed solvated crystals of composition {[B(OCH3)4]3[C(NH2)3]4}+X-. The products in which X- = Cl- and PF6- are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The tetramethoxyborate and guanidinium components form a highly symmetrical (cubic) hydrogen-bonded 3D network having the "boracite topology" [i.e., the (63)(6284) topology]. Highly disordered solvent molecules and anions occupy methyl-surfaced cavities and channels that represent more than 30% of the space.