Synthesis, thermal stability, and structure of bis(citrato)germanates: [Co(Phen)3][Ge(HCit)2] · 2H2O, [Fe(Phen)3][Ge(HCit)2] · 4H2O (H4Cit = citric acid, Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)

Synthetic procedures were developed and the complexes [Fe(Phen)3][Ge(HCit)2] · 4H2O (I) and [Co(Phen)3][Ge(HCit)2] · 2H2O (II) (Phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, H4Cit is citric acid) were obtained. The identity, composition, and thermal stability of the complexes were established by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy. According to X-ray diffraction data (CIF files CCDC nos. 1515837 (I) and 1515838 (II)), complexes I and II are different-metal cation–anion complexes with the same bis(citrato)germanate anion Ge(HCit)2]2–. The charge of the complex anions is counterbalanced by the octahedral complex cations, [Fe(Phen)3]2+ (I) or [Co(Phen)3]2+ (II).