Hydrogen bonded H3O+, H2O, HF, F− in fluoride metalates (Al, Cr, Fe, Zr, Ta) templated with tren (tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine)

The environment of H 3 O + , H 2 O, HF and F − species (non-bonded to metals) is considered in fluoride metalates which crystallise from the (Al(OH) 3 , Cr(OH) 3 , FeF 3 , ZrF 4 , Ta 2 O 5 )- tren -HF aq· –ethanol systems (microwave heating at 190 °C during 1 h). The presence of (H 3 O)(H 2 O) 6 + clusters or H 3 O + cations, of isolated or associated H 2 O molecules, of (HF 2 ) − and F − anions is evidenced. The thermal stability of the solids depends strongly on the nature of the hydrogen-bonded species associated with the preceding cations or anions and on the formation of water ribbons or layers.