A Cationic Cesium Continuum in Zeolite X

Abstract
A cesium continuum that fills the channels and cavities of zeolite X has been prepared, and its structure has been determined by single-crystal x-ray crystallography. The three-dimensional continuum is cationic to balance the negative charge of the zeolite framework. Its valence electrons, only 0.3 per Cs+ ion, are widely delocalized over 95 percent of the cesium ions in the crystal. The continuum has a unit cell formula of (Cs122)86+ and contains Cs13 and Cs14 clusters (one per supercage) arranged like the atoms in diamond, with one Cs2 appendix (in the sodalite cavity) per cluster.