POLYHEDRAL CLATHRATE HYDRATES .15. STRUCTURE OF 4(CH3)3N.41H2O

The crystal structure determination of 4(CH3) 3N·41H2O shows that the trimethylamine guest molecules are hydrogen bonded within voids formed by a polyhedral host lattice of hydrogen-bonded water. The water framework consists mainly of sheets formed by face-sharing dodecahedra which are linked by additional water molecules. The amine molecules occupy large irregular cages between the layers of dodecahedra. The amine and the linking water molecules are statistically disordered so that a hexagonal structure is observed, whereas an ordered arrangement would have monoclinic symmetry.