Ternary Mn/Ge/Se anions from reactions of [Ba2(H2O)9][GeSe4]: Synthesis and characterization of compounds containing discrete or polymeric [Mn6Ge4Se17]^6– units

[Ba2(H2O)9][GeSe4] is suitable for the formation of novel M/14/16 anions [Mn6Ge4Se17]^6– —discrete or linked in an as yet unprecedented porous network—with antiferromagnetically coupled MnII centers and relatively small electronic excitation energies.