Our research involves the solvothermal synthesis and characterization of new 3D open-framework and low dimensional inorganic materials. We focus on heavier group 14 elements to prepare structures that are analogous to aluminosilicate zeolites, but the main emphasis is to obtain cationic materials, a feat not possible with silicon oxides. We have successfully synthesized a series of novel compounds with Pb as building block: a cationic layered lead fluoride material (BING-5, Pb3F5NO3); a neutral, layered lead phenylphosphonate pyridine (BING-6); and a layered lead metamethylphenyl-phosphonate (BING-9). A molecular solid, tetrafluorodipyridine-germanium (BING-10) was also obtained. These structures are characterized by a variety of solid state techniques, including: powder X-Ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Vis spectroscopy and NMR. Our BING-5 material can exchange its interlayer NO3- for a variety of other anions. It is also stable to 450°C, which is far superior to organic resins that are still the standard for anion-exchange.