Preparation of p-nitrocalix[n]arene methyl ethers via ipso-nitration and crystal structure of tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene

Nitration of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arene methyl ethers under a variety of reaction conditions has been examined. It has been determined that amongst different nitration procedures adopted (AlCl₃/KNO₃, HNO₃/CH₃COOH, HNO₃/(CH₃CO)₂O, cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate/CH₃COOH), ipso-nitration with CH₃COOH/HNO₃ gives best yields of p-nitrocalixarenes and work up conditions. ipso-Nitration of tetramethoxytetra-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene gives tetramethoxytetra-p-nitrocalix[4]arene as triclinic crystals with space group with a=9.102(3) Å, b=11.623(3) Å, c=18.368(3) Å and α=77.99(2)°, β=81.10(2)°, γ=73.37(2)°. Its conformation is partial cone and it forms an exocylic 1:1 complex with DMF.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of two new one-dimensional cobalt (II) phosphites with organic amines acting as ligands

Two new one-dimensional (1D) inorganic-organic hybrid cobalt (II) phosphites Co(HPO₃) (py) (1) and [Co(OH)(py)₃][Co(py)₂][HPO₂(OH)]₃ (2) have been prepared under solvothermal conditions in the presence of pyridine (py). Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group p2(1)/c, a=5.3577(7) Å, b=7.7503(10) Å, c=17.816(2) Å, β=94.327(2)°, V=737.67(16) Å³, Z=4. Compound 2 is orthorhombic, Cmcm, a=16.3252(18) Å, b=15.7005(16) Å, c=13.0440(13) Å, β=90.00° V=3343.4(6) Å³ and Z=4. Compound 1 possesses a 1D ladder-like framework constructed from CoO₃N tetrahedral, HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids and pyridine ligands. While compound 2 is an unusual inorganic-organic hybrid 1D chain, which consists of corner-shared six-membered rings made of CoO₃N₃/CoO₄N₂ octahedra and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids through sharing vertices.     

Synthesis, structure, and characterization of hybrid materials: [Ce(H2O)]2[O2C(CH2)2CO2]3 and [Sm(H2O)]2[O2C(CH2)2CO2]3·H2O

The rare-earth dicarboxylate hybrid materials [Ce(H₂O)]₂[O₂C(CH₂)₂CO₂]₃ ([Ce(Suc)]) and [Sm(H₂O)]₂[O₂C(CH₂)₂CO₂]₃·H₂O ([Sm(Suc)]) have been hydrothermally synthesized (200°C, 3 days) under autogenus pressure. [Ce(Suc)] is triclinic, a=7.961 (3) Å, b=8.176 (5) Å, c=14.32 (2) Å, α=97.07° (7), β=96.75° (8), γ=103.73° (6), and z=2. The crystal structure of this compound has been determined using 3120 unique single crystal data. The final refinements let the agreement factors R₁ and wR₂(F²) converge to 0.0138 and 0.0363, respectively. [Ce(Suc)] is built up from infinite chains of edge-sharing nine-fold coordinated cerium atoms running along [100]. These chains are interconnected by the carbon atoms of the succinate anions, leading to a three-dimensional hybrid framework. The cell constants of [Sm(Suc)], isotypic with monoclinic C2/c [Pr(H₂O)]₂[O₂C(CH₂)₂CO₂]₃·H₂O ([Pr(Suc)]), were refined starting from X-ray powder data: a=20.275 (3) Å, b=7.919 (6) Å, c=14.130 (3) Å, and β=121.45° (1). Despite its lower symmetry, [Ce(Suc)] presents an important structural filiation with [Sm(Suc)]     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic property of a three-dimensional inorganic-organic hybrid material: Mn(H2O)[HO3PCH2NH(CH2CO2)2]

A novel three-dimensional inorganic-organic hybrid compound, Mn(H₂O)[HO₃PCH₂NH(CH₂CO₂)₂] from a hydrothermal reaction of Mn (II) ion with N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (H₄PMIDA) was reported. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/n with cell dimensions of a=5.215(5) Å, b=14.111(15) Å, c=12.727(12) Å, β=93.646(16)°, V=934.6(16) Å³ and Z=4. In this structure each Mn atom is six-coordinated with the carboxylic groups and phosphonic groups to form layers along the bc plane. These layers are further connected with the organic moieties of H₂PMIDA, resulting in a complicated three-dimensional network structure. Thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectrum and magnetic susceptibility of this compound are given.     

High-pressure high-temperature synthesis and crystal structure of the isotypic rare earth (RE)-thioborate-sulfides RE9[BS3]2[BS4]3S3, (RE=Dy-Lu)

Application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions (3.5 GPa at 1673 K for 5 h) to mixtures of the elements (RE:B:S=1:3:6) yielded crystalline samples of the isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE₉[BS₃]₂[BS₄]₃S₃, (RE=Dy-Lu), which crystallize in space group P6₃ (Z=2/3) and adopt the Ce₆Al_3.33S₁₄ structure type. The crystal structures were refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by applying the Rietveld method. Dy: a=9.4044(2) Å, c=5.8855(3) Å; Ho: a=9.3703(1) Å, c=5.8826(1) Å; Er: a=9.3279(12) Å, c=5.8793(8) Å; Tm: a=9.2869(3) Å, c=5.8781(3) Å; Yb: a=9.2514(5) Å, c=5.8805(6) Å; Lu: a=9.2162(3) Å, c=5.8911(3) Å. The crystal structure is characterized by the presence of two isolated complex ions [BS₃]^3- and [BS₄]^5- as well as [□(S^2-)₃] units.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

Crystal structure and phase transitions in perovskite-like C(NH2)3SnCl3

X-ray single-crystal diffraction, high-temperature powder diffraction and differential thermal analysis at ambient and high pressure have been employed to study the crystal structure and phase transitions of guanidinium trichlorostannate, C(NH₂)₃SnCl₃. At 295 K the crystal structure is orthorhombic, space group Pbca, Z=8, a=7.7506(2) Å, b=12.0958(4) Å and c=17.8049(6) Å, solved from single-crystal data. It is perovskite-like with distorted corner-linked SnCl₆ octahedra and with ordered guanidinium cations in the distorted cuboctahedral voids. At 400 K the structure shows a first-order order-disorder phase transition. The space group is changed to Pnma with Z=4, a=12.1552(2) Å, b=8.8590(2) Å and c=8.0175(1) Å, solved from powder diffraction data and showing disordering of the guanidinium cations. At 419 K, the structure shows yet another first-order order-disorder transformation with disordering of the SnCl₃⁻ part. The space group symmetry is maintained as Pnma, with a=12.1786(2) Å, b=8.8642(2) Å and c=8.0821(2) Å. The thermodynamic parameters of these transitions and the p-T phase diagram have been determined and described.     

Cation-controled formation of N,N′-dialkylimidazolium cadmium-thiocyanate complexes: synthesis and structural characterization

Three new N,N′-dialkylimidazolium salts of cadmium-thiocyanate, [EtMeIm]₂[Cd₂(SCN)₆] (2), [C₆H₄(CH₂ImMe)₂][Cd(SCN)₄] (3), [C₆Me₃(CH₂ImMe)₃][CdBr₃(SCN)](NO₃) (4) have been prepared, and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a=18.349(4) Å, b=7.8667(18) Å, c=21.399(5) Å, β=110.346(4)°, V=2896.1(11) Å³, Z=4, and R1=0.0561; 3, monoclinic, C2/c, a=20.347(7) Å, b=14.029(5) Å, c=9.380(3) Å, β=112.034(6)°, V=2482.1(15) Å³, Z=4, and R1=0.0397; 4, hexagonal, P6₃, a=b=10.7634(8) Å, c=16.0315(17) Å, V=1608.4(2) Å³, Z=2, and R1=0.0569. Compound 2 consists of triply bridged infinite one-dimensional cadmium-thiocyanate chains, and two independent cadmium atoms are octahedrally coordinated in 2N4S and 4N2S geometry, respectively. In 3, the cadmium atom is octahedrally coordinated with two cis N-bonded monodentate NCS⁻ ligands and four bridging SCN⁻ in a S trans to S, and N trans to N coordination fashion, and thus form doubly bridged infinite one-dimensional chains. Whereas 4 is mononuclear, consisting of a discrete [C₆Me₃(CH₂ImMe)₃]³⁺ cation, a nitrate, and [CdBr₃(SCN)]⁻ ion, and each cadmium(II) ion is coordinated to three bromide and one nitrogen atom of SCN⁻ ion. The structures of these compounds are dictated by the imidazolium cations.     

Hexatungstate subunit as building block in the hydrothermal synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid materials: synthesis, structure and optical properties of Co2(bpy)6 (W6O19)2 (bpy=4,4′-bipyridine)

A hydrothermal reaction of WO₃, CoCl₂ and 4,4′-bipyridine, yields a novel organic-inorganic hybrid compound, Co₂(bpy)₆(W₆O₁₉)₂, at 170°C. X-ray single crystal structure determination reveals a two-dimensional covalent structure belonging to monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a=19.971(4) Å, b=11.523(2) Å, c=16.138(3) Å, β=96.49(3)°, V=3690.0 Å³ and Z=2. The hexatungstate, [W₆O₁₉]²⁻, acts as a building block in bidentate fashion to bridge the Co(II) centers in the crystal structure. The title compound is found to have an optical energy gap of 2.2 eV from UV-Vis-NIR reflectance spectra.     

Synthesis and characterization of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds with a pillared layer structure: Ga2(4,4′-bpy)(XO4)2 (X=P, As)

Two organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(PO₄)₂, 1, and Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(AsO₄)₂, 2, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the triclinic space group (No. 2) with a=4.9723(9) Å, b=5.770(1) Å, c=11.812(2) Å, α=78.268(3)°, β=89.159(3)° γ=88.344(3)°, V=331.7(2) Å³, Z=1, and R1=0.0377 for 1, and a=5.1111(7) Å, b=5.9327(8) Å, c=11.788(2) Å, α=79.497(2)°, β=88.870(2)°, γ=88.784(2)°, V=351.3(2) Å³, and R1=0.0264 for 2. The structure consists of neutral sheets of GaXO₄ (X=P or As) which are pillared through 4,4′-bipyridine ligands. Each oxide layer, which is formed only by four-membered rings, is constructed from corner-sharing GaO₄N trigonal bipyramids and XO₄ tetrahedra. The title compounds are two of the few examples in which the gallium atoms are exclusively five-coordinate.     

Structural phase transition and magnetic properties of layered organic-inorganic hybrid compounds: p-Haloanilinium tetrachlorocuparate(II)

Compounds of the general formula A₂CuCl₄, (where A = 4-fluoroanilinium (1) and 4-chloroanilinium (2)) were prepared, structurally characterized and their thermal and magnetic properties studied. These compounds have a layered structure, distorted perovskite, where layers of CuCl₄²⁻ are sandwiched between a 4-haloanilinium cation bilayer. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study on (4-fluoroanilinium)₂CuCl₄, (1), shows that it crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with cell dimensions a = 15.5113(5) Å, b = 7.3788(2) Å, c = 7.0929(2) Å, β = 99.004(2)°, volume 801.81(4) Å³ at 150 K. Compound 2, (4-chloroanilinium)₂CuCl₄, crystallizes isostructurally to 1 at RT, but at 150 K it adopts the Pccn space group. This structural transition for 2 is reversible, and has been observed using Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) measurements. The dc-magnetic studies using a SQUID magnetometer suggest that both compounds are soft ferromagnets and show an onset of long range magnetic ordering below 9 K. The ac-susceptibility measurements confirm the presence of this ferromagnetic ordering in both the compounds.     

R12Pt7In (R=Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho)—new derivatives of the Gd3Ga2-type

A new compound Ce₁₂Pt₇In was synthesized and its crystal structure at 300 K has been determined from single crystal X-ray data. It is tetragonal, space group I4/mcm, Z=4, with the lattice parameters: a=12.102(1) Å and c=14.542(2) Å, wR2=0.1102, 842 F² values, 33 variable parameters. The structure of Ce₁₂Pt₇In is a fully ordered ternary derivative of the Gd₃Ga₂-type. Isostructural compounds has been found to form with Pr (a=11.976(1) Å, c=14.478(2) Å), Nd (a=11.901(1) Å, c=14.471(2) Å), Gd (a=11.601(3) Å, c=14.472(4) Å), and Ho (a=11.369(1) Å, c=14.462(2) Å). Magnetic properties of Ce₁₂Pt₇In, Pr₁₂Pt₇In and Nd₁₂Pt₇In were studied down to 1.7 K. All three ternaries order magnetically at low temperatures with complex spin arrangements. The electrical resistivity of Ce₁₂Pt₇In and Nd₁₂Pt₇In is characteristic of rare-earth intermetallics.     

Quaternary selenostannates Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 and AGaSnSe4 (A=K, Rb, and Cs) through rapid cooling of melts. Kinetics versus thermodynamics in the polymorphism of AGaSnSe4

The quaternary alkali-metal gallium selenostannates, Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ and AGaSnSe₄ (A=K, Rb, and Cs), were synthesized by reacting alkali-metal selenide, Ga, Sn, and Se with a flame melting-rapid cooling method. Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group C2 with cell constants a=13.308(3) Å, b=7.594(2) Å, c=13.842(3) Å, β=118.730(4)°, V=1226.7(5) Å³. α-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm with a=8.186(5) Å and c=6.403(5) Å, V=429.1(5) Å³. β-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with cell constants a=7.490(2) Å, b=12.578(3) Å, c=18.306(5) Å, β=98.653(5)°, V=1705.0(8) Å³. The unit cell of isostructural RbGaSnSe₄ is a=7.567(2) Å, b=12.656(3) Å, c=18.277(4) Å, β=95.924(4)°, V=1741.1(7) Å³. CsGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmcn with a=7.679(2) Å, b=12.655(3) Å, c=18.278(5) Å, V=1776.1(8) Å³. The structure of Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ consists of a polar three-dimensional network of trimeric (Sn,Ga)₃Se₉ units with Na atoms located in tunnels. The AGaSnSe₄ possess layered structures. The compounds show nearly the same Raman spectral features, except for Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆. Optical band gaps, determined from UV-Vis spectroscopy, range from 1.50 eV in Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ to 1.97 eV in CsGaSnSe₄. Cooling of the melts of KGaSnSe₄ and RbGaSnSe₄ produces only kinetically stable products. The thermodynamically stable product is accessible under extended annealing, which leads to the so-called γ-form (BaGa₂S₄-type) of these compounds.     

Building three-dimensional metal phosphites from the corner-shared four-membered rings chain

Three new compounds, a one-dimensional (1D) zinc phosphite, (C₄H₈N₂H₄)[Zn(HPO₃)₂] (I), two three-dimensional (3D) metal phosphites (C₄H₈N₂H₄)[Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (II) and (C₄H₈N₂H₄)[Zn_(3−x)Co_x(HPO₃)₄(H₂O)₂] (x≈0.83) (III) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions templated by piperazine and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, XRD, IR, UV-vis spectra and SQUID magnetometer. Compound I displays 1D chain-like structure, containing corner-shared (cs) four-membered rings. Interestingly, the structures of II and III show 1D chains similar to those observed in I. It is noteworthy that III represents the first cobalt-substituted zinc-phosphite. Crystal data: I, monoclinic, C2/c, a=17.748(2) Å, b=7.428(9) Å, c=8.8071(11) Å, β=105.345(3)°, V=1091.9 Å³, Z=4. II, Monoclinic P2₁/c, a=9.9435(4) Å, b=10.1438(3) Å, c=17.8164(5) Å, β=95.665(2)°, V=1788.27 Å³, Z=4, and III, Monoclinic P2₁/c, a=7.2338(2) Å, b=15.0238(5) Å, c=9.2153(3) Å, β=107.741(2)°, V=953.88(5) Å³, Z=2.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and optical spectroscopy of Ln2(SO4)3·8H2O (Ln=Ho, Tm) and Pr2(SO4)3·4H2O

The lanthanide sulphate octahydrates Ln₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O (Ln=Ho, Tm) and the respective tetrahydrate Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O were obtained by evaporation of aqueous reaction mixtures of trivalent rare earth oxides and sulphuric acid at 300 K. Ln₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O (Ln=Ho, Tm) crystallise in space group C2/c (Z=4, a_Ho=13.4421(4) Å, b_Ho=6.6745(2) Å, c_Ho=18.1642(5) Å, β_Ho=102.006(1) Å³ and a_Tm=13.4118(14) Å, b_Tm=6.6402(6) Å, c_Tm=18.1040(16) Å, β_Tm=101.980(8) Å³), Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O adopts space group P2₁/n (a=13.051(3) Å, b=7.2047(14) Å, c=13.316(3) Å, β=92.55(3) Å³). The vibrational and optical spectra of Ho₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O and Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O are also reported.     

Crystal structures and photocatalysis of the triclinic polymorphs of BiNbO4 and BiTaO4

The high-temperature polymorphs of two photocatalytic materials, BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ were synthesized by the ceramic method. The crystal structures of these materials were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ crystallize into the triclinic system P1¯ (No. 2), with a=5.5376(4) Å, b=7.6184(3) Å, c=7.9324(36) Å, α=102.565(3)°, β=90.143(2)°, γ=92.788 (4)°, V=326.21 (5) Å³, Z=4 and a=5.931 (1) Å, b=7.672 (2) Å, c=7.786 (2) Å, α=102.94 (3)°, β=90.04 (3)° γ=93.53 (3)°, V=344.59 (1) Å³ and Z=4, respectively. The structures along the c-axis, consist of layers of [Bi₂O₂] units separated by puckered sheets of (Nb/Ta)O₆ octahedra. Photocatalytic studies on the degradation of dyes indicate selectivity of BiNbO₄ towards aromatics containing quinonic and azo functional groups.     

Crystal structures of syndiotactic poly(p-methylstyrene) clathrates with two guest molecules having very similar shape and volume

In the present paper we report on the clathrate structures of syndiotactic poly(p-methylstyrene) (s-PPMS) containing chlorobenzene (cell constants: a = 23.5 Å, b = 12.0 Å, c = 7.9 Å and γ = 112.4°; space group: P2₁/a) and toluene (cell constants: a = 19.5 Å, b = 13.5 Å, c = 7.9 Å and γ = 90°; space group: P2₁). Despite the extreme similarity between the shape and volume of these two molecules, they give rise to completely different clathrate structures, the first belonging to α class, the second belonging to β class. Moreover the clathrate form containing chlorobenzene represent the first case in which a α class clathrate form of s-PPMS contains two guest molecules in each cavity while the crystal structure here proposed for the s-PPMS/toluene clathrate represents a new example of chiral crystalline phase in which the polymer helices assume all the same chirality in the lattice. These results underline the fact that the choice of a particular structural organization in the process of clathrates’ formation of s-PPMS is not easily referable only to steric effects but seems to be dependant even on the chemical structure of the guest molecules. A comparison with syndiotactic polystyrene is also done.     

La(Li1/3Ti2/3)O3: a new 1:2 ordered perovskite

A new 1:2 ordered perovskite La(Li_1/3Ti_2/3)O₃ has been synthesized via solid-state techniques. At temperature >1185°C, Li and Ti are randomly distributed on the B-sites and the X-ray powder patterns can be indexed in a tilted (b⁻b⁻c⁺) Pbnm orthorhombic cell (a=a_c√2=5.545 Å, b=a_c√2=5.561 Å, c=2a_c=7.835 Å). However, for T?1175°C, a 1:2 layered ordering of Li and Ti along 〈111〉_c yields a structure with a P2₁/c monoclinic cell with a=a_c√6=9.604 Å, b=a_c√2=5.552 Å, c=a_c3√2=16.661 Å, β=125.12°. While this type of order is well known in the A²⁺(B²⁺_1/3B⁵⁺_2/3)O₃ family of niobates and tantalates, La(Li_1/3Ti_2/3)O₃ is the first example of a titanate perovskite with a 1:2 ordering of cations on the B-sites.     

Crystal chemistry of M[PO2(OH)2]2·2H2O compounds (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd): Structural investigation of the Ni, Zn and Cd salts

The compounds M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) were prepared from super-saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray structure investigations of members with M=Ni, Zn, Cd were performed at 295 and 120 K. The space-group symmetry is P2₁/n, Z=2. The unit-cell parameters are at 295/120 K for M=Ni: a=7.240(2)/7.202(2), b=9.794(2)/9.799(2), c=5.313(1)/5.285(1) Å, β=94.81(1)/94.38(1)°, V=375.4/371.9 Å³; M=Zn: a=7.263(2)/7.221(2), b=9.893(2)/9.899(3), c=5.328(1)/5.296(2) Å, β=94.79(1)/94.31(2)°, V=381.5/377.5 Å³; M=Cd: a=7.356(2)/7.319(2), b=10.416(2)/10.423(3), c=5.407(1)/5.371(2) Å, β=93.85(1)/93.30(2)°, V=413.4/409.1 Å³. Layers of corner-shared MO₆ octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra are linked by three of the four crystallographically different hydrogen bonds. The fourth hydrogen bond (located within the layer) is worth mentioning because of the short O_h?O bond distance of 2.57-2.61 Å at room temperature (2.56-2.57 Å at 120 K); only for M=Mg it is increased to 2.65 Å. Any marked temperature-dependent variation of the unit-cell dimension is observed only vertical to the layers. The analysis of the infrared (IR) spectroscopy data evidences that the internal PO₄ vibrations are insensitive to the size and the electronic configuration of the M²⁺ ions. The slight strengthening of the intra-molecular P-O bonds in the Mg salt is caused by the more ionic character of the Mg-O bonds. All IR spectra exhibit the characteristic “ABC trio” for acidic salts: 2900-3180 cm⁻¹ (A band), 2000-2450 cm⁻¹ (B band) and 1550-1750 cm⁻¹ (C band). Both the frequency and the intensity of the A band provide an evidence that the PO₂(OH)₂ groups in M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O compounds form weaker hydrogen bonds as compared with other acidic salts with comparable O?O bond distances of about 2.60 Å. The observed shift of the O-H stretching vibrations of the water molecule in the order M=Mg>Mn≈Fe≈Co>Ni>Zn≈Cd has been discussed with respect to the influence of both the character and the strength of M↔H₂O interactions.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of two novel vanadium selenites, {[VO(OH)(H2O)](SeO3)}4·2H2O and (H3NCH2CH2NH3)[(VO)(SeO3)2]

Two novel vanadium selenites {[VO(OH)(H₂O)](SeO₃)}₄·2H₂O 1 and (H₃NCH₂CH₂NH₃)[(VO)(SeO₃)₂] 2 were synthesized by hydrothermal method and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It is characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), thermogravimetric (TG) and elemental analyses. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a=21.2250(11) Å, b=12.6309(6) Å, c=17.0249(10) Å, β=96.830(3)°, V=4531.8(4) Å³ and Z=8, R₁ [I>2σ(I)]=0.0344, wR₂ [I>2σ(I)]=0.119; Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, a=9.6389(4) Å, b=6.9922(3) Å, c=15.0324(5) Å, β=102.297(2)°, V=989.90(7) Å³ and Z=4, R₁ [I>2σ(I)]=0.0452, wR₂ [I>2σ(I)]=0.117. {[VO(OH)(H₂O)](SeO₃)}₄·2H₂O has a 1D structure constructed from the {[VO(OH)(H₂O)](SeO₃)}_∞ chains. (H₃NCH₂CH₂NH₃)[(VO)(SeO₃)₂] has a layered structure composed of alternating VO₅ and SeO₃ units with protonated ethylenediamine as interlayer guest.