Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

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.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterization of Na2Cu5(Si2O7)2: An inorganic ferrimagnetic chain

The hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the new copper silicate Na₂Cu₅(Si₂O₇)₂, are reported. The crystal structure was determined through synchrotron powder diffraction data. The unit cell was indexed to a triclinic cell, space group P-1 (n° 2) with unit cell parameters a=5.71075(2) Å, b=7.68266(3) Å, c=7.96742(3) Å, α=64.2972(2)°, β=88.4860(2)° and γ=70.5958(2)° with Z=1. A structural model was obtained through a combination of a direct-space Monte-Carlo approach and Rietveld refinement. The crystal structure contains parallel chains consisting of zig-zag copper dimers and trimers. All silicon atoms are present as part of a [Si₂O₇]⁶⁻ anion that connects the chains; therefore the compound belongs to the sorosilicate mineral family. The magnetic susceptibility was measured and shows a behavior typical of one-dimensional ferrimagnetism, in agreement with the observed structure.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a novel organo-templated iron(III) borophosphate: (C3H12N2)Fe 6(H2O)4[B4P8O32(OH)8]

The organo-templated iron(III) borophosphate (C₃H₁₂N₂)Fe^III ₆(H₂O)₄[B₄P₈O₃₂(OH)₈] was prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions (at 443 K) and the crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray data at 295 K (monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a=5.014(2) Å, b=9.309(2) Å, c=20.923(7) Å, β=110.29(2)°, V=915.9(5) Å³, Z=2, R1=0.049, wR2=0.107 for all data, 2234 observed reflections with I>2σ(I)). The title compound contains a complex inorganic framework of borophosphate trimers [BP₂O₈(OH)₂]⁵⁻ together with FeO₄(OH)(H₂O)- and FeO₄(OH)₂-octahedra forming channels with ten-membered ring apertures in which the diaminopropane cations are located. The magnetization measurements confirm the Fe(III)-state and show an antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N≈14.0(1) K.     

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 and characterization of layered vanadium phosphite: [HN(C2H4)3N][(VO)2(HPO3)2(OH)(H2O)]·H2O

A novel compound, [HN(C₂H₄)₃N][(VO)₂(HPO₃)₂(OH)(H₂O)]·H₂O, was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group C2/c and cell parameters a=11.0753(3) Å, b=17.8265(6) Å, c=16.5229(5) Å, and β=92.362(2)°. The structure of the compound consists of vanadium phosphite layers which are built up from the infinite one-dimensional chains of [(VO)(H₂O)(HPO₃)₂]²⁻ of octahedral VO₅(H₂O) and pseudo pyramidal [HPO₃], and bridging binuclear fragments of [VO(OH)]₂. Thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic susceptibility data for this compound are given.     

Two new octahedral/pyramidal frameworks containing both cation channels and lone-pair channels: syntheses and structures of Ba2MnMn2(SeO3)6 and PbFe2(SeO3)4

The hydrothermal syntheses, single crystal structures, and some properties of Ba₂Mn^IIMn₂^III(SeO₃)₆ and PbFe₂(SeO₃)₄ are reported. These related phases contain three-dimensional frameworks of vertex (FeO₆) and vertex/edge linked (MnO₆) octahedra and SeO₃ pyramids. In each case, the MO₆/SeO₃ framework encloses two types of 8 ring channels, one of which encapsulates the extra-framework cations and one of which provides space for the Se^IV lone pairs. Crystal data: Ba₂Mn₃(SeO₃)₆, M_r=1201.22, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a=5.4717 (3) Å, b=9.0636 (4) Å, c=17.6586 (9) Å, β=94.519 (1)°, V=873.03 (8) Å³, Z=2, R(F)=0.031, wR(F²)=0.070; PbFe₂(SeO₃)₄, M_r=826.73, triclinic, (No. 2), a=5.2318 (5) Å, b=6.7925 (6) Å, c=7.6445 (7) Å, α=94.300 (2)°, β=90.613 (2)°, γ=95.224 (2)°, V=269.73 (4) Å³, Z=1, R(F)=0.051, wR(F²)=0.131.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and electrical characterization of two new potassium uranyl molybdates K2(UO2)2(MoO4)O2 and K8(UO2)8(MoO5)3O6

Two new potassium uranyl molybdates K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆ have been obtained by solid state chemistry . The crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected with MoKα radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector. Their structures were solved using direct methods and Fourier difference techniques and refined by a least square method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections, with R₁=0.046 for 136 parameters and 1412 reflections with I?2σ(I) for K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and R₁=0.055 for 257 parameters and 2585 reflections with I?2σ(I) for K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆. The first compound crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁/c with a=8.250(1) Å, b=15.337(2) Å, c=8.351(1) Å, β=104.75(1)°, ρ_mes=5.22(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.27(2) g/cm³ and Z=4. The second material adopts a tetragonal unit cell with a=b=23.488(3) Å, c=6.7857(11) Å, ρ_mes=5.44(3) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.49(2) g/cm³, Z=4 and space group P4/n.In both structures, the uranium atoms adopt a UO₇ pentagonal bipyramid environment, molybdenum atoms are in a MoO₄ tetrahedral environment for K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and MoO₅ square pyramid coordination in K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆. These compounds are characterized by layered structures. The association of uranyl ions (UO₇) and molybdate oxoanions MoO₄ or MoO₅, give infinite layers [(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂]²⁻ and [(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆]⁸⁻ in K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆, respectively. Conductivity properties of alkali metal within the interlayer spaces have been measured and show an Arrhenius type evolution.     

New process of preparation, structure, and physicochemical investigations of the new titanyl phosphate Ti2O(H2O)(PO4)2

New titanyl phosphate Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ has been prepared and characterized by X-ray and neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and Raman spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure has been solved from neutron powder diffraction data at 300 K by Rietveld method in P2₁ space group. The refinement led to satisfactory profile factors (R_p=2.7%, R_wp=3.2%) and crystal structure model indicators (R_B=5.8%, R_F=3.2%). The cell is monoclinic with a=7.3735 Å, b=7.0405 Å, c=7.6609 Å and β=121.48°, Z=4. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework built up by chains of [TiO₅(OH₂)] octahedra with alternative short bonds [Ti₍₁₎-O₍₁₂₎; Ti₍₂₎-O₍₁₂₎, 1.88-1.84 Å] and long ones [Ti₍₁₎-O_W; Ti₍₂₎-O_W, 2.25-2.23 Å] along c-axis and connected via [PO₄] tetrahedra. Oxygen atom denoted O₍₁₂₎ is only linked to two titanium atoms and Oxygen atom denoted O_W is linked to two titanium atoms and two hydrogen atoms. O₍₁₂₎ and O_W are not linked to P atoms and justify the titanyl phosphate formulation Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂. The infrared and Raman spectra presents peaks due to vibrations of Ti-O, P-O and O-H bonds. The ³¹P MAS NMR spectrum reveals two ³¹P resonance lines, in agreement with the structure which showed two crystallographic sites for phosphorus. The thermogravimetric analysis show that Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ is thermally stable until 400 °C. Above this temperature, it losses water and decomposes to Ti₅O₄(PO₄)₄ and TiP₂O₇.     

New binuclear vanadium(III) and (IV) squarate species: synthesis, structure and characterization of [V(OH)(H2O)2(C4O4)]2·2H2O and (NH4)[(VO)2(OH)(C4O4)2(H2O)3]·3H2O

Two new vanadium squarates have been synthesized, characterized by infrared and thermal behavior and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both structures are made of discrete, binuclear vanadium entity but in 1, [V(OH)(H₂O)₂(C₄O₄)]₂·2H₂O the vanadium atom is trivalent and the entity is neutral while in 2, (NH₄)[(VO)₂(OH)(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O, the vanadium atom is tetravalent and the entity is negatively charged, balanced by the presence of one ammonium ion. Both molecular anions are bridged by two terminal μ₂ squarate ligands. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, with lattice constants a=7.5112(10) Å, b=7.5603(8) Å, c=8.2185(8) Å, α=106.904(8)°, β=94.510(10)°, γ=113.984(9)° while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a=14.9340(15) Å, b=6.4900(9) Å, c=17.9590(19) Å and β=97.927(12)°. From the magnetic point of view, V(III) binuclear species show ferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures. However, no anomalies pointing to magnetic ordering are observed down to 2 K.     

New one-dimensional uranyl and neptunyl iodates: crystal structures of K3[(UO2)2(IO3)6](IO3)·H2O and K[NpO2(IO3)3]·1.5H2O

The uranyl and neptunyl(VI) iodates, K₃[(UO₂)₂(IO₃)₆](IO₃)·H₂O (1) and K[NpO₂(IO₃)₃]·1.5H₂O (2), have been prepared and crystallized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The structures of 1 and 2 both contain one-dimensional _∞¹[AnO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻(An=U,Np) ribbons that consist of approximately linear actinyl(VI) cations bound by iodate anions to yield AnO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. The AnO₇ units are linked by bridging iodate anions to yield chains that are in turn coupled by additional iodate anions to yield ribbons. The edges of the ribbons are terminated by monodentate iodate anions. For 1 and 2, K⁺ cations and water molecules separate the ribbons from one another. In addition, isolated iodate anions are also found between _∞¹[UO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻ ribbons in 1. In order to aid in the assignment of oxidation states in neptunyl containing compounds, a bond-valence sum parameter of 2.018 Å for Np(VI) bound exclusively to oxygen has been developed with b=0.37 Å. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 1, triclinic, , a=7.0609(4) Å, b=14.5686(8)  Å, c=14.7047(8)  Å, α=119.547(1)°, β=95.256(1)°, γ=93.206(1)°, Z=2, R(F)=2.49% for 353 parameters with 6414 reflections with I>2σ(I); (203 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 2, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=7.796(4)  Å, b=7.151(3)  Å, c=21.79(1)  Å, β=97.399(7)°, Z=4, R(F)=6.33% for 183 parameters with 2451 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, thermal, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic studies of the Mn5−xCox(HPO4)2(PO4)2(H2O)4 (x=1.25, 2, 2.5 and 3) finite solid solution

The Mn_5−xCo_x(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₄ (x=1.25, 2, 2.5, 3) finite solid solution has been synthesized by mild hydrothermal conditions under autogeneous pressure. The phases crystallize in the C2/c space group with Z=4, belonging to the monoclinic system. The unit-cell parameters obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction are: a=17.525(1), b=9.0535(6), c=9.4517(7) Å, β=96.633(5) ° being R1=0.0436, wR2=0.0454 for Mn75Co25; a=17.444(2), b=9.0093(9), c=9.400(1) Å, β=96.76(1) ° being R1=0.0381, wR2=0.0490 for Mn60Co40; a=17.433(2), b=8.9989(9), c=9.405(1) Å, β=96.662(9) ° being R1=0.0438, wR2=0.0515 for Mn50Co50 and a=17.4257(9), b=8.9869(5), c=9.3935(5) Å, β=96.685(4) ° being R1=0.0296, wR2=0.0460 for Mn40Co60. The structure consists of a three dimensional network formed by octahedral pentameric entities (Mn,Co)₅O₁₆(H₂O)₆ sharing vertices with the (PO₄)³⁻ and (HPO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra. The limit of thermal stability of these compounds is, approximately, 165 °C, near to this mean temperature the phases loose their water content in two successive steps. IR spectra show the characteristic bands of the water molecules and the phosphate and hydrogen-phosphate oxoanions. The diffuse reflectance spectra are consistent with the presence of MO₆ octahedra environments in slightly distorted octahedral geometry, except for the M(3)O₆ octahedron which presents a remarkable distortion and so a higher Dq parameter. The mean value for the Dq and B-Racah parameter for the M(1),(2)O₆ octahedra is 685 and 850 cm⁻¹, respectively. These parameters for the most distorted M(3)O₆ polyhedron are 825 and 880 cm⁻¹, respectively. The four phases exhibit antiferromagnetic couplings as the major magnetic interactions. However, a small spin canting phenomenon is observed at low temperatures for the two phases with major content in the anisotropic-Co(II) cation.     

Non-centrosymmetric Ba3Ti3O6(BO3)2

The compound previously reported as Ba₂Ti₂B₂O₉ has been reformulated as Ba₃Ti₃B₂O₁₂, or Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂, a new barium titanium oxoborate. Small single crystals have been recovered from a melt with a composition of BaTiO₃:BaTiB₂O₆ (molar ratio) cooled between 1100°C and 850°C. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction: hexagonal system, non-centrosymmetric space group, a=8.7377(11) Å, c=3.9147(8) Å, Z=1, wR(F²)=0.039 for 504 unique reflections. Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is isostructural with K₃Ta₃O₆(BO₃)₂. Preliminary measurements of nonlinear optical properties on microcrystalline samples show that the second harmonic generation efficiency of Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is equal to 95% of that of LiNbO₃.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two new hydrated borates, Zn8[(BO3)3O2(OH)3] and Pb[B5O8(OH)]·1.5H2O

Two new hydrated borates, Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O, have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions at 170 °C. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses showed that Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group R32 with a=8.006(2) Å, c=17.751(2) Å, Z=3 and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=6.656(2) Å, b=6.714(2) Å, c=10.701(2) Å, α=99.07(2)°, β=93.67(2)°, γ=118.87(1)°, Z=2. Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] represents a new structure type in which Zn-centered tetrahedra are connected via common vertices leading to helical ribbons _∞¹[Zn₈O₁₅(OH)₃]¹⁷⁻ that pack side by side and are further condensed through sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional _∞³[Zn₈O₁₁(OH)₃]⁹⁻ framework. The boron atoms are incorporated into the channels in the framework to complete the final structure. Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O is a layered compound containing double ring [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ building units that share exocyclic oxygen atoms to form a two-dimensional layer. Symmetry-center-related layers are stacked along the c-axis and held together by interlayer Pb²⁺ ions and water molecules via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The IR spectra further confirmed the existence of both triangular BO₃ and OH groups in Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃], and BO₃, BO₄, OH groups as well as guest water molecules in Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O.     

Synthesis, structure determination, and infrared spectroscopy of (NpO2)2(SO4)(H2O)4: Prevalence of cation-cation interactions and cationic nets in neptunyl sulfate compounds

The compound (NpO₂)₂(SO₄)(H₂O)₄ was synthesized by evaporation of a Np⁵⁺ sulfate solution. The crystal structure was determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction and refined to an R₁=0.0310. (NpO₂)₂(SO₄)(H₂O)₄ crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1, a=8.1102(7) Å, b=8.7506(7) Å, c=16.234(1) Å, α=90.242(2)°, β=92.855(2)°, γ=113.067(2)°, V=1058.3(2) Å³, and Z=2. The structure contains neptunyl pentagonal bipyramids that share vertices through cation-cation interactions to form a sheet or cationic net. The sheet is decorated on each side by vertex sharing with sulfate tetrahedra, and adjacent sheets are linked together through hydrogen bonding. A graphical representation of (NpO₂)₂(SO₄)(H₂O)₄ was constructed to facilitate the structural comparison to similar Np⁵⁺ compounds. The prevalence of the cationic nets in neptunyl sulfate compounds related to the overall stability of the structure is also discussed.     

Crystal structure and cation transport properties of the layered monodiphosphates Rb6Bi4(PO4)2(P2O7)3

Single crystals of the new Bi(III) phosphates, Rb₆Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃, have been isolated and their structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.077(1)Å, b=9.268(2)Å, c=36.418(6)Å, β=95.75(1)° and Z=8. The crystal structure is made up of BiO₅ and BiO₆ polyhedra sharing the corners with PO₄ tetrahedra and P₂O₇ diphosphate groups. The structure can be described as infinite anionic layers with composition [Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃]_∞⁶⁻ parallel to the [301] plane, connected via P-O-Bi bridges to form a three-dimensional open framework. This framework delimits tunnels running along [100] and [010] directions, where the rubidium ions reside. This compound exhibits a rubidium ion conduction but with rather low conductivity value at 640 K.     

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.     

Hydro(solvo)thermal synthesis and structural characterization of a new organically templated gallophosphate: [H3N(CH2)2NH3]1/2·[Ga5 (PO4)4(OH)4]

A new three-dimensional open-framework gallophosphate: [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃]_1/2·[Ga₅ (PO₄)₄(OH)₄] has been prepared by hydro(solvo)thermal synthesis in presence of ethylenediamine (en) as structure-directing agent. Its structure was determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis with the following crystal data: monoclinic space group C2/m, a=10.1604(9) Å, b=12.0085(15) Å, c=7.1892(7) Å, β=90.797(6)°, V=877.08(16) Å³, Z=2, R₁=0.0264, wR₂=0.0764. The total numbers of measured reflections and unique reflections were 3508 and 1300, respectively. It is built up from a new secondary building unit (SBU) Ga₄P₄O₂₀(OH)₄, in which Ga atoms exhibit distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination and P atoms are in tetrahedral coordination. The SBU Ga₄P₄O₂₀(OH)₄ are linked into a layer by bridge oxygen atoms. The GaO₄(OH)₂ octahedra link the layers into a three-dimentional framework. Diprotonated ethylenediamine was found in the channel of the framework. The material was characterized by IR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectra, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of (H4APPIP)[V3(C2O4)2(HPO4)3(PO4)(H2O)]·6H2O (APPIP=1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine), a layered vanadium oxalatophosphate containing double 6-ring units

A new vanadium(III) oxalatophosphate has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a=11.604(2) Å, b=12.391(2) Å, c=15.220(3) Å, α=71.090(3)°, β=82.630(3)°, γ=62.979(3)°, V=1843.8(5) Å³ and Z=2. The structure consists of V₆(HPO₄)₆ double 6-ring (D6R) units connected by coordinating C₂O₄²⁻ and PO₄³⁻ anions to form anionic sheets in the ab plane with charge-compensating quadruply protonated 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazinium cations and water molecules between the sheets. It is one of the few compounds with 2D layer structures and the second example containing D6R units in the system of metal oxalatophosphates. The iron analogue was also synthesized.