Layered ruthenium hexagonal perovskites: The new series [Ba2Br2−2x(CO3)x][Ban+1RunO3n+3] with n=2, 3, 4, 5

Single crystals of the title compounds were prepared by solid state reactions from barium carbonate and ruthenium metal using a BaBr₂ flux and investigated by X-ray diffraction method using Mo(Kα) radiation and a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) detector. A structural model for the term n=2, Ba₅Ru₂Br₂O₉ (1) was established in the hexagonal symmetry, space group P6₃/mmc, a=5.8344(2) Å, c=25.637(2) Å, Z=2. Combined refinement and maximum-entropy method (MEM) unambiguously show the presence of CO₃²⁻ ions in the three other compounds (2, 3, 4). Their crystal structures were solved and refined in the trigonal symmetry, space group , a=5.8381(1) Å, c=15.3083(6) Å for the term n=3, Ba₆Ru₃Br_1.54(CO₃)_0.23O₁₂ (2), and space group , a=5.7992(1) Å, c=52.866(2) Å and a=5.7900(1) Å, c=59.819(2) Å for the terms n=4, Ba₇Ru₄Br_1.46(CO₃)_0.27O₁₅ (3), and n=5, Ba₈Ru₅Br_1.64(CO₃)_0.18O₁₈ (4), respectively. The structures are formed by the periodic stacking along [0 0 1] of (n+1) hexagonal close-packed [BaO₃] layers separated by a double layer of composition [Ba₂Br_2−2x(CO₃)_x]. The ruthenium atoms occupy the n octahedral interstices created in the hexagonal perovskite slabs and constitute isolated dimers Ru₂O₉ of face-shared octahedra (FSO) in 1 and isolated trimers Ru₃O₁₂ of FSO in 2. In 3 and 4, the Ru₂O₉ units are connected by corners either directly (3) or through a slab of isolated RuO₆ octahedra (4) to form a bidimensional arrangement of RuO₆ octahedra. These four oxybromocarbonates belong to the family of compounds formulated [Ba₂Br_2−2x(CO₃)_x][Ba_n+1Ru_nO_3n+3] where n represents the thickness of the octahedral string in hexagonal perovskite slabs. These compounds are compared to the oxychloride series.     

A TEM study of Ni ordering in the Ni6Se5−xTex, 0<x<∼1.7, system

The Ni₆Se_5−xTe_x, 0<x<∼1.7, system has been carefully investigated via electron diffraction and TEM imaging. They reveal a somewhat disordered modulated superstructure phase arising from Ni ion ordering within an essentially well-defined chalcogen sub-structure. As x, and the underlying parent substructure cell dimensions increase, the incommensurate primary modulation wave-vector q characteristic of this Ni ion ordering quickly swings from close to for x=0 towards for x?0.5. A lock-in to would formally transform the underlying parent Bmmb (a_p, b_p, c_p) structure into a P1a1 (a_s=2a_p, b_s=b_p, c_s=a_p+c_p) superstructure phase.     

Three-dimensional molecular network, [{Cu(dps)2(SO4)}·3H2O·DMF]n, and its different third-order NLO performance (dps=4,4′-dipyridyl sulfide)

A new three-dimensional non-interpenetrating coordination polymer, [{Cu(dps)₂(SO₄)}·3H₂O·DMF]_n (1) (dps=4,4′-dipyridyl sulfide) was synthesized and structurally characterized. 1 crystallizes in triclinic system, space group P−1 with cell parameters of a=10.9412(1) Å, b=11.8999(1) Å, c=12.5057(1) Å, V=1400.7(3) Å³, Z=2, D_c=1.573 g cm⁻³, F(0 0 0)=686, μ=1.059 mm⁻¹. R₁=0.0436, wR₂=0.1148. In the polymeric architecture, serve as bridging coligands to connect highly puckered [Cu₂(dps)₂]_n frameworks resulting in a 3D motif containing channels for guest molecule inclusion. Quantum chemistry calculation shows that the third-order NLO properties of polymer 1 are controlled by groups and dps ligands, and metal ions have less influence on the third-order NLO properties.     

One-dimensional chains in uranyl tungstates: Syntheses and structures of A8[(UO2)4(WO4)4(WO5)2] (A=Rb, Cs) and Rb6[(UO2)2O(WO4)4]

Three new uranyl tungstates, A₈[(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂] (A=Rb (1), Cs (2)), and Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄] (3), were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions and their structures were solved by direct methods on twinned crystals, refined to R₁=0.050, 0.042, and 0.052 for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, monoclinic P2₁/n, (1): a=11.100(7), b=13.161(9), , β=90.033(13)°, , Z=8 and (2): , , , β=89.988(2)°, , Z=8. There are four symmetrically independent U⁶⁺ sites that form linear uranyl [O=U=O]²⁺ cations with rather distorted coordination in their equatorial planes. There are six W positions: W(1) and W(2) have square-pyramidal coordination (WO₅), whereas W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) are tetrahedrally coordinated. The structures are based upon a novel type of one-dimensional (1D) [(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂]⁴⁻ chains, consisting of WU₄O₂₅ pentamers linked by WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₅ square pyramids. The chains run parallel to the a-axis and are arranged in modulated pseudo-2D-layers parallel to (0 1 0). The A⁺ cations are in the interlayer space between adjacent pseudo-layers and provide a 3D integrity of the structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first uranyl tungstates with 2/3 of W atoms in tetrahedral coordination. Such a high concentration of low-coordinated W⁶⁺ cations is probably responsible for the 1D character of the uranyl tungstate units. The compound 3 is triclinic, P1¯ a=10.188(2), b=13.110(2), , α=97.853(3), β=96.573(3), γ=103.894(3)°, , Z=4. There are four U positions in the structure with a typical coordination of a pentagonal bipyramid that contain uranyl ions, UO₂²⁺, as apical axes. Among eight W sites, the W(1), W(2), W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas the W(7) and W(8) cations have distorted fivefold coordination. The structure contains chains of composition [(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄]⁶⁻ composed of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and W polyhedra. The chains involve dimers of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that share common O atoms. The dimers are linked into chains by sharing corners with WO₄ tetrahedra. The chains are parallel to [−101] and are arranged in layers that are parallel to (1 1 1). The Rb⁺ cations provide linkage of the chains into a 3D structure. The compound 1 has many structural and chemical similarities to its molybdate analog, Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄]. However, the compounds are not isostructural. Due to the tendency of the W⁶⁺ cations to have higher-than-fourfold coordination, part of the W sites adopt distorted fivefold coordination, whereas all Mo atoms in the Mo compound are tetrahedrally coordinated. Distribution of the WO₅ configurations along the chain extension does not conform to its ‘typical’ periodicity. As a result, both the chain identity period and the unit-cell volume are doubled in comparison to the Mo analog, which leads to a new structure type.     

Magnetic and transport properties of RCr0.3Ge2 (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) compounds

The magnetic and transport properties of ternary rare-earth chromium germanides RCr_0.3Ge₂ (R=Y and Tb-Er) have been determined. X-ray and neutron diffraction studies indicate that these compounds have the CeNiSi₂-type structure (space group Cmcm) [1]. Magnetic measurements reveal the antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N equal to 18.5 K (R=Tb), 11.8 K (Dy), 5.8 K (Ho) and 3.4 K (Er). From the neutron diffraction data the magnetic structures have been determined. For TbCr_0.3Ge₂ and DyCr_0.3Ge₂ at low temperatures the magnetic ordering can be described by two vectors k₁=(,0,0) and k₂=(,0,), and k₁′=(,0,0) and k₂′=(,0,), respectively. In HoCr_0.3Ge₂ and ErCr_0.3Ge₂ the ordering can be described by one propagation vector equal to (,,0) and (0,0,0.4187(2)), respectively. In DyCr_0.3Ge₂ some change in the magnetic ordering is observed at T_t=5.1 K. In temperature range from T_t to T_N the magnetic ordering is given by one propagation vector k=(,0,0). YCr_0.3Ge₂ is a Pauli paramagnet down to 1.72 K which suggests that in the entire RCr_0.3Ge₂ series the Cr atoms do not carry magnetic moments. All compounds studied exhibit metallic character of the electrical conductivity. The temperature dependencies of the lattice parameters reveal strong magnetostriction effect at the respective Nèel temperatures.     

Phase transitions in K3AlF6

Phase transitions in the elpasolite-type K₃AlF₆ complex fluoride were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. Three phase transitions were identified with critical temperatures , and . The α-K₃AlF₆ phase is stable below T₁ and crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a=18.8588(2)Å, b=34.0278(2)Å, c=18.9231(1)Å, β=90.453(1)° (a=2a_c−c_c, b=4b_c, c=a_c+2c_c; a_c, b_c, c_c—the basic lattice vectors of the face-centered cubic elpasolite structure) and space group I2/a or Ia. The intermediate β phase exists only in very narrow temperature interval between T₁ and T₂. The γ polymorph is stable in the T₂<T<T₃ temperature range and has an orthorhombic unit cell with a=36.1229(6)Å, b=17.1114(3)Å, c=12.0502(3)Å (a=3a_c−3c_c, b=2b_c, c=a_c+c_c) at 250 °C and space group Fddd. Above T₃ the cubic δ polymorph forms with a_c=8.5786(4)Å at 400 °C and space group . The similarity between the K₃AlF₆ and K₃MoO₃F₃ compounds is discussed.     

Metal phosphonates containing pyridyl N-oxide groups: Syntheses of Cd{(2-C5H4NO)CH(OH)PO3}(H2O)2 and Zn{(4-C5H4NO)CH(OH)PO3} with chain and layer structures

This paper reports the syntheses and characterization of two phosphonate compounds Cd{(2-C₅H₄NO)CH(OH)PO₃}(H₂O)₂ (1) and Zn{(4-C₅H₄NO)CH(OH)PO₃} (2) based on hydroxy(2-pyridyl N-oxide)methylphosphonic and hydroxy(4-pyridyl N-oxide)methylphosphonic acids. Compound 1 has a chain structure in which dimers of edge-shared {CdO₆} octahedra are linked by {CPO₃} tetrahedra through corner-sharing. The pyridyl rings reside on the two sides of the inorganic chain. Compound 2 has a layer structure where the inorganic chains made up of corner-sharing {ZnO₄} and {CPO₃} tetrahedra are covalently connected by pyridyl N-oxide groups. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, space group , a=6.834(1) Å, b=7.539(1) Å, c=10.595(2) Å, α=84.628(3)°, β=74.975(4)°, γ=69.953(4)°. For 2: triclinic, space group , a=5.219(1) Å, b=8.808(2) Å, c=9.270(2) Å, α=105.618(5)°, β=95.179(4)°, γ=94.699(4)°.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the layered uranyl tellurites A2[(UO2)3(TeO3)2O2] (A=K, Rb, Cs)

The reactions of UO₃ and TeO₃ with KCl, RbCl, or CsCl at 800 °C for 5 d yield single crystals of A₂[(UO₂)₃(TeO₃)₂O₂] (A=K (1), Rb (2), and Cs (3)). These compounds are isostructural with one another, and their structures consist of two-dimensional sheets arranged in a stair-like topology separated by alkali metal cations. These sheets are comprised of zigzagging uranium(VI) oxide chains bridged by corner-sharing trigonal pyramidal TeO₃²⁻ anions. The chains are composed of dimeric, edge-sharing, pentagonal bipyramidal UO₇ moieties joined by edge-sharing tetragonal bipyramidal UO₆ units. The lone-pair of electrons from the TeO₃ groups are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another on each side of the sheets rendering each individual sheet non-polar. The alkali metal cations form contacts with nearby tellurite oxygen atoms as well as with oxygen atoms from the uranyl moieties. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, ): 1, triclinic, space group , , , , α=101.852(1)°, β=102.974(1)°, γ=100.081(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.70% for 98 parameters and 1697 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , , , α=105.590(2)°, β=101.760(2)°, γ=99.456(2)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.36% for 98 parameters and 1817 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, triclinic, space group , , , , α=109.301(1)°, β=100.573(1)°, γ=99.504(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.61% for 98 parameters and 1965 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Synthesis and characterization of two new open-framework zinc phosphites [M(C6N4H18)][Zn3(HPO3)4] (M=Ni, Co) with multi-directional intersecting 12-membered ring channels

Two new open-framework zinc phosphites, [M(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (M=Ni, Co), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that [Ni(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (1) and [Co(C₆N₄H₁₈)][Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (2) are isostructural and both crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with , , , β=109.83(3)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0408 (I>2σ(I)), and wR₂=0.1104 (all data) for 1, and , , , β=109.328(2)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0380 (I>2σ(I)), and wR₂=0.1093 (all data) for 2. The structures of 1 and 2 are built up from strictly alternating ZnO₄ tetrahedra and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids linked through oxygen vertices to form the three-dimensional (3-D) open-frameworks with multi-directional intersecting 12-membered ring (12-MR) channels. The M(TETA) (M=Ni, Co) complexes self-assembled under hydrothermal system connect with the inorganic host via M-O-P linkages and interact with inorganic framework through weak H-bonds. The two compounds show intense photoluminescence upon photoexcitation at 235 nm.     

A structure and phase analysis investigation of the “1:1” ordered A2InNbO6 perovskites (A=Ca, Sr, Ba)

The structures of the Ba₂InNbO₆, Sr₂InNbO₆ and Ca₂InNbO₆ “1:1” complex perovskites have been refined from neutron powder diffraction data. Both the A=Ca and Sr compounds occur at room temperature in P12₁/n1 (a=a_p+b_p, b=-a_p+b_p, c=2c_p) perovskite-related superstructures while the A=Ba compound occurs in the , a=2a_p, elpasolite structure type. In the case of the A=Ca compound, an extensive Ca₂[(Ca_2x/3In_1−xNb_x/3)Nb]O₆ ‘solid solution’ field spanning compositions between Ca₄Nb₂O₉ and Ca₂InNbO₆ in the CaO-InO_3/2-NbO_5/2 ternary phase diagram is shown to exist. Under the conditions of synthesis used, the ‘solid solution’ field stops just short of the ideal 1:1 Ca₂InNbO₆ composition.     

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.     

[Zn2(HPO3)2(H2PO3)][C3H5N2] and [Zn2(HPO3)3][C4H7N2]2·2H2O: Two new layered zinc phosphites with double 12-membered rings templated by imidazole and 2-methylimidazole

Two new zinc phosphites [Zn₂(HPO₃)₂(H₂PO₃)][C₃H₅N₂] 1 and [Zn₂(HPO₃)₃][C₄H₇N₂]₂·2H₂O 2 have been hydrothermally synthesized templated by imidazole and 2-methylimidazole. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the two compounds have the similar inorganic framework structures, which both exhibit 2D double layer structures with double 12-membered rings. Due to the different space-filling effect of the guest molecules, the stacking mode of adjacent layers and the arrangement mode of the organic amines are distinct. In 1, the adjacent layers are stacked in an -ABAB- sequence and monoprotonated imidazole molecules sit in the middle of 12MR windows, while in 2, the layers are stacked in an -AAAA- pattern. Monoprotonated 2-methylimidazole molecules occupy two different sites, one inserts into 12MR and the other resides in the interlayer region. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, P-1, , , , α=114.71(3)°, β=92.78(3)°, γ=113.04(3)°, , Z=2; for 2: triclinic, P-1, , , , α=68.244(7)°, β=76.143(7)°, γ=63.113(6)°, , Z=2.     

Monomeric and dimeric ruthenium thiooxalate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCOCO2Me and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO2Et

The hydrosulfido complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SH react with one equivalent of O-alkyl oxalyl chlorides (ROCOCOCl) to form the corresponding O-alkylthiooxalate complexes CpRu(L)(L′)SCOCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), (2); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Me (a), Et (b)). The reactions of the hydrosulfido complexes with half equivalent of oxalyl chloride produce the bimetallic complexes [CpRu(L)(L′)SCO]₂ (L = L′ = PPh₃ (4), (5); L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (6)). The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCOCO₂Me (1a) and CpRu(dppe)SCOCO₂Et (2b) are reported.     

Crystal chemistry and ion-exchange properties of the layered uranyl iodate K[UO2(IO3)3]

Single crystals of the potassium uranyl iodate, K[UO₂(IO₃)₃] (1), have been grown under mild hydrothermal conditions. The structure of 1 contains two-dimensional sheets extending in the [ab] plane that consist of approximately linear UO₂²⁺ cations bound by iodate anions to yield UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. There are three crystallographically unique iodate anions, two of which bridge between uranyl cations to create sheets, and one that is monodentate and protrudes in between the layers in cavities. K⁺ cations form long ionic contacts with oxygen atoms from the layers forming an eight-coordinate distorted dodecahedral geometry. These cations join the sheets together. Ion-exchange reactions have been carried out that indicate the selective uptake of Cs⁺ over Na⁺ or K⁺ by 1. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, ): 1, orthorhombic, Pbca, a=11.495(1) Å, b=7.2293(7) Å, c=25.394(2) Å, Z=8, R(F)=1.95% for 146 parameters with 2619 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

A family of three-dimensional porous coordination polymers with general formula (Kat)2[{M(H2O)n}3{Re6Q8(CN)6}2]·xH2O (Q=S, Se; n=1.5, 2)

The X-ray crystal structures of a series of new compounds (H₃O)₂[{Mn(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·19H₂O (1), (Me₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·13H₂O (2), (Me₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·3H₂O (3), (Et₄N)₂[{Mn(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·6.5H₂O (4), (Et₄N)₂[{Ni(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·6.5H₂O (5), and (Et₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·10H₂O (6) are reported. All six compounds are isostructural crystallizing in cubic space group with four formulae per unit cell. For compounds 1, 3-5 the following parameters were found: (1) a=19.857(2) Å, R1=0.0283; (3 at 150 K) a=19.634(1) Å, R1=0.0572; (4) a=20.060(2) Å, R1=0.0288; (5) a=19.697(2) Å, R1=0.0224. The structures consist three-dimensional cyano-bridged framework formed by cyano cluster anions [Re₆Q₈(CN)₆]⁴⁻, Q=S, Se and transition metal cations, M²⁺=Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺. Water molecules and large organic cations Me₄N⁺ and Et₄N⁺ are included in cavities of this framework. Porosity of the framework, its ability to accommodate different cations and water molecules by little changes in the structure, as well as distortion of coordination framework under loss of water of crystallization is discussed.     

Extended networks, porous sheets, and chiral frameworks. Thorium materials containing mixed geometry anions: Structures and properties of Th(SeO3)(SeO4), Th(IO3)2(SeO4)(H2O)3·H2O, and Th(CrO4)(IO3)2

Three novel Th(IV) compounds containing heavy oxoanions, Th(SeO₃)(SeO₄) (1), Th(IO₃)₂(SeO₄)(H₂O)₃·H₂O (2), and Th(CrO₄)(IO₃)₂ (3), have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. Each of these three distinct structures contain trigonal pyramidal and tetrahedral oxoanions. Compound 1 adopts a three-dimensional structure formed from ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms, trigonal pyramidal selenite, SeO₃^2-, anions containing Se(IV), and tetrahedral selenate, SeO₄^2-, anions containing Se(VI). The structure of 2 contains two-dimensional porous sheets and occluded water molecules. The Th centers are found as isolated ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms and are bound by four trigonal pyramidal iodate anions, two tetrahedral selenate anions, and three coordinating water molecules. In the structure of 3, the Th(IV) cations are found as ThO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms. Each Th center is bound by six IO₃^1- anions and three CrO₄^2- anions forming a chiral three-dimensional structure. Second-harmonic generation of 532 nm light from 1064 nm radiation by a polycrystalline sample of 3 was observed. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 1; monoclinic, P2₁/c; , , , β=103.128(1), Z=4, R(F)=2.47% for 91 parameters with 1462 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, monoclinic, P2₁/n, , , , β=100.142(2), Z=4, R(F)=4.71% for 158 parameters with 2934 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, , , , Z=4, R(F)=2.04% for 129 parameters with 2035 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Hybrid inorganic-organic 1-D and 2-D frameworks with {As8V14O42} clusters as building blocks

Three novel hetero-polyoxovanadates, [Cd(2,2′-bpy)₃]{[Cd(dien)]As₈V₁₄O₄₂(H₂O)} (1, 2,2′-bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, and dien=diethylenetriamine), [Zn(2,2′-bpy)₂]₂[As₈V₁₄O₄₂(H₂O)]·H₂O (2) and [Ni(en)₂]₃[As₈V₁₄O₄₂(HPO₃)]·4H₂O (3, en=ethlenediamine), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: 1 monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a=15.1728(5), b=19.2863(5), , β=96.005(2)°, Z=4. 2, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a=12.1270(3), b=15.8678(8), , Z=4. 3, triclinic, , a=12.9340(3), b=13.4130(3), , α=87.170(3)°, β=77.517(3)°, γ=68.480(3)°, Z=2. Compounds 1-3 are all made of the {As₈V₁₄O₄₂} shells linked by corresponding transition metal complexes into extended structures. Compound 1 and 2 present 1-D wave-like and tubular structures, respectively, while compound 3 exhibits a novel 2-D structure containing interwinding puckery layers. Variable temperature susceptibility measurements demonstrate the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction between V^IV cations in 1 and 2.     

Synthesis, structure of [H3dien]·(MF6)·H2O (M=Cr, Fe) and Fe Mössbauer study of [H3dien]·(FeF6)·H2O

Single crystals of [H₃dien]·(FeF₆)·H₂O (I) and [H₃dien]·(CrF₆)·H₂O (II) are obtained by solvothermal synthesis under microwave heating. I is orthorhombic (Pna2₁) with a=11.530(2) Å, b=6.6446(8) Å, c=13.787(3) Å, V=1056.3(2) Å³ and Z=4. II is monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a=13.706(1) Å, b=6.7606(6) Å, c=11.3181(9) Å, β=99.38(1)°, V=1034.7(1) Å³ and Z=4. The structure determinations, performed from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, lead to the R₁/wR₂ reliability factors 0.028/0.066 for I and 0.035/0.102 for II. The structures of I and II are built up from isolated FeF₆ or CrF₆ octahedra, water molecules and triprotonated amines. In both structures, each octahedron is connected by hydrogen bonds to six organic cations and two water molecules. The iron-based compound is also characterized by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry: the hyperfine structure confirms the presence of Fe³⁺ in octahedral coordination and reveals the existence of paramagnetic spin fluctuations.