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.     

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.     

A novel open-framework with non-crossing channels in the uranyl vanadates A(UO2)4(VO4)3 (A=Li, Na)

A new sodium uranyl vanadate Na(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and its structure determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the tetragonal symmetry with space group I4₁/amd and following cell parameters: a=7.2267(4) Å and c=34.079(4) Å, V=1779.8(2) Å³, Z=4 with ρ_mes=5.36(3) g/cm³ and ρ_cal=5.40(2) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F² yielded R₁=0.028 and wR₂=0.056 for 52 parameters with 474 independent reflections with I?2σ(I) collected on a BRUKER AXS diffractometer with MoKα radiation and a CCD detector. The crystal structure is characterized by _∞²[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)] sheets parallel to (001) formed by corner-shared UO₆ distorted octahedra and V(2)O₄ tetrahedra, connected by V(1)O₄ tetrahedra to _∞¹[UO₅]⁴⁻ chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternately parallel to the a- and b-axis. The resulting three-dimensional framework creates mono-dimensional channels running down the a- and b-axis formed by face-shared oxygen octahedra half occupied by Na. The powder of Li analog compound Li(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction. The two compounds exhibit high mobility of the alkaline ions within the two-dimensional network of non-intersecting channels.     

Synthesis and structure of [C6H14N2][(UO2)4(HPO4)2(PO4)2(H2O)]·H2O: An expanded open-framework amine-bearing uranyl phosphate

A new open-framework compound, [C₆H₁₄N₂][(UO₂)₄(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O, (DUP-1) has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The resulting structure consists of diprotonated DABCOH₂²⁺ (C₆H₁₄N₂²⁺) cations and occluded water molecules occupying the channels of a complex uranyl phosphate three-dimensional framework. The anionic lattice contains uranophane-like sheets connected by hydrated pentagonal bipyramidal UO₇ units. [C₆H₁₄N₂][(UO₂)₄(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O possesses five crystallographically unique U centers. U(VI) is present here in both six- and seven-coordinate environments. The DABCOH₂²⁺ cations are held within the channels by hydrogen bonds to both two uranyl oxygen atoms and a μ₂-O atom. Crystallographic data (193 K, Mo Kα, λ=0.71073 Å): DUP-1, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a=7.017(1) Å, b=21.966(4) Å, c=17.619(3) Å, β=90.198(3)°, Z=4, R(F)=4.76% for 382 parameters with 6615 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 syntheses and structures of the uranyl tellurates AgUO2(HTeO5) and Pb2UO2(TeO6)

Two uranyl tellurates, AgUO₂(HTeO₅) (1) and Pb₂UO₂(TeO₆) (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and were structurally, chemically, and spectroscopically characterized. 1 crystallizes in space group Pbca, a=7.085(2) Å, b=11.986(3) Å, c=13.913(4) Å, V=1181.5(5) Å³, Z=8; 2 is in P2(1)/c, a=5.742(1) Å, b=7.789(2) Å, c=7.928(2) Å, V=90.703(2) Å³, and Z=2. These are the first structures reported for uranyl compounds containing tellurate. The U⁶⁺ cations are present as (UO₂)²⁺ uranyl ions that are coordinated by O atoms to give pentagonal and square bipyramids in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The structural unit in 1 is a sheet consisting of chains of edge-sharing uranyl pentagonal bipyramids that are one bipyramid wide, linked through the dimers of TeO₆ octahedra. In 2, uranyl square bipyramids share each of their equatorial vertices with different TeO₆ octahedra, giving a sheet with the autunite-type topology. Sheets in 1 and 2 are connected through the low-valence cations that are located in the interlayer region. The structures of 1 and 2 are compared to those of uranyl compounds containing octahedrally coordinated cations.     

Combinatorial topology of uranyl molybdate sheets: syntheses and crystal structures of (C6H14N2)3[(UO2)5(MoO4)8](H2O)4 and (C2H10N2)[(UO2)(MoO4)2]

Two new mixed organic-inorganic uranyl molybdates, (C₆H₁₄N₂)₃[(UO₂)₅(MoO₄)₈](H₂O)₄ (1) and (C₂H₁₀N₂)[(UO₂)(MoO₄)₂] (2), have been obtained by hydrothermal methods. The structure of 1 [triclinic, , Z=1, a=11.8557(9), b=11.8702(9), c=12.6746(9) Å, α=96.734(2)°, β=91.107(2)°, γ=110.193(2)°, V=1659.1(2) Å] has been solved by direct methods and refined on the basis of F² for all unique reflections to R1=0.058, which was calculated for the 5642 unique observed reflections (|F_o|?4σ_F). The structure contains topologically novel sheets of uranyl square bipyramids, uranyl pentagonal bipyramids, and MoO₄ tetrahedra, with composition [(UO₂)₅(MoO₄)₈]⁶⁻, that are parallel to (−101). H₂O groups and 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]-octane (DABCO) molecules are located in the interlayer, where they provide linkage of the sheets. The structure of 2 [triclinic, , Z=2, a=8.4004(4), b=11.2600(5), c=13.1239(6) Å, α=86.112(1)°, β=86.434(1)°, γ=76.544(1)°, V=1203.14(10) Å] has been solved by direct methods and refined on the basis of F² for all unique reflections to R1=0.043, which was calculated for 5491 unique observed reflections (|F_o|?4σ_F). The structure contains topologically novel sheets of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and MoO₄ tetrahedra, with composition [(UO₂)(MoO₄)₂]²⁻, that are parallel to (110). Ethylenediamine molecules are located in the interlayer, where they provide linkage of the sheets. All known topologies of uranyl molybdate sheets of corner-sharing U and Mo polyhedra can be described by their nodal representations (representations as graphs in which U and Mo polyhedra are given as black and white vertices, respectively). Each topology can be derived from a simple black-and-white graph of six-connected black vertices and three-connected white vertices by deleting some of its segments and white vertices.     

Syntheses, structure and magnetic properties of pillared layered diphosphonates: M2(O3PC6H4PO3)(H2O)2 (M=Co, Ni)

This paper describes the hydrothermal syntheses of two isostructural metal bisphosphonates: M₂(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃)(H₂O)₂ [M=Co^II (1), Ni^II (2)]. Single-crystal structure determination of compound 1 revealed a pillared layered structure in which the phenyl groups connect the inorganic layers of cobalt phosphonate. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Pnnm, a=19.306(5), b=4.8293(12), c=5.6390(14) Å, V=525.7(2) Å³, Z=2. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated in both cases.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

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).     

Three-dimensional framework of uranium-centered polyhedra with non-intersecting channels in the uranyl oxy-vanadates A2(UO2)3(VO4)2O (A=Li, Na)

The uranyl vanadates A₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O (A=Li, Na) have been synthesized by solid-state reaction and the structure of the Li compound was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure is built from chains of edge-shared U(2)O₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternatively parallel to - and -axis and further connected together to form a three-dimensional (3-D) arrangement. The perpendicular chains are hung on both sides of a sheet parallel to (001), formed by U(1)O₆ square bipyramids connected by VO₄ tetrahedra, and derived from the autunite-type sheet. The resulting 3-D framework creates non-intersecting channels running down the - and -axis formed by empty face-shared oxygen octahedra, the Li⁺ ions are displaced from the center of the channels and occupy the middle of one edge of the common face. The peculiar position of the Li⁺ ion together with the full occupancy explain the low conductivity of Li₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O compared with that of Na(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ containing the same type of channels half occupied by Na⁺ ions in the octahedral sites.Crystallographic data for Li₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O: tetragonal, space group I41/amd, , , , Z=4, ρ_mes=5.32(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.36(3) g/cm³, full-matrix least-squares refinement basis on F² yielded, R₁=0.032, wR₂=0.085 for 37 refined parameters with 364 independent reflections with I?2σ(I).     

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.     

Two isotypic diphosphates LiM2H3(P2O7)2 (M=Ni, Co) containing ferromagnetic zigzag MO6 chains

Two new isotypic phosphates LiNi₂H₃(P₂O₇)₂ (1) and LiCo₂H₃(P₂O₇)₂ (2) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the lattice: a=10.925(2) Å, b=12.774(3) Å, c=8.8833(18) Å, β=123.20(3)° for 1 and a=10.999(2) Å, b=12.863(3) Å, c=8.9419(18) Å, β=123.00(3)° for 2. The transition metal atoms are octahedrally coordinated, whereas the lithium and phosphorus atoms are all tetrahedrally coordinated. As the lithium-induced derivatives of MH₂P₂O₇ (M=Ni, Co), 1 and 2 possess the same structure with MH₂P₂O₇ in terms of topology, comprising the MO₆ zigzag chains and P₂O₇ as the interchain groups. The magnetisms of 1 and 2 could be interpreted by adopting a quasi-one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain model as that in their parent compounds: both 1 and 2 have ferromagnetic (FM) NiO₆/CoO₆ chains; 1 shows a FM cluster glass behavior at low temperatures, which is originated from the possible antiferromagnetic (AFM) next-nearest-neighbour intrachain interactions; 2 shows a AFM ordering at T_N=2.6 K and a metamagnetic transition at H_C=4.2 kOe at 1.8 K.     

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.     

Solid-state conformation of diastereomeric -Pro-Pro-(Aib)4 sequences

The crystal structures of two diastereomeric -Pro-Pro-(Aib)₄- sequences, Cbz-l-Pro-l-Pro-(Aib)₄-OMe (1) and Cbz-d-Pro-l-Pro-(Aib)₄-OMe (2), have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The crystals of the two compounds were characterized by the following parameters: (1) monoclinic, P2₁, a=10.543 Å, b=8.103 Å, c=22.642 Å, β=97.679, Z=2, R₁=0.104, and R_w=0.327; (2) orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a=10.470 Å, b=10.953 Å, c=32.405 Å, Z=4, R₁=0.040, and R_w=0.046. In the asymmetric unit of 1, the homochiral l-Pro¹-l-Pro² adopts a polyproline II structure, which induces a left-handed (M) 3₁₀-helical structure in the following -(Aib)₄- sequence. The preferred conformation of diastereomeric 2, which contains heterochiral d-Pro¹-l-Pro² segments, was similar to that of 1 with differences at the N-terminal d-Pro residue.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new uranyl oxychloro-vanadate layered compounds: M7(UO2)8(VO4)2O8Cl with M=Rb, Cs

Two new alkali uranyl oxychloro vanadates M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl with M=Rb, Cs, have been synthesized by solid-state reactions and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with space groups Pmcn and Pmmn, respectively. The a and b unit cell parameters are almost identical in both compounds while the c parameter in the Rb compound is doubled: Rb—a=21.427(5) Å, b=11.814(3) Å, c=14.203(3) Å, V=3595.1(1) Å³, Z=4, ρ_mes=5.93(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.82(1) g/cm³; Cs—a=21.458(3) Å, b=11.773(2) Å, c=7.495(1) Å, V=1893.6(5) Å³, Z=2, ρ_mes=6.09(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=6.11(1) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement yielded R₁=0.0221, wR₂=0.0562 for 2675 independent reflections and R₁=0.0386, wR₂=0.1042 for 2446 independent reflections, for the Rb and Cs compounds, respectively. Data were collected with Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector of a Bruker diffractometer. Both structures are characterized by [(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl]_n⁷ⁿ⁻ layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are built up from VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids, and UO₆ distorded octahedra. The UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids are associated by sharing opposite equatorial edges to form infinite chains (UO₅-UO₄Cl-UO₅)_n parallel to the a axis. These chains are linked together by VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₆ octahedra, UO₇ corner sharing and UO₆Cl, Cl sharing. Both structures differ simply by the symmetry of the layers. The unit cell contains one centrosymmetric layer in the Cs compound, whereas in the two-layer unit cell of the Rb compound, two non-centrosymmetric consecutive layers are related by an inversion center. The layers appear to be held together by the alkali ions. The mobility of the M⁺ ions within the interlayer space in M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl and carnotite analog compounds is compared.     

Formation and structural characterization of novel polynuclear palladium selenolato complexes [Pd3Se(SePh)3(PPh3)3]Cl and [Pd6Cl2Se4(SePh)2(PPh3)6]

In addition to well-known dinuclear phenylselenolato palladium complexes, the reaction of [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] and NaSePh affords small amounts of novel trinuclear and hexanuclear complexes [Pd₃Se(SePh)₃(PPh₃)₃]Cl (1) and [Pd₆Cl₂Se₄(SePh)₂(PPh₃)₆] (2). Complex 1 is triclinic, P1?, a=13.6310(2), b=16.2596(2), c=16.9899(3) Å, α=83.1738(5), β=78.9882(5), γ=78.7635(5)°. Complex 2 is monoclinic, C2/c, a=25.7165(9), b=17.6426(8), c=27.9151(14) Å, β=110.513(2)°. There are no structural forerunners for 1, but the hexanuclear complex 2 is isostructural with [Pd₆Cl₂Te₄(TeR)₂(PPh₃)₆] (R=Ph, C₄H₃S) that have been observed as one of the products in the oxidative addition of R₂Te₂ to [Pd(PPh₃)₄]. Mononuclear palladium complexes may play a significant role as building blocks in the formation of the polynuclear complexes.     

The A1−xUNbO6−x/2 compounds (x=0, A=Li, Na, K, Cs and x=0.5, A=Rb, Cs): from layered to tunneled structure

Attempts to prepare alkaline metal uranyl niobates of composition A_1−xUNbO_6−x/2 by high-temperature solid-state reactions of A₂CO₃, U₃O₈ and Nb₂O₅ led to pure compounds for x=0 and A=Li (1), Na (2), K (3), Cs (4) and for x=0.5 and A=Rb (5), Cs (6). Single crystals were grown for 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and for the mixed Na_0.92Cs_0.08UNbO₆ (7) compound. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=10.3091(11), b=6.4414(10), c=7.5602(5) Å, β=100.65(1), Z=4, R₁=0.054 (wR₂=0.107); 3, 5 and 7 orthorhombic, Pnma, Z=8, with a=10.307(2), 10.272(4) and 10.432(3) Å, b=7.588(1), 7.628(3) and 7.681(2) Å, c=13.403(2), 13.451(5) and 13.853(4) Å, R₁=0.023, 0.046 and 0.036 (wR₂=0.058, 0.0106 and 0.088) for 3, 5 and 7, respectively; 6, orthorhombic, Cmcm, Z=8, and a=13.952(3), b=10.607(2) Å, c=7.748(2) Å, R₁=0.044 (wR₂=0.117).The crystal structure of 1 is characterized by layers of uranophane sheet anion topology parallel to the (100) plane. These layers are formed by the association by edge-sharing of chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and chains of corner-shared NbO₅ square pyramids alternating along the [010] direction. The Li⁺ ions are located between two consecutive layers and hold them together; the Li⁺ ions and two layers constitute a neutral “sandwich” {(UNbO₆)⁻-(Li)₂²⁺-(UNbO₆)⁻}. In this unusual structure, the neutral sandwiches are stacked one above another with no formal chemical bonds between the neutral sandwiches.The homeotypic compounds 3, 5, 6, 7 have open-framework structures built from the association by edge-sharing in two directions of parallel chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and ribbons of two edge-shared NbO₆ octahedra further linked by corners. In 3, 5 and 7, the mono-dimensional large tunnels created in the [001] direction by this arrangement can be considered as the association by rectangular faces of two columns of triangular face-shared trigonal prisms of uranyl oxygens. In 3 and 7, all the trigonal prisms are occupied by the alkaline metal, in 5, they are half-occupied. In 6, the polyhedral arrangement is more symmetric and the tunnels created in the [010] direction are built of face-sharing cubes of uranyl oxygens totally occupied by the Cs atoms. This last compound well illustrates the structure-directing effect of the conterion.