Hole defects in the crystal structure of synthetic lipscombite (Fe 4.7 3+ Fe 2.3 2+ )[PO4]4O2.7(OH)1.3 and genetic crystal chemistry of minerals of the lipscombite-barbosalite series

The crystal structure of a synthetic analog of the mineral lipscombite (Fe _2.3 ²⁺ Fe _4.7 ³⁺ )[PO₄]₄O_2.7(OH)_1.3 obtained under hydrothermal conditions in the LiF-Fe₂O₃-(NH₄)₂HPO₄-H₂O system is resolved (R = 0.040) by X-ray diffraction analysis (Bruker Smart diffractometer with a highly sensitive CCD detector, MoK _α radiation): a = 14.776(3) Å, b = 14.959(3) Å, c = 7.394(1) Å, β = 119.188(4)°, sp. gr. C2/c, Z = 4, ρ_exp = 3.8 g/cm³, ρ_calcd = 3.9 g/cm³. Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations are statistically distributed in each of four crystallographically independent positions, while occupying the corresponding octahedra with probabilities of 60, 90, 100, and 91%. The ratio Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ in the composition of the crystals was established by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Lipscombite is interpreted as a mineral of variable composition described by the formula (Fe _x ²⁺ Fe _n?x ³⁺ )[PO₄]₄O_y(OH)_4?y . The field of stability is determined as a function of the iron content and the ratio Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺. It is shown that at n = 6 iron cations are ordered in octahedra and barbosalite structure is formed. An interpretation of genetically and structurally related members of the lipscombite family within a unified polysomatic series is proposed.     

Cation distribution in the structure of titanium-containing ludwigite

The crystal structure of natural titanium-containing ludwigite has been refined. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.260 ± 0.002 Å, b = 12.294± 0.002 Å, c = 3.0236± 0.0005 Å, sp. gr. Pbam, and R = 0.0288. The observed cation distribution over the M1-M4 positions corresponds to the structural formula (Mg_0.5)(Mg_1.0)(Mg_0.338Fe _0.162 ²⁺ )(Fe _0.47 ³⁺ Ti _0.21 ⁴⁺ Mg _0.15 ²⁺ Al _0.10 ³⁺ Fe _0.07 ²⁺ (BO₃)O₂. Highly charged titanium ions in the M4 position are balanced mainly with magnesium and not with divalent iron ions.     

Cluster self-organization of TR,Ge-containing crystal-forming systems: Suprapolyhedral precursors and self-assembly of La3Ga[6]Ga 4 [4] Ge[4]O14 (langasite) and La3Ge[6]Ge 2 [5] Ge 2 [4] Ga[4]O16 gallogermanates

A combinatorial-topological analysis of the La₃Ga^[6]Ga ₄ ^[4] Ge^[4]O₁₄ and La₃Ge^[6]Ge ₂ ^[5] Ge ₂ ^[4] Ga^[4]O₁₆ gallogermanates, which have MT and MPT microporous frameworks composed of M octahedra (GeO₆, GaO₆), T tetrahedra (GeO₄, GaO₄), and P pyramids (GeO₅), is performed using the method of coordination sequences with the TOPOS 3.2 program package. It is established that the La₃Ga^[6]Ga ₄ ^[4] Ge^[4]O₁₄ gallogermanate is characterized by a crystal-forming net 6 6 6 (of the graphite type). A new type of the binodal net 6 10 1 0 + 6 10 (2: 1) is revealed in the La₃Ge^[6]Ge ₂ ^[5] Ge ₂ ^[4] Ga^[4]O₁₆ gallogermanate. The cyclic cluster precursors composed of six polyhedra with a lanthanum template atom at the center of the LaMT ₅ and LaMP ₃ T ₃ clusters are identified by the two-color decomposition of the nets in the structures of the La₃Ga^[6]Ga ₄ ^[4] Ge^[4]O₁₄ and La₃Ge^[6]Ge ₂ ^[5] Ge ₂ ^[4] Ga^[4]O₁₆ gallogermanates. The coordination numbers of the cluster precursors in these structures are found to be equal to 6 and 4 for two-dimensional nets and 8 and 6 for three-dimensional nets, respectively.     

X-Ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopic studies of UO2(n-C3H7COO)2(H2O)2 and Mg(H2O)6[UO2(n-C3H7COO)3]2

Single crystals of UO₂(n-C₃H₇COO)₂(H₂O)₂ (I) and Mg(H₂O)₆[UO₂(n-C₃H₇COO)₃]₂ (II) are synthesized. Their IR-spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies are performed. Crystals I are monoclinic, a = 9.8124(7) Å, b = 19.2394(14) Å, c = 12.9251(11) Å, β = 122.423(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 6, and R = 0.0268. Crystals II are cubic, a = 15.6935(6) Å, space group $Pa\bar 3$ , Z = 4, and R = 0.0173. The main structural units of I and II are [UO₂(C₃H₇COO)₂(H₂O)₂] molecules and [UO₂(C₃H₇COO)₃]^? anionic complexes, respectively, which belong to AB ₂ ⁰¹ M ₂ ¹ (I) and AB ₃ ⁰¹ (II) crystal chemical groups of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B ⁰¹ = C₃H₇COO^?, and M ¹ = H₂O). A crystal chemical analysis of UO₂ L ₂ · nH₂O compounds, where L is a carboxylate ion, is performed.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of (CN3H6)2[UO2(OH)2(NCS)]NO3 and β-Cs3[UO2(NCS)5]

Compounds (CN₃H₆)₂[UO₂(OH)₂(NCS)]NO₃ (I) and β-Cs₃[UO₂(NCS)₅] (II) are synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. I and II crystallize in the orthorhombic system. For I, a = 12.2015(13) Å, b = 7.3295(8) Å, c = 16.310(2) Å, space group Pnma, Z = 4, and R = 0.0327; for II, a = 21.7891(6) Å, b = 13.5120(3) Å, c = 6.8522(2) Å, space group Pnma, Z = 4, and R = 0.0268. In structure I, complex groups form infinite chains [UO₂(OH)₂(NCS)] _n ^n? belonging to the AM ₂ ² M ¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , M ² = OH^?, and M ¹ = NCS^?). The main structural elements of crystals II are mononuclear [UO₂(NCS)₅]^3? groups belonging to the AM ₅ ¹ group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ and M ¹ = NCS^?). In I and II, uranium-containing complexes are connected with outer-sphere cations by electrostatic interactions, and in I a system of hydrogen bonds also contributes to their binding. Specific features of the packing of complex [UO₂(NCS)₅]^3? groups in the structures of two modifications of Cs₃[UO₂(NCS)₅] are discussed.     

Crystal structure of new synthetic Ca,Na,Li-carbonate-borate

In the process of studying the phase formation in the Li₂CO₃-CaO-B₂O₃-NaCl system, new Ca,Na, Li-carbonate-borate has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure of carbonate-borate with the crystallochemical formula Ca₄(Ca_0.7Na_0.3)₃(Na_0.7□ _0.3)Li₅[B ₁₂ ^t B ₁₀ ^Δ O₃₆(O,OH)₆](CO₃)(OH) · (OH,H₂O) was refined to R _hkl = 0.0716 by the least squares method in the isotropic approximation of atomic thermal vibrations without the preliminary knowledge of the chemical composition and the formula (sp. gr. R3, a _rh = 13.05(2) Å, α = 40.32(7)]°, V = 838(2) ų, a _h = 8.99(2), c _h = 35.91(2) Å, V = 2513(2) ų, Z = 3, d _calcd = 2.62 g/cm³, Syntex P $\bar 1$ diffractometer, 3459 reflections, 2θ-θ method, λMo). The structure has a new boron-oxygen radical [B ₁₂ ^t B ₁₀ ^Δ O₃₆(O,OH)₆] _∞∞ ^15? , a double layer of nine-membered [B ₆ ^t B ₃ ^Δ O₁₅(O,OH)₃]^7.5?-rings bound by BO₃-triangles, and twelve-membered [B ₆ ^t B ₆ ^Δ O_19.5(O,OH)₃]^7.5? rings. This allows one to relate this compound to megaborates with complex boron-oxygen radicals. The structure is built from two types of blocks consisting of Ca,Na,B-and Li,B-polyhedra alternating along the c-axis, which explains the perfect cleavage of the crystals along the (0001) plane.     

Nuclear57Fe relaxation in Fe2+-containing NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 single crystals

Spin-lattice (T ₁) and spin-spin (T ₂) relaxation times of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei in the single-crystal NiFe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ ferrites containing Fe²⁺ ions have been studied in the temperature range of 4.2–100 K by a spin-echo technique. The peaks of relaxation rates T ₁ ^?1 and T ₂ ^?1 caused by the presence of Fe²⁺ ions were observed for both ferrites in the ranges 38–42 and 28–32 K, respectively. The analysis of the results obtained with invocation of the data on ferromagnetic resonance and the measurements of the temperature dependence of resistivity shows that the mechanism of nuclear relaxation responsible for “impurity” peaks and is a slow relaxation process caused by electron exchange Fe²⁺ ? Fe³⁺, characterized by a low activation energy.     

Crystal structure and IR spectroscopic study of (CN3H6)2[(UO2)2(C2O4)(CH3COO)4]

Compound (CN₃H₆)₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)(CH₃COO)₄] is synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction [a = 8.5264(2) Å, b = 13.8438(4) Å, c = 10.7284(2) Å, β = 103.543(1)°, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, and R = 0.0258]. The main structural units of the crystals are binuclear [(UO₂)₂C₂O₄(CH₃COO)₄]^2? groups, which belong to the A ₂ K ⁰² B ₄ ⁰¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K ⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and B ⁰¹ = CH₃COO^?). The coordination polyhedron of the uranium atom is the UO₈ hexagonal bipyramid with the oxygen atoms of the uranyl ion at the axial positions. Uranium-containing groups and guanidinium cations are connected by electrostatic interactions and by the hydrogen bond system, which involves hydrogen atoms of guanidinium cations and oxygen atoms of oxalate and acetate anions. The results of the spectroscopic study of the compound agree with the X-ray diffraction data.     

Alkali-metal hydrogen selenate-phosphates M 2 H 3(SeO4)(PO4) (M = Rb or K) and M 4H5(SeO4)3(PO4)(M = K or Na)

Crystalline hydrogen selenate-phosphates M ₂H₃(SeO₄)(PO₄) [M = Rb (I) or K (II)] and M ₄H₅(SeO₄)₃(PO₄) [M = K (III) or Na (IV)] were obtained by reactions of Rb, K, and Na carbonates with mixtures of selenic and phosphoric acid solutions. The X-ray structure study of single crystals revealed that I and II are isostructural (sp. gr. Pn). In these structures, SeO₄ and H₃PO₄ tetrahedra are linked by hydrogen bonds to form corrugated layers. Structures III and IV (sp. gr. $P\bar 1$ ) have similar arrangements of non-hydrogen atoms but different hydrogen-bond systems. In III = K₄(HSeO₄)₂{H[H(Se,P)O₄]₂}, the HSeO₄ groups branch from the infinite anionic {H[H(Se,P)O₄]₂} chains. In IV = Na₄[H(SeO₄)₂]{H[H_1.5(Se, P)O₄]₂}, the anionic {H[H_1.5(Se,P)O₄]₂} chains are crosslinked by hydrogen bonds formed by the [H(SeO₄)₂] dimers.     

Crystallochemical modeling, synthesis, and study of new tantalum and niobium phosphates with a framework structure

A crystallochemical approach is used to model the compositions of phosphates of pentavalent elements with the expected structure. New phosphates with a framework structure of the T ₂ ^I T ₃ ^2/III T ₁ ^2/V (PO₄)₃ type (T ^I = Na or K; T ^III = Al, Cr, or Fe; and T ^V = Nb or Ta) are synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (including high-temperature diffraction) and IR spectroscopy. It is established that, depending on the nature of the alkali cation (Na or K), these compounds are crystallized in two structural modifications: rhombohedral and cubic (sp. gr. R $\bar 3$ c and P2₁3, respectively). The unit-cell parameters and the thermal expansion coefficients of the phosphates under study are determined and the dependences of these characteristics on the nature of cations are established.     

Mixed tetrahedral anionic framework in the K3Ga2(PO4)3 crystal structure

The crystal structure of a new synthetic potassium gallophosphate K₃Ga₂(PO₄)₃ grown from a solution in the melt of a mixture of GaPO₄ and K₂MoO₄ is determined using X-ray diffraction (Bruker Smart diffractometer, 2θ_max= 56.6°, R = 0.044 for 2931 reflections, T = 100 K). The main crystal data are as follows: a = 8.661(2) Å, b = 17.002(4) Å, c = 8.386(2) Å, space group Pna2₁, Z= 4, and ρ_calcd = 2.91 g/cm³. The synthesized crystals represent the third phase in the structure type previously established for the K₃Al₂[(As,P)O₄]₃ compound. It is shown that the structure consists of a three-dimensional anionic microporous tetrahedral framework of the mixed type, which is formed by PO₄ and GaO₄ tetrahedra shared by vertices. Large-sized cations K⁺ occupy channels of the zeolite-like framework. The crystal chemical features of the formation of structure types of compounds with mixed frameworks described by the general formula A ₃ ⁺ M ₂ ³⁺ (TO₄)₃ (where A = K, Rb, (NH₄), Tl; M = Al, Ga, Fe, Sc, Yb; T = P, As) are analyzed.     

New phosphate Fe0.5Nb1.5(PO4)3 with an electrically neutral framework. Synthesis and crystal structure

A new iron-niobium phosphate, Fe_0.5Nb_1.5(PO₄)₃, has been prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, IR spectroscopy, and neutron powder diffraction. On the basis of X-ray powder data, it was found that the synthesized phosphate crystallizes into the sp. gr. R $\bar 3$ c and corresponds to the structural type of sodium-zirconium phosphate NaZr₂(PO₄)₃. The structure was refined by the Rietveld method based on a powder neutron diffraction experiment. The obtained phosphate belongs to complex niobium orthophosphates and has a framework structure with a zero framework charge.     

Specific features of the substitution of Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> impurity ions for Zr<Superscript>4+</Superscript> in NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals

The EPR spectra of Fe³⁺ impurity ions in NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ single crystals at 300 K are investigated, and the spin Hamiltonian of these ions is determined. A comparative analysis of the spin-Hamiltonian and crystal-field tensors is performed using the maximum invariant component method. It is demonstrated that Fe³⁺ impurity ions substitute for Zr⁴⁺ ions with local compensator ions located in cavities of the B type. It is revealed that the invariant of the spin-Hamiltonian tensor B₄ and the crystal-field tensor V ₄ ⁴⁴ depend substantially on the mutual arrangement of ions in the first and second coordination spheres. The corresponding dependences are analyzed.     

Molecular and crystal structures of 1R,4R-cis-2-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-p-menthan-3-one

The molecular and crystal structures of chiral 1R, 4R-cis-2-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-p-menthan-3-one (I) are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Single crystals of I are orthorhombic, a = 8.997(2) Å, b = 11.314(2) Å, c = 14.847(3) Å, V = 1511.3(5) ų, Z = 4, and space group P2₁2₁2₁. The cyclohexanone ring in molecules of compound I has a chair-type conformation with the axial methyl and equatorial isopropyl groups. The enone and benzylidene groupings are nonplanar. The considerable distortion of bond angles at the sp ² carbon atoms of the benzylidene grouping and the puckering parameters of the cyclohexanone ring in the structure of I are close to those observed for the previously studied compound with the p-methoxy substituent. In the crystal, molecules I are linked by very short intermolecular hydrogen bonds .     

Dielectric and pyroelectric studies of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal

Polymorphism and polar properties of an antiferroelectric (R)-2-methylheptyloxycarbonylphenyl-4-[(4-decyloxy-3-fluoro)benzoyloxy]benzoate liquid crystal are studied. The phases are identified, and the phase transition points are determined. Dielectric constant, dielectric losses, and pyroelectric properties are studied for the orthogonal smectic SmA and tilted smectic, SmC _α ^* , SmC ^*, SmC _γ ^* , and SmC _A ^* phases. The temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization is measured by the repolarization current technique and integration of the pyroelectric constant.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of nitratocobaltates Na2[Co(NO3)4], K2[Co(NO3)4], and Ag[Co(NO3)3] and potassium nitratonickelate K2[Ni(NO3)4]

The cobalt(II) and nickel(II) nitrate complexes with an island structure (Na₂[Co(NO₃)₄] (I) and K₂[Co(NO₃)₄] (II)] and a chain structure [Ag[Co(NO₃)₃] (III) and K₂[Ni(NO₃)₄] (IV)] are synthesized and investigated using X-ray diffraction. In the anionic complex [Co(NO₃)₄]^2? of the crystal structure of compound I, the Co coordination polyhedron is a twisted tetragonal prism formed by the O atoms of four asymmetric bidentate nitrate groups. In the anion [Co(NO₃)₄]^2? of the crystal structure of compound II, one of the four NO₃ groups is monodentate and the other NO₃ groups are bidentate (the coordination number of the cobalt atom is equal to seven, and the cobalt coordination polyhedron is a monocapped trigonal prism). The crystal structures of compounds III and IV contain infinite chains of the compositions [Co(NO₃)₂(NO₃)_2/2]^? and [Ni(NO₃)₃(NO₃)_2/2]^2?, respectively. In the crystal structure of compound III, seven oxygen atoms of one monodentate and three bidentate nitrate groups form a dodecahedron with an unoccupied vertex of the A type around the Co atom. In the crystal structure of compound IV, the octahedral polyhedron of the Ni atom is formed by five nitrate groups, one of which is terminal bidentate. The data on the structure of Co(II) coordination polyhedra in the known nitratocobaltates are generalized.     

Derivation of the conditions for equivalent positions in crystals: The dissymmetrization of barite by electron spin resonance spectra

The conditions for equivalent positions on the (hkl) face of growing crystal are derived using symmetry elements of the space group. It is shown by the example of the sp. gr. D _2h ¹⁶ that the conditions of equivalent position formation coincide with conditions of the reflection of diffracted beams by crystal. It is established that electron spin resonance (ESR) centers in barite, SO ₄ ^? (I) and SO ₄ ^? (II), with only two conjugate spectra with equal intensity out of four, and SO ₄ ^? (III), with a different intensity of conjugate spectra K _??M = 2, are localized into the growth pyramid of the (001) face with a [010] step. SO ₂ ^? , SO ₃ ^? ,, and SO ₄ ^? (IV) centers, having an identical intensity of the conjugate ESR spectra with K _??M = 2, are localized into the growth pyramid of the (210) face with a growth step [001].     

Bimetallic hydrogen sulfates K4 M II[H(SO4)2]2(H2O)2 (M II = Mn or Zn)

Hydrogen sulfate hydrates K₄{M ^II[H(SO₄)₂]₂(H₂O)₂}, where M ^II = Mn or Zn, are synthesized, and their single-crystal structures are determined by X-ray diffraction. The structural units of the orthorhombic crystals (space group Pccn) are potassium and M ^II cations, SO ₄ ^2? and HSO ₄ ^? anions, and water molecules. Strong (2.52 Å) and moderate-in-strength (2.71–2.75 Å) hydrogen bonds link the anions and water molecules into hexamers. The M ^II cations, which have the octahedral environment (Mn-O, 2.14–2.19 Å and Zn-O, 2.07–2.11 Å), link the hexamers into flat layers. The structures of bimetallic hydrogen chalcogenate hydrates with different compositions are compared.     

Crystal structure of urusovite Cu[AlAsO5: A new type of a tetrahedral aluminoarsenate polyanion

The crystal structure of the new mineral urusovite Cu[AlAsO₅] has been determined (monoclinic system, sp. gr. P2₁/c, a = 7.335(1) Å, b = 10.255(1) Å, c = 5.599(1) Å, β = 99.79(1)°, V = 415.0(1) ų, Z = 4). The structure is solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.048 (wR = 0.103). The structure is built by open-branched {uB, _∞ ² } [AlAsO₅]^2? layers parallel to the (100) plane. The layers consist of two-link chains of _∞ ¹ [Al₂O₆] tetrahedra, which are parallel to the z-axis and are connected through the [AsO₄]-groups. The sharing-edges [CuO₅] tetragonal pyramids link the aluminoarsenate layers to form a three-dimensional framework. The established layer is the second example of an tetrahedral aluminoarsenate polyanion.     

Crystal structure of magnesioferrikatophorite

The crystal structure of the Na,Ca-amphibole magnesioferrikatophorite found in carbonatites from the Turiy Cape (Kola Peninsula) was refined (Siemens P4 diffractometer, λMoK _α radiation, 1481 independent reflections with |F|>4σ(F), anisotropic refinement, R(F) = 0.039). The parameters of the monoclinic unit cell are a = 9.875(5) Å, b = 18.010(8) Å, c = 5.309(3) Å, β = 104.39(5)°, sp. gr. C2/m, Z = 2. The distribution of the cations over the crystallographically nonequivalent M(1–4)-positions was revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The character of splitting of the A-position correlates with the characteristic features of the magnesioferrikatophorite composition. The resulting structural formula (Na_0.87K_0.13)_{Σ = 1} · (Na_1.18Ca_0.82)_{Σ = 2}(Mg_1.41Fe _0.42 ³⁺ Ti _0.17 ⁴⁺ )_{Σ= 2} Fe _1.31 ³⁺ Mg_0.69)_{Σ = 2}(Mg_0.60Fe _0.38 ²⁺ Mn_0.02)_{Σ = 1}(Si_3.16Al_0.84)_{Σ = 4} · Si₄O₂₂(O_1.05OH_0.66F_0.29)_{Σ= 2} agrees well with the electron microprobe analysis data. Based on the zonal character of the crystal and high Fe ³⁺ content, the conditions of crystallogenesis are defined as oxidative against the background of a decrease in the Na potential in the course of the evolution of a mineral-forming system.