Na[Li(NH2BH3)2]--the first mixed-cation amidoborane with unusual crystal structure

We describe the successful synthesis of the first mixed-cation (pseudoternary) amidoborane, Na[Li(NH(2)BH(3))(2)], with theoretical hydrogen capacity of 11.1 wt%. Na[Li(NH(2)BH(3))(2)] crystallizes triclinic (P1) with a = 5.0197(4) ?, b = 7.1203(7) ?, c = 8.9198(9) ?, α = 103.003(6)°, β = 102.200(5)°, γ = 103.575(5)°, and V = 289.98(5) ?(3) (Z = 2), as additionally confirmed by Density Functional Theory calculations. Its crystal structure is topologically different from those of its orthorhombic LiNH(2)BH(3) and NaNH(2)BH(3) constituents, with distinctly different coordination spheres of Li (3 N atoms and 1 hydride anion) and Na (6 hydride anions). Na[Li(NH(2)BH(3))(2)], which may be viewed as a product of a Lewis acid (LiNH(2)BH(3))/Lewis base (NaNH(2)BH(3)) reaction, is an important candidate for a novel lightweight hydrogen storage material. The title material decomposes at low temperature (with onset at 75 °C, 6.0% mass loss up to 110 °C, and an additional 3.0% up to 200 °C) while evolving hydrogen contaminated with ammonia.     

A new ammine dual-cation (Li, Mg) borohydride: synthesis, structure, and dehydrogenation enhancement

A new ammine dual-cation borohydride, LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2), has been successfully synthesized simply by ball-milling of Mg(BH(4))(2) and LiBH(4)·NH(3). Structure analysis of the synthesized LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2) revealed that it crystallized in the space group P6(3) (no. 173) with lattice parameters of a=b=8.0002(1) ?, c=8.4276(1) ?, α=β=90°, and γ=120° at 50 °C. A three-dimensional architecture is built up through corner-connecting BH(4) units. Strong N-H···H-B dihydrogen bonds exist between the NH(3) and BH(4) units, enabling LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2) to undergo dehydrogenation at a much lower temperature. Dehydrogenation studies have revealed that the LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2)/LiBH(4) composite is able to release over 8 wt% hydrogen below 200 °C, which is comparable to that released by Mg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2). More importantly, it was found that release of the byproduct NH(3) in this system can be completely suppressed by adjusting the ratio of Mg(BH(4))(2) and LiBH(4)·NH(3). This chemical control route highlights a potential method for modifying the dehydrogenation properties of other ammine borohydride systems.     

In situ hybridization of LiNH2-LiH-Mg(BH4)2 nano-composites: intermediate and optimized hydrogenation properties

Nano-composites of LiNH(2)-LiH-xMg(BH(4))(2) (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) were prepared by plasma metal reaction followed by a nucleation growth method. Highly reactive LiNH(2)-LiH hollow nanoparticles offered a favorable nucleus during a precipitation process of liquid Mg(BH(4))(2)·OEt(2). The electron microscopy results suggested that more than 90% of the obtained nano-composites were in the range 200-400 nm. Because of the short diffusion distance and ternary mixture self-catalyzing effect, this material possesses enhanced hydrogen (de)sorption attributes, including facile low-temperature kinetics, impure gases attenuation and partial reversibility. The optimal hydrogen storage properties were found at the composition of LiNH(2)-LiH-0.5Mg(BH(4))(2), which was tentatively attributed to a Li(4)(NH(2))(2)(BH(4))(2) intermediate. 5.3 wt% hydrogen desorption could be recorded at 150 °C, with the first 2.2 wt% release being reversible. This work suggests that controlled in situ hybridization combined with formula optimization can improve hydrogen storage properties.     

Sodium magnesium amidoborane: the first mixed-metal amidoborane

The first example of a mixed-metal amidoborane Na(2)Mg(NH(2)BH(3))(4) has been successfully synthesized. It forms an ordered arrangement in cation coordinations, i.e., Mg(2+) bonds solely to N(-) and Na(+) coordinates only with BH(3). Compared to ammonia borane and monometallic amidoboranes, Na(2)Mg(NH(2)BH(3))(4) can release 8.4 wt% pure hydrogen with significantly less toxic gases.     

Facile high-yield synthesis of pure, crystalline Mg(BH4)2

Magnesium borohydride, Mg(BH4)2, a long-sought candidate for efficient hydrogen storage chemisorption technology, has been obtained in a pure and crystalline form by two new synthetic routes in a hydrocarbon solvent. A first synthetic approach involves a metathetical reaction between organometallic magnesium compounds; a second route consists of an insertion reaction of BH3 species, released from BH3.S(CH3)2, into the Mg-C bonds of MgR2, with complete replacement of R groups with BH4 groups. Both methods, based on commercially available reagents, afford identical, pure, polycrystalline materials, identified by X-ray diffraction as the so-called low-temperature hexagonal form of Mg(BH4)2, stable below 180 degrees C, recently shown to possess a complex, unpredictable, crystal structure.     

Synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc) and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2) by solvothermal dehydration and structure/property correlations in a one-dimensional antiferromagnet

The utility of the solvothermal dehydration strategy whereby superheated acetonitrile reacts with water of hydration to form ammonium acetate is demonstrated in the synthesis of [NH(4)]MnCl(2)(OAc), I, and [NH(4)](2)MnCl(4)(H(2)O)(2), II, from MnCl(2).4H(2)O. The structure of I is shown to crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a = 15.191(6) A, b = 7.044(2) A, c = 13.603(6) A, beta = 107.31 degrees, V = 1389.7(9) cm(-)(1), and Z = 8. The structure of II crystallizes in the space group I4/mmm (No. 139) with a = 7.5250(5) A, b = 8.276(2) A, V = 468.6(1) cm(-)(1), and Z = 2. Both structures exhibit extensive hydrogen bonding that controls both local Mn-Cl bonding and the interchain organization. I is shown to be a one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet with an intrachain exchange constant J/k = -2.39 K. This structure exhibits exchange coupling intermediate between the well-studied triply and doubly chloride-bridged one-dimensional manganese Heisenberg antiferromagnets. The structure/property correlation demonstrates a linear dependence of the exchange constant on the Mn-Cl-Mn bond angle, alpha, for alpha < 94 degrees.     

Generation of nanopores during desorption of NH3 from Mg(NH3)6Cl2

It is shown that nanopores are formed during desorption of NH3 from Mg(NH3)6Cl2, which has been proposed as a hydrogen storage material. The system of nanopores facilitates the transport of desorbed ammonia away from the interior of large volumes of compacted storage material. DFT calculations show that there exists a continuous path from the initial Mg(NH3)6Cl2 material to MgCl2 that does not involve large-scale material transport. Accordingly, ammonia desorption from this system is facile.     

LiSc(BH4)4: a novel salt of Li+ and discrete Sc(BH4)4(-) complex anions

LiSc(BH4)4 has been prepared by ball milling of LiBH4 and ScCl3. Vibrational spectroscopy indicates the presence of discrete Sc(BH4)4(-) ions. DFT calculations of this isolated complex ion confirm that it is a stable complex, and the calculated vibrational spectra agree well with the experimental ones. The four BH4(-) groups are oriented with a tilted plane of three hydrogen atoms directed to the central Sc ion, resulting in a global 8 + 4 coordination. The crystal structure obtained by high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction reveals a tetragonal unit cell with a = 6.076 A and c = 12.034 A (space group P-42c). The local structure of the Sc(BH4)4(-) complex is refined as a distorted form of the theoretical structure. The Li ions are found to be disordered along the z axis.     

Amine-templated linear vanadium sulfates with different chain structures

Amine-templated vanadium sulfates of the formula [HN(CH(2))(6)NH][(V(IV)O)(2)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)].H(2)O, I, [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)][V(III)(OH)(SO(4))(2)].H(2)O, II, and [H(2)N(CH(2))(4)NH(2)][(V(IV)O)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(2)], III, have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. These vanadium sulfates add to the new emerging family of organically templated metal sulfates. Compound I has a linear chain structure consisting of V(2)O(8) square-pyramid dimers connected by corner-sharing SO(4) tetrahedra, creating four-membered rings along the chain. Both II and III possess simple linear chain topologies formed by VO(6) octahedra and SO(4) tetrahedra, with II having the tancoite chain structure. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 7.4852(4) A, b = 9.5373(5) A, c = 11.9177(6) A, alpha = 77.22 degrees, beta = 76.47(2) degrees, gamma = 80.86 degrees, Z = 2. Compound II: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), a = 6.942(2) A, b = 10.317(3) A, c = 15.102(6) A, beta = 90.64(4) degrees, Z = 4. Compound III: triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 6.2558(10) A, b = 7.0663(14) A, c = 15.592(4) A, alpha = 90.46(2) degrees, beta = 90.47(2) degrees, gamma = 115.68(2) degrees, Z = 2. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions in I and III and ferromagnetic interactions in II.     

A new synthetic route to Mg(2)Na(2)NiH(6) where a [NiH(4)] complex is for the first time stabilized by alkali metal counterions

Mg2Na2NiH6 was synthesized by reacting NaH and Mg2NiH4 at 310 degrees C under hydrogen pressure. The novel structure type was refined from neutron-diffraction data in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62), with unit cell dimensions of a = 11.428(2), b = 8.442(2), and c = 5.4165(9) Angstrom and a unit cell volume = 523 Angstrom(3) (Z = 4). The structure can be described by (Mg2H2)(2+) layers intersected by (Na2NiH4)(2-) layers. The [NiH4](4-) complex is approximately tetrahedral, indicating formal zerovalent nickel. This is the first example of a solid-state hydride where a [NiH4](4-) complex is directly stabilized by alkali metal ions instead of the more polarizing Mg(2+) ions. A rather long nickel-hydrogen bond distance of 1.65 Angstrom indicates a weaker Ni-H bond as a result of the weaker support from the less polarizing alkali metal counterions.     

Synthesis, characterization, and structure of macrocyclic mono- and C2-symmetric, binuclear nickel calixsalen complexes

Mono- (3a,b) and binuclear (4a,b) tetradentate NiII complexes of a series of 26-membered macrocyclic salen dimers, [salen(CH2)]2, are prepared in good yield by solvent-controlled reaction with Ni(OAc)2. The mononuclear complex 3b crystallizes in the trigonal space group 3P1(#144), a = 18.2566(2) A, c = 15.9244(2) A, V = 4596.57(8) A3, and Z = 3. Refinement converged with R = 0.054 and Rw = 0.049 for 6852 reflections with I > 2.003 sigma(I). The NiII in complex 3b coordinates in an approximate square planar geometry to one of the two available tetradentate salen sites. Complex 4b crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)(#19), a = 19.531(2) A, b = 22.891(3), c = 13.373(1) A, V = 5960(1) A3, and Z = 4. The refinement converged with R = 0.067 and Rw = 0.065 for 3752 reflections with I > 2.003 sigma(I). Complex 4b coordinates two distorted square planar, cofacially oriented NiII-salen units held 7.1 A apart by a rigid, syn-folded macrocyclic structure. The solution spectroscopic data and solid-state crystallographic data of 3b and 4b demonstrate the presence of a molecular-sized cavity which shows host-guest properties. Reaction of the flexible 32-membered disalen macrocycle [salen(OCH2CH2O)]2 with Ni(OAc)2 resulted in formation of a binuclear complex, 5. Complex 5 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1(#1), a = 10.366(4) A, b = 12.170(3) A, c = 10.021(2) A, alpha = 106.29(2) degrees, beta = 91.69(2) degrees, gamma = 68.63(2) degrees, V = 1126.3(5) A3, and Z = 1. The refinement converged with R = 0.052 and Rw = 0.053 for 2385 reflections with I > 2.003 sigma(I). The binuclear complex 5 contains two cofacially oriented, square planar NiII-salen groups lying 3.5 A apart in an anti-folded macrocyclic structure.     

Crystal Structures of a Family of New Copper(I) Cyanide Complexes of Thiourea and Substituted Thioureas

The syntheses and crystal structures of the first cyanide, sulfur mixed ligand copper(I) complexes are reported. The first complex of the family was discovered when (CuCN)(3)(C(6)H(12)N(4))(2) (1) (C(6)H(12)N(4) = hexamethylenetetramine) was treated with aqueous thiourea. The sulfur ligands include thiourea (tu), 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (dmtu), 1,3-diethyl-2-thiourea (detu), 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea (tmtu), and 2-imidazolidinethione (N,N'-ethylenethiourea, etu). Synthesis was effected by adding the ligand to a solution of CuCN in aqueous sodium thiosulfate. Complex 2, (CuCN)(2)(tu)(3)(H(2)O), crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;with unit cell dimensions a = 7.696(5) ?, b = 9.346(2) ?, c = 10.772(2) ?, alpha = 106.53(2) degrees, beta = 91.11(4) degrees, gamma = 98.42(3) degrees, and Z = 2. Complex 3, (CuCN)(3)(dmtu)(2), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with unit cell dimensions a = 10.082(3) ?, b = 14.984(5) ?, c = 11.413(3) ?, beta = 104.50(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 4, (CuCN)(2)(detu)(H(2)O), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with unit cell dimensions a = 7.969(5) ?, b = 11.559(4) ?, c = 13.736(5) ?, beta = 100.48(4) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 5, (CuCN)(tmtu) (polymorph a), crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions a = 8.653(1) ?, b = 9.426(1) ?, c = 11.620(3) ?, and Z = 4. Complex 6, (CuCN)(tmtu) (polymorph b), which has the same connectivity as 5, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; with unit cell dimensions a = 9.660(4) ?, b = 14.202(4) ?, c = 16.03(1) ?, alpha = 101.68(5) degrees, beta = 107.08(6) degrees, gamma = 70.07(2) degrees, and Z = 8. The difference between the polymorphs is that 5 has a zig-zag chain with a repeat unit of two while 6 has a 4-fold helix. Complex 7, (CuCN)(2)(etu), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)( )()with unit cell dimensions a = 3.994(2) ?, b = 13.886(3) ?, c = 7.556(1) ?, beta = 97.07(2) degrees, and Z = 2.     

Vanadium(IV) Complexes with Mixed O,S Donor Ligands. Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of the Anions Tris(2-mercapto-4-methylphenolato)vanadate(IV) and Bis(2-mercaptophenolato)oxovanadate(IV)

Reaction of VO(acac)(2) with 2-mercaptophenol (mpH(2)) in the presence of triethylamine gives the mononuclear tris complex (Et(3)NH)(2)[V(mp)(3)] (1), in which the vanadyl oxygen has been displaced. An analogous reaction using 2-mercapto-4-methylphenol (mmpH(2)) afforded (Et(3)NH)(PNP)[V(mmp)(3)] (2), which was structurally characterized. 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2(1 )with unit cell parameters (at -163 degrees C) a = 23.974(7) ?, b = 9.569(4) ?, c = 25.101(6) ?, and Z = 4. The coordination geometry around the vanadium is between octahedral and trigonal prismatic. Reaction of VO(acac)(2 )with the sodium salt of 2-mercaptophenol produces the vanadyl(IV) complex Na(Ph(4)P)[VO(mp)(2)].Et(2)O (3), which crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; with unit cell parameters (at -135 degrees C) a = 12.185(4) ?, b = 12.658(4) ?, c = 14.244(4) ?, alpha = 103.19(2) degrees, beta = 100.84(2) degrees, and gamma = 114.17(2) degrees. The unit cell of 3 contains a pair of symmetry-related [VO(mp)(2)](2)(-) units bridged through vanadyl and ligand oxygen atoms by a pair of sodium ions, in addition to two PPh(4)(+) ions. The coordination geometry around the vanadium is square pyramidal, with a V=O bond length of 1.611(5) ?. 1, 2, and 3 are characterized by IR and UV-vis spectroscopies, magnetic susceptibility, EPR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. 1 and 2 can be oxidized by I(2, )Cp(2)Fe(+), or O(2) to [V(mp)(3)](-) and [V(mmp)(3)](-), respectively, which in turn can be reduced back to the dianions by oxalate ion. These reversible redox processes can be followed by UV-vis spectroscopy.     

Amineborane-based chemical hydrogen storage: enhanced ammonia borane dehydrogenation in ionic liquids

Ionic liquids are shown to provide advantageous media for amineborane-based chemical hydrogen storage systems. Both the extent and rate of hydrogen release from ammonia borane dehydrogenation are significantly increased at 85, 90, and 95 degrees C when the reactions are carried out in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride compared to analogous solid-state reactions. NMR studies in conjunction with DFT/GIAO chemical shift calculations indicate that both polyaminoborane and the diammoniate of diborane, [(NH3)2BH2+]BH4-, are initial products in the reactions.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of quaternary thorium selenophosphates: A2ThP3Se9 (A = K, Rb) and Cs4Th2P5Se17

Single crystals of A2ThP3Se9 (A = K (I), Rb (II)) and Cs4Th2PsSe17 (III) form from the reaction of Th and P in a molten A2Se3/Se (A = K, Rb, Cs) flux at 750 degrees C for 100 h. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4582(5) A, b = 16.5384(8) A, c = 10.2245(5) A, alpha = 107.637(1); beta = 91.652(1); gamma = 90.343(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound II crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with the unit cell parameters a = 10.5369(5) A, b = 16.6914(8) A, c = 10.2864(5) A, alpha = 107.614(1) degrees, beta = 92.059(1) degrees, gamma = 90.409(1) degrees, and Z = 2. These structures consist of infinite chains of corner-sharing [Th2Se14] units linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in two directions to form a ribbonlike structure along the [100] direction. Compounds I and II are isostructural with the previously reported K2UP3Se9. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 10.238(1) A, b = 32.182(2) A, c = 10.749(1) A; beta = 95.832(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Cs4Th2P5Se17 consists of infinite chains of corner-sharing, polyhedral [Th2Se13] units that are also linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in the [100] and [010] directions to form a layered structure. The structure of III features an (Se2)2- anion that is bound eta 2 to Th(2) and eta 1 to Th(1). This anion influences the coordination sphere of the 9-coordinate Th(2) atom such that it is best described as bicapped trigonal prismatic where the eta 2-bound anion occupies one coordination site. The composition of III may be formulated as Cs4Th2(P2Se6)5/2(Se2) due to the presence of the (Se2)2- unit. Raman spectra for these compounds and their interpretation are reported.     

Dehydrogenation mechanisms and thermodynamics of MNH2BH3 (M=Li, Na) metal amidoboranes as predicted from first principles

Electronic structure calculations have been used to determine and compare the thermodynamics of H(2) release from ammonia borane (NH(3)BH(3)), lithium amidoborane (LiNH(2)BH(3)), and sodium amidoborane (NaNH(2)BH(3)). Using two types of exchange correlation functional we show that in the gas-phase the metal amidoboranes have much higher energies of complexation than ammonia borane, meaning that for the former compounds the B-N bond does not break upon dehydrogenation. Thermodynamically however, both the binding energy for H(2) release and the activation energy for dehydrogenation are much lower for NH(3)BH(3) than for the metal amidoboranes, in contrast to experimental results. We reconcile this by also investigating the effects of dimer complexation (2×NH(3)BH(3), 2×LiNH(2)BH(3)) on the dehydrogenation properties. As previously described in the literature the minimum energy pathway for H(2) release from the 2×NH(3)BH(3) complex involves the formation of a diammoniate of diborane complex ([BH(4)](-)[NH(3)BH(2)NH(3)](+)). A new mechanism is found for dehydrogenation from the 2×LiNH(2)BH(3) dimer that involves the formation of an analogous dibroane complex ([BH(4)](-)[LiNH(2)BH(2)LiNH(2)](+)), intriguingly it is lower in energy than the original dimer (by 0.13 eV at ambient temperatures). Additionally, this pathway allows almost thermoneutral release of H(2) from the lithium amidoboranes at room temperature, and has an activation barrier that is lower in energy than for ammonia borane, in contrast to other theoretical research. The transition state for single and dimer lithium amidoborane demonstrates that the light metal atom plays a significant role in acting as a carrier for hydrogen transport during the dehydrogenation process via the formation of a Li-H complex. We posit that it is this mechanism which is responsible, in condensed molecular systems, for the improved dehydrogenation thermodynamics of metal amidoboranes.     

Lithium calcium imide [Li2Ca(NH)2] for hydrogen storage: structural and thermodynamic properties

In an attempt to tailor the dehydrogenation temperature of lithium imides, we have investigated the ternary imide Li 2Ca(NH) 2, which crystallizes in a structure (space group P3 m1) different from that of Li 2Mg(NH) 2 (space group Iba2). First-principles density functional calculations yield the stable ground-state structure along with the correct hydrogen positions. Compared with the structural and thermodynamic data of the pure lithium imides, those Ca or Mg partially substituted ternary imides show decreased reaction enthalpies as well as dehydrogenation temperatures.     

Ni 1-x Pt x (x = 0-0.12) hollow spheres as catalysts for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

In this paper, nest-like Ni1-xPtx (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12) hollow spheres of submicrometer sizes have been prepared through a template-replacement route and investigated as catalysts for generating hydrogen from ammonia borane (NH3BH3). Experimental investigations have demonstrated that the obtained Ni1-xPtx alloy hollow spheres exhibit favorable catalytic activities for both the hydrolysis and the thermolysis of NH3BH3. It was found that, in the presence of the Ni0.88Pt0.12 catalyst, the hydrolysis of NH3BH3 causes a quick release of H2, while the thermal decomposition of NH3BH3 occurs at lowered temperatures with increased mass loss. The present results indicate that NH3BH3 along with Ni1-xPtx alloy hollow spheres may find some applications for small-scale on-board hydrogen storage and supply.     

Complementarity and countercomplementarity in polynuclear copper(II) complexes with R2NCH2CH(OH)CH2NR2 (R = H, CH3): crystal structures and magnetic study

The syntheses, structural characterization and magnetic behavior of five new copper(II) polynuclear compounds with formulae [Cu4(mu2-CH3COO)2(mu-bdmap)2(micro(1,5)-dca)2(dca)2(H2O)2] 1, [Cu2(mu2-CH3COO)(mu-bdap)(mu(1,1,5)-dca)(mu(1,3)-dca)]n 2, [Cu4(mu2-CH3COO)2(mu-bdmap)2(mu(1,1)-NCS)2(NCS)2] 3, [Cu2(mu2-CH3COO)(mu-bdap)(NCS)2] 4 and [Cu2(mu(1,3)-N3)(mu-bdmap)(N3)2]n 5 in which bdmapH is 1,3-bis(dimethylamino)-2-propanol, bdapH is 1,3-bis(amino)-2-propanol and dca is the anionic dicyanamide ligand, are reported herein. Tetranuclear complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with unit cell parameters a = 8.284(8), b = 21.52(1), c = 11.432(3) A, beta = 105.19(2) degrees , Z = 2. Bi-dimensional complex 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with unit cell parameters a = 8.184(5), b = 8.792(2), c = 10.887(2) A, alpha = 75.65(2), beta = 76.55(3), gamma = 74.36(3) degrees , Z = 2. Tetranuclear complex 3 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with unit cell parameters a = 8.455(4), b = 9.114(9), c = 12.744(8) A, alpha = 104.62(8), beta = 99.86(6), gamma = 106.10(8) degrees, Z = 1. Dinuclear complex 4 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with unit cell parameters a = 8.15(1), b = 8.18(2), c = 11.44(1) A, alpha = 69.39(2), beta = 80.36(2), gamma = 80.37(2) degrees , Z = 2. One-dimensional complex 5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell parameters a = 20.45(4), b = 11.36(3), c = 6.43(1) A, Z = 4. The magnetic behavior of all the complexes has been checked giving a bulk antiferromagnetic coupling in all the cases with |J| values in the range 109-144 cm(-1) for 1-4. Compound 5 is diamagnetic in the 2-300 K range of temperatures. The found J values 1-5 for can be justified from the structural data taking into account the orbital countercomplementarity for 1-4 and the orbital complementarity for 5.     

Three new organically templated 1D, 2D, and 3D vanadates: synthesis, crystal structures, and characterizations

Three new vanadate compounds of the formulas (C(2)N(2)H(10))VO(OH)(4) (I), (NH(4))(3)(C(3)N(2)H(5))V(4)O(10) (II), and V(OH)(3).0.97H(2)O (III) have been synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures of the above three vanadates have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes as tetragonal, space group P4/mmm, with a = 9.0465(11) A, c = 3.9897(10) A, V = 326.51(10) A(3), and Z = 2. Compound II crystallizes as orthorhombic, space group Immm, with a = 3.6012(10) A, b = 11.312(4) A, c = 15.050(4) A, V = 613.1(3) A3, and Z = 2. Compound III crystallizes as cubic, space group Fd3m, with a = 10.4252(17) A, V = 1133.1(3) A(3), and Z = 16. Structural analyses reveal a one-dimensional beeline-chained structure, which consists of VO(6) octahedra in I. Compound II possesses a two-dimensional V-O-layered structure formed by VO(5) square pyramids; protonated imidazole and remaining NH(4+) cations are inserted between the layers. The three-dimensional open framework of III with the pyrochlore type consists of V(12) and V(4) secondary building units by using VO(6) octahedra as building units.