Structural transformation with "negative volume expansion": chemical bonding and physical behavior of TiGePt

The synthesis and a joint experimental and theoretical study of the crystal structure and physical properties of the new ternary intermetallic compound TiGePt are presented. Upon heating, TiGePt exhibits an unusual structural phase transition with a huge volume contraction of about 10?%. The transformation is characterized by a strong change in the physical properties, in particular, by an insulator-metal transition. At temperatures below 885?°C TiGePt crystallizes in the cubic MgAgAs (half-Heusler) type (LT phase, space group F43m, a = 5.9349(2)??). At elevated temperatures, the crystal structure of TiGePt transforms into the TiNiSi structure type (HT phase, space group Pnma, a = 6.38134(9)??, b = 3.89081(5)??, c = 7.5034(1)??). The reversible, temperature-dependent structural transition was investigated by in-situ neutron powder diffraction and dilatometry measurements. The insulator-metal transition, indicated by resistivity measurements, is in accord with band structure calculations yielding a gap of about 0.9?eV for the LT phase and a metallic HT phase. Detailed analysis of the chemical bonding in both modifications revealed an essential change of the Ti-Pt and Ti-Ge interactions as the origin of the dramatic changes in the physical properties.     

ɛ‐TiO,a Novel Stable Polymorph of Titanium Monoxide

For the Ti/O system, three titanium monoxide (TiO) phases (α, β, and γ) with defective NaCl‐type structures and a high‐temperature hexagonal phase (H) have been known for decades. In this work, single crystals of a novel polymorph, ɛ‐TiO, were synthesized by using a bismuth flux. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a hexagonal crystal structure (a=4.9936(3) Å, c=2.8773(2) Å, P 2m) that is isotypic with ɛ‐TaN. While the Ti atoms are surrounded by trigonal prismatic (sixfold coordination) and trigonal planar (threefold coordination) arrangements of O atoms, the O atoms are found in a pseudo‐square‐pyramidal arrangement of Ti atoms. First‐principles calculations of the formation enthalpy and the electron and phonon density of states and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis revealed that ɛ‐TiO is more stable than α‐TiO, which had previously been regarded as the most stable phase at low temperatures.     

Phase Transition in Cs2KMnF6: Crystal Structures of Low- and High-Temperature Modifications

Crystalline Cs₂KMnF₆, when prepared below 500°C, adopts a tetragonal elpasolite structure type. Differential scanning calorimetric investigations indicated that Cs₂KMnF₆ undergoes a phase transition from the low-temperature tetragonal phase (LT) to a high-temperature phase (HT) at about 530°C. Single crystals of the new HT phase could be obtained by annealing a crystalline LT specimen at 600°C followed by rapid quenching to room temperature. In the present study the structures of both phases have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The LT phase has the tetragonal space group symmetry I4/mmm, with unit-cell parameters a=6.319(1) (a· =8.936) and c=9.257(2) Å, and Z=2. The HT phase has the cubic symmetry Fm3m, with the cell parameter a=9.067 Å and Z=4. Structural models of the LT and HT phases have been refined vs collected single-crystal X-ray reflection data to R values of 0.034 and 0.022, respectively. The uneven Mn–F bond distance distribution in the LT form, four bonds of 1.860(6) two of 2.034(9) Å, are typical for an octahedrally coordinated high-spin Mn³⁺ ion affected by Jahn–Teller effects. Due to symmetry constraints, all six octahedral Mn–F bonds in the HT form are equal to 1.931(5) Å. However, the mean square atomic displacement parameters of the fluorine atoms increases significantly from about 0.022 Ų for the LT phase to 0.042 Ų for the HT phase. The increased displacement parameters indicate that the phase transition from the LT to the HT form is associated with a directional disorder of the Jahn–Teller distortions around the Mn³⁺ ions.     

ɛ‐TiO,a Novel Stable Polymorph of Titanium Monoxide

For the Ti/O system, three titanium monoxide (TiO) phases (α, β, and γ) with defective NaCl‐type structures and a high‐temperature hexagonal phase (H) have been known for decades. In this work, single crystals of a novel polymorph, ?‐TiO, were synthesized by using a bismuth flux. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a hexagonal crystal structure (a=4.9936(3) Å, c=2.8773(2) Å, P 2m) that is isotypic with ?‐TaN. While the Ti atoms are surrounded by trigonal prismatic (sixfold coordination) and trigonal planar (threefold coordination) arrangements of O atoms, the O atoms are found in a pseudo‐square‐pyramidal arrangement of Ti atoms. First‐principles calculations of the formation enthalpy and the electron and phonon density of states and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis revealed that ?‐TiO is more stable than α‐TiO, which had previously been regarded as the most stable phase at low temperatures.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis,Structure, and Optical Properties of Two Nanosized Ln26@CO3 (Ln=Dy and Tb) Cluster‐Based Lanthanide–Transition‐Metal–Organic Frameworks (Ln MOFs)

Two Ln₂₆@CO₃ (Ln=Dy and Tb) cluster‐based lanthanide–transition‐metal–organic frameworks (Ln MOFs) formulated as [Dy₂₆Cu₃(Nic)₂₄(CH₃COO)₈(CO₃)₁₁(OH)₂₆(H₂O)₁₄]Cl ? 3 H₂O ( 1 ; HNic=nicotinic acid) and [Tb₂₆NaAg₃(Nic)₂₇(CH₃COO)₆(CO₃)₁₁(OH)₂₆Cl(H₂O)₁₅] ? 7.5 H₂O ( 2 ) have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal methods and characterized by IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, and single X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a=35.775(12) Å, b=33.346(11) Å, c=24.424(8) Å, β=93.993(5)°, V=29065(16) ų, whereas 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with a=20.4929(19) Å, b=24.671(2) Å, c=29.727(3) Å, α=81.9990(10)°, β=88.0830(10)°, γ=89.9940(10)°, V=14875(2) ų. Structural analysis indicates the framework of 1 is a 3D perovskite‐like structure constructed out of CO₃@Dy₂₆ building units and Cu⁺ centers by means of nicotinic acid ligand bridging. In 2 , however, nanosized CO₃@Tb₂₆ units and [Ag₃Cl]²⁺ centers are connected by Nic^? bridges to give rise to a 2D structure. It is worth mentioning that this kind of 4d–4f cluster‐based MOF is quite rare as most of the reported analogous compounds are 3d–4f ones. Additionally, the solid‐state emission spectra of pure compound 2 at room temperature suggest an efficient energy transfer from the ligand Nic^? to Tb³⁺ ions, which we called the “antenna effect”. Compound 2 shows a good two‐photon absorption (TPA) with a TPA coefficient of 0.06947 cm GM^?1 (1 GM=10^?50 cm⁴ s photon^?1), which indicates that compound 2 might be a good choice for third‐order nonlinear optical materials.     

Ce2Ti2SiO9 – das erste Titanat‐Silicat mit Cer – Präparation,Charakterisierung und Struktur

Ce₂Ti₂SiO₉ – the First Titanate‐Silicate with Cerium – Preparation, Characterization, and Structure Ce₂Ti₂SiO₉ was synthesized by chemical vapour transport in a temperature gradient (1050 °C → 900 °C) using Ce₂Ti₂O₇ as precursor and ammoniumchloride as transport agent. SiO₂ was provided from the wall of the used silica tubes. The chemical composition of the crystals was determined by EDX and EELS analysis. The structure of Ce₂Ti₂SiO₉ was determined and refined to R1 = 0.025, _wR2 = 0.067, respectively. The monoclinic phase crystallizes in the space group C2/m (No. 12) with a = 16.907(3) Å, b = 5.7078(8) Å, c = 7.574(2) Å, β = 111.38(2)° and Z = 4. Ti is octahedral, Si is tetrahedral surrounded by oxygen. Ce(1) is coordinated by eight, Ce(2) by ten oxygen atoms. There are edge connected chains of Ti(1)–O‐octahedra parallel [010] which are connected along [001] with each other by Ti(2)–O‐octahedra‐pairs and Si–O‐tetrahedra.     

2‐Amino‐5‐nitro‐4,6‐dipiperidinopyrimidinium hydrogen­sulfate monohydrate: hydrogen‐bonded sheets containing highly distorted cations

In the title compound, C₁₄H₂₃N₆O₂⁺·HSO₄⁻·H₂O, the pyrimidinium ring of the cation adopts a twist‐boat conformation, induced by steric clashes between adjacent ring substituents; the anions and the water mol­ecules are linked by three O—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 1.70–1.78 Å, O⃛O = 2.548 (2)–2.761 (2) Å and O—H⃛O = 161–168°] into chains of edge‐fused R(12) rings, which are linked into sheets by the cations, via three N—H⃛O hydrogen bonds [H⃛O = 1.96–2.17 Å, N⃛O = 2.820 (2)–2.935 (2) Å and N—H⃛O = 145–173°].     

Gd2AlGe2: An “Almost‐Zintl Phase” and a New Stacking Variant of the W2CoB2 Type

The synthesis, structure determination and calculated electronic structure of the new phase, Gd₂AlGe₂, are reported. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type with space group C2/c, a = 10.126(2) Å, b = 5.6837(12) Å, c = 7.7683(16) Å, and β = 104.729(3)s. Tight‐binding linear‐muffin‐tin orbital (TB‐LMTO‐ASA) calculations show a distinct minimum in the total density of states for this structure at 18 valence electrons per formula unit (Gd₂AlGe₂ has 17 valence electrons in its formula unit), which arises from polar covalent bonding within the three‐dimensional [AlGe₂] net, Gd‐Ge interactions and three‐center, two‐electron bonding between Al and Gd. The structure is a new stacking variant of the W₂CoB₂ structure type, which is observed for numerous ternary rare‐earth silicides and germanides.     

3Mg(OH)2·MgSO4·8H2O: A Metastable Phase in the System Mg(OH)2‐MgSO4‐H2O

In the course of investigations relating to magnesia oxysulfate cement the basic magnesium salt hydrate 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgSO₄ · 8H₂O (3–1–8 phase) was found as a metastable phase in the system Mg(OH)₂‐MgSO₄‐H₂O at room temperature (the 5–1–2 phase is the stable phase) and was characterized by thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray powder diffraction. The complex crystal structure of the 3–1–8 phase was determined from high resolution laboratory X‐ray powder diffraction data [space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 7.8956(1) Å, b = 9.8302(2) Å, c = 20.1769(2) Å, β = 96.2147(16)°, and V = 1556.84(4) ų]. In the crystal structure of the 3–1–8 phase, parallel double chains of edge‐linked distorted Mg(OH₂)₂(OH)₄ octahedra run along [–110] and [110] direction forming a pattern of crossed rods. Isolated SO₄ tetrahedra and interstitial water molecules separate the stacks of parallel double chains.     

Cs3UP2S8, a Coordination Polymer Containing the Unprecedented [U=S]2+ Sulfidouranium(2+) Moiety

Although terminal chalcogeno ligands are well known for the group 5 and 6 transition metals, they are highly unusual for the oxophilic group 4 metals and unknown so far for the lanthanides or actinides. Cs₃UP₂S₈, is the first actinide compound containing a terminal M=S group. It was synthesized by reacting uranium metal, Cs₂S, S, and P₂S₅ in a 4:1:8:3 ratio at 700 °C in an eutectic LiCl/CsCl mixture. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. Cs₃UP₂S₈ crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R$\bar{3}$ [a = 15.5217(8) Å; c = 35.132(2) Å, V = 8305.0(8) ų, Z = 18]. The crystal structure is based on a tetrahedral network type, wherein the uranium atoms are coordinated by a unusual sulfido moiety and thiophosphate groups in a pseudo‐tetrahedral fashion. The U=S distance of 2.635(3) Å observed in the sulfide moiety is approx. 0.2 Å shorter than the average U–S single bond length, indicating a double‐bond type character.     

Ca12[Mn19N23] and Ca133[Mn216N260]: Structural Complexity by 2D Intergrowth

Two new calcium nitridomanganates, Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] (P3, a=11.81341(3) Å, c=5.58975(2) Å, Z=1) and Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] ( , a=39.477(1) Å, c=5.5974(2) Å, Z=1), were obtained by a gas–solid reaction of Ca₃N₂ and Mn with N₂ at 1273 K and 1223 K, respectively. The crystal structure of Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] was determined from high‐resolution X‐ray synchrotron powder diffraction data, whereas single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was employed to establish the crystal structure of the Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] phase, which classifies as a complex metallic alloy (CMA). Both crystal structures have 2D nitridomanganate layers containing similar building blocks but of different levels of structural complexity. Bonding analysis as well as magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements revealed that only a fraction of the Mn atoms in both structures carries a localized magnetic moment, while for most Mn species the magnetism is quenched as a result of metal–metal bond formation.     

Kristallstruktur,Phasenumwandlung und Kaliumionenleitfähigkeit von Kaliumtrifluormethylsulfonat

Crystal Structure, Phase Transition, and Potassium Ion Conductivity of Potassium Trifluoromethanesulfonate According to the results of temperature dependent powder diffractometry (Guinier‐Simon‐technique) potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate is dimorphic. The phase transition occurs between –63 °C and –45 °C. The low‐temperature modification crystallizes monoclinic with a = 10.300(3) Å, b = 6.052(1) Å, c = 14.710(4) Å, β = 111.83(2)° (–120 °C) and the room‐temperature modification with a = 10.679(5) Å, b = 5.963(2) Å, c = 14.624(5) Å, β = 111.57(3)°, Z = 6, P2₁. According to single crystal structure determination, potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate consists of three different potassium‐oxygen‐coordination polyhedra, linked by sulfur atoms of the trifluoromethanesulfonate groups. This results in a channel structure with all lipophilic trifluoromethane groups pointing into these channels. By means of DSC, the transition temperature and enthalpy have been determined to be –33 °C and 0.93 ± 0.03 kJ/mol, respectively. The enthalpy of melting (237 °C) for potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate is 13.59 kJ/mol, the potassium ionic conductivity is 3.68 · 10^–6 Scm^–1 at 205 °C.     

Cs2[PdCl4] — neue Ergebnisse zu einer „altbekannten”︁ Verbindung

Hochtemperatur‐Cs₂[PdCl₄] — New Results on a “wellknown” Compound Two modifications of Cs₂[PdCl₄] have been characterized by X‐ray powder and single crystal diffraction, respectively. The crystal structures are described and the group‐subgroup‐relations between these structures are discussed. In addition to the tetragonal (P4/mmm (No. 123), a = 7.4158(8) Å, c = 4.6792(6) Å) and the orthorhombic (Cmcm (No. 63), a = 10.529(1) Å, b = 10.310(1) Å, c = 9.460(1) Å) modification DSC investigations and high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction experiments with synchrotron radiation show the existence of another modification or of yet unknown decomposition products. The phase transformation from the orthorhombic to the tetragonal polymorph is completely finished at 100 °C. The second effect is detected at 319 °C.     

Synthesis,Structure and Thermodynamic Property of a New Lithium Borate: Li4[B8O13(OH)2]·3H2O

A new hydrated lithium borate, Li₄[B₈O₁₃(OH)₂]·3H₂O, has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR spectroscopy, simultaneous TGA‐DTA and chemical analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic, space group , a=8.4578(5) Å, b=8.7877(5) Å, c=10.8058(7) Å, α=87.740(3)°, β=71.819(3)°, γ=61.569(3)°, Z=2, V=665.26(7) ų, D_c=2.043 g/cm³. Its crystal structure features polyborate anionic layers with the larger odd 13‐membered boron rings constructed by [B₈O₁₃(OH)₂]^4? FBBs. Through designing the thermochemical cycle, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of this borate was determined to be ?(7953.8±6.6) kJ·mol^?1 by using a heat conduction microcalorimeter.     

Adducts of 1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane with diamines: three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded frameworks formed with 1,6‐diaminohexane and 2,2′‐bipyridyl

The adduct 1,6‐di­amino­hexane–1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxy­phenyl)­ethane (1/2) is a salt {hexane‐1,6‐diyldiammonium–4‐[1,1‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phenolate (1/2)}, C₆H₁₈N₂²⁺·2C₂₀H₁₇O₃^?, in which the cation lies across a centre of inversion in space group P. The anions are linked by two short O—H?O hydrogen bonds [H?O 1.74 and 1.76 Å, O?O 2.5702 (12) and 2.5855 (12) Å, and O—H?O 168 and 169°] into a chain containing two types of R(24) ring. Each cation is linked to four different anion chains by three N—H?O hydrogen bonds [H?O 1.76–2.06 Å, N?O 2.6749 (14)–2.9159 (14) Å and N—H?O 156–172°]. In the adduct 2,2′‐bipyridyl–1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxy­phenyl)­ethane (1/2), C₁₀H₈N₂·2C₂₀H₁₈O₃, the neutral di­amine lies across a centre of inversion in space group P2₁/n. The tris­(phenol) mol­ecules are linked by two O—H?O hydrogen bonds [H?O both 1.90 Å, O?O 2.7303 (14) and 2.7415 (15) Å, and O—H?O 173 and 176°] into sheets built from R(38) rings. Pairs of tris­(phenol) sheets are linked via the di­amine by means of a single O—H?N hydrogen bond [H?N 1.97 Å, O?N 2.7833 (16) Å and O—H?N 163°].     

Structural Characterisation of the Li Argyrodites Li7PS6 and Li7PSe6 and their Solid Solutions: Quantification of Site Preferences by MAS‐NMR Spectroscopy

Li₇PS₆ and Li₇PSe₆ belong to a class of new solids that exhibit high Li⁺ mobility. A series of quaternary solid solutions Li₇PS_6?xSe_x (0≤x≤6) were characterised by X‐ray crystallography and magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS‐NMR) spectroscopy. The high‐temperature (HT) modifications were studied by single‐crystal investigations (both F$\bar 4$ 3m, Z=4, Li₇PS₆: a=9.993(1) Å, Li₇PSe₆: a=10.475(1) Å) and show the typical argyrodite structures with strongly disordered Li atoms. HT‐Li₇PS₆ and HT‐Li₇PSe₆ transform reversibly into low‐temperature (LT) modifications with ordered Li atoms. X‐ray powder diagrams show the structures of LT‐Li₇PS₆ and LT‐Li₇PSe₆ to be closely related to orthorhombic LT‐α‐Cu₇PSe₆. Single crystals of the LT modifications are not available due to multiple twinning and formation of antiphase domains. The gradual substitution of S by Se shows characteristic site preferences closely connected to the functionalities of the different types of chalcogen atoms (S, Se). High‐resolution solid‐state ³¹P NMR is a powerful method to differentiate quantitatively between the distinct (PS_4?nSe_n)^3? local environments. Their population distribution differs significantly from a statistical scenario, revealing a pronounced preference for P? S over P? Se bonding. This preference, shown for the series of LT samples, can be quantified in terms of an equilibrium constant specifying the melt reaction Se_P+S^2??S_P+Se^2?, prior to crystallisation. The ⁷⁷Se MAS‐NMR spectra reveal that the chalcogen distributions in the second and third coordination sphere of the P atoms are essentially statistical. The number of crystallographically independent Li atoms in both LT modifications was analysed by means of ⁶Li{⁷Li} cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS).     

Cobalt(III) Complex [CoL3] Derived from an Asymmetric Bidentate Schiff Base Ligand L (L=(5‐Bromo‐2‐hydroxybenzyl‐2‐furylmethyl)‐imine): Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structure

Cobalt(III) complex [CoL₃], where L=(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxybenzyl‐2‐furylmethyl)imine, has been synthesized by reacting cobalt(II) nitrate with L. The complex has been characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [CoL₃] was determined by X‐ray crystallography from single crystal data. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group$ P {\bar 1} $ with unit cell parameters:a=9.6644(10) Å,b=11.5657(11) Å,c=16.5809(17) Å,α=102.833(4)°,β=102.999(3)°,γ=105.480(3)°,V=1659.9(3) ųandZ=2. Thermal decomposition of [CoL₃] was studied by thermogravimetry in order to evaluate its thermal stability and thermal decomposition pathways.     

Inorganic−Organic Hybrid Polymers via Hydrothermal Syntheses: Tetraaquahexakis(pyrazine‐2‐carboxylato)pentacopper(4+) Hexacosaoxooctamolybdate(4−) Polymer ({[Cu5(pzca)6(H2O)4][Mo8O26]}n; pzca=Pyrazine‐2‐carboxylate) and Dicopperdecaoxo(pyrazine)trimolybdenum Polymer ([Mo3Cu2O10(pz)]n; pz=pyrazine)

Hydrothermal reactions of MoO₃, CuO, and pyrazine‐2‐carboxylic acid (Hpzca) resulted in two polymeric complexes, {[Cu₅(pzca)₆(H₂O)₄][Mo₈O₂₆]}_n ( 1 ; pzca=pyrazine‐2‐carboxylate) and [Mo₃Cu₂O₁₀(pz)]_n ( 2 ; pz=pyrazine). The former crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=10.805(3) Å, b=13.061(5) Å, c=13.337(10) Å, β=90.20(4)°, V=2729(2) ų, and Z=2. The later crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a=12.385(2) Å, b=7.6044(9) Å, c=12.7880(14) Å, V=1204.4(2) ų, and Z=4. X‐Ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1 possesses a two‐dimensional wave‐like structure, formed from a zigzag one‐dimensional chain, and 2 is a three‐dimensional network structure formed from a one‐dimensional chain and a pz bridging ligand. The temperature‐dependent magnetic behavior of 1 was studied.     

Struktur und magnetische Eigenschaften von Bis{3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazolium(1+)}pentafluoromanganat(III): (3‐atriazH)2[MnF5]

Structure and Magnetic Properties of Bis{3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazolium(1+)}pentafluoromanganate(III): (3‐atriazH)₂[MnF₅] The crystal structure of (3‐atriazH)₂[MnF₅], space group P1, Z = 4, a = 8.007(1) Å, b = 11.390(1) Å, c = 12.788(1) Å, α = 85.19(1)°, β = 71.81(1)°, γ = 73.87(1)°, R = 0.034, is built by octahedral trans‐chain anions [MnF₅]^2–_∞ separated by the mono‐protonated organic amine cations. The [MnF₆] octahedra are strongly elongated along the chain axis (<Mn–F_ax> 2.135 Å, <Mn–F_eq> 1.842 Å), mainly due to the Jahn‐Teller effect, the chains are kinked with an average bridge angle Mn–F–Mn = 139.3°. Below 66 K the compound shows 1D‐antiferromagnetism with an exchange energy of J/k = –10.8 K. 3D ordering is observed at T_N = 9.0 K. In spite of the large inter‐chain separation of 8.2 Å a remarkable inter‐chain interaction with |J′/J| = 1.3 · 10^–5 is observed, mediated probably by H‐bonds. That as well as the less favourable D/J ratio of 0.25 excludes the existence of a Haldene phase possible for Mn³⁺ (S = 2).     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure Study of Diethyl Aryl(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐ylamino)methyl Phosphonates

A three‐component synthesis of α‐aminophosphonate is described from a reaction between aldehydes, 2‐aminobenzothiazole, and triethyl phosphite in the presence of InCl₃ as a catalyst under solvent‐free conditions for the generation of the particular α‐aminophosphonates. These products have two potentially biologically active parts, aminophosphonate and benzothiazole. This method offers advantages such as short reaction times, good yields, solvent‐free conditions, and easy workup with the green aspects by avoiding toxic catalysts and solvents. The crystal structure of 4b has been determined by X‐ray crystallography. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters a = 21.9285(5) Å, b = 10.3221(2) Å, c = 18.5979(5) Å, β = 108.759(3)°, V = 3985.99(18) ų, D_calc = 1.301 mg m⁻³, and Z = 8. The final R value is 0.0501 for 3741 reflections. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:58–65, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21063