Cluster self-organization of TR-containing silicate and germanate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursors and self-assembly of A2HMTO5 (A = Li, Na; M = Sc, Lu, Yb) crystal structures with MTO5 frameworks

The combinatorial topological analysis is carried out using the coordination sequences method (the TOPOS 4.0 program package) and the matrix self-assembly is modeled for silicates Li₂HTRSiO₅ (TR = Lu, Yb; space group $P\bar 1$ ) and germanate Na₂HScGeO₅ (space group P2₁ ab). These compounds, having identical formulas, have different MT frameworks built of M octahedra (TRO₆) and T tetrahedra (SiO₄, GeO₄). New types of crystal-forming binodal nets are discovered: 4 4 6 6 + 4 4 6 for lutetium silicate and 44444(4⁵) + Ge 444(4³) for scandium germanate; the atom-site ratio in the nets is M: T = 1: 1. A ring invariant suprapolyhedral precursor cluster composed of four polyhedra is identified, with two (A = Li, Na) atoms lying one above and one below the center of the cluster. A₂M₂T₂ precursor clusters control the evolution of high-level crystal-forming clusters by means of the matrix assembly mechanism. The evolution routes of the suprapolyhedral precursor clusters bifurcate at the stage where topologically dissimilar layers are formed of equivalent chains. The cluster coordination numbers (CCNs) in a layer for the precursor clusters are four for lutetium silicate and six for scandium germanate.     

Die Kristallstruktur des Lithiumdigermanats Li2Ge2O5

The compound Li₂Ge₂O₅ has been prepared by annealing a glassy melt (500° C). The lattice parameters have been determined from single crystal photographs:a=5,99,b=15,19,c=4,97 Å and β=90,0°, space group C _S ⁴ :?Cc. Li₂Ge₂O₅ has a layer structure and is isostructural with Li₂Si₂O₅.     

Li8Si8, Li10Si9, and Li12Si10: Assemblies of Lithium-Silicon Aromatic Units

We report the global minima structures of Li₈Si₈, Li₁₀Si₉, and Li₁₂Si₁₀ systems, in which silicon moieties maintain structural and chemical bonding characteristics similar to those of their building blocks: the aromatic clusters T_d−Li₄Si₄ and C_2v−Li₆Si₅. Electron counting rules, chemical bonding analysis, and magnetic response properties verify the silicon unit‘s aromaticity persistence. This study demonstrates the feasibility of assembling silicon-based nanostructures from aromatics clusters as building blocks.     

Cluster self-organization of Na,Ti-silicate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursors and self-assembly of crystal structures of Na2Ti2Si2O9 (Ramzaite) and Na2TiSiO5 (paranatisite)

The initial stages of formation of precursor clusters are considered in an evolving system containing various types of polyhedra: T tetrahedra and M polyhedra (pyramids, octahedra, and others). A graph topological representation of the precursor clusters of different self-organization levels of a chemical system is given. The model has been applied to find precursor clusters for Na,Ti-silicates that crystallize in the Na-Ti-Si-O(H) systems. For ramzaite Na₂Ti₂Si₂O₉ (RAM) and a dimorph of natisite (NAT), namely, paranatisite Na₂TiSiO₅ (PNAT), computer techniques (the TOPOS 4.0 program package) have been used to perform the full 3D reconstruction of structure self-assembly: precursor cluster-primary chain-microlayer-microframework (supraprecursor). New types of eight-polyhedral ring precursor clusters have been identified. The packing specifics of precursor clusters in crystal-forming microlayers determine the platy habit of Na,Ti-silicate single crystals.     

Cluster self-organization of germanate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursor nanoclusters and self-assembly of CAN-Na8(Al6Ge6O24)Ge(OH)6(H2O)2 and CAN-Cs2Na6(Al6Ge6O24)Ge(OH)6) zeolite crystal structures re]20100419

Geometrical and topological analysis of zeolite crystal structures having a tetrahedral framework of the cancrinite (CAN) type, namely, (CAN) Na₈(Al₆Ge₆O₂₄)Ge(OH)₆(H₂O)₂ (acentric space group P6₃, hP64, Na-CAN) and Cs₂Na₆(Al₆Ge₆O₂₄)Ge(OH)₆ (P6₃, hP52, CsNa-CAN), is carried out with the use of computer techniques (the TOPOS 4.0 program package). An AT ₆ hexapolyhedral precursor nanocluster centered with a template cation A (Na, Cs) is identified. The topological type of a two-dimensional (2D) crystalforming T-net 4.6.12, which corresponds to a uninodal semiregular Shubnikov net, is recognized. The full 3D reconstruction of crystal structure self-assembly is performed as follows: precursor nanocluster → primary chain → microlayer → microframework → … framework. The symmetry of an AT6 precursor nanocluster is described by point group 3; the symmetry axis passes through the center of the nanocluster and cation A. The coordination number (CN) of a precursor nanocluster, which characterizes the nanocluster stacking in the macrostructure, is six. In both structures, six Na atoms and a Ge(OH)₆ polyhedral species are spacers filling the voids between AT ₆ precursor nanoclusters. The Ge(OH)₆ polyhedral species is characterized by four and two orientationally allowed positions in Na-CAN and CsNa-CAN, respectively. The minimal number of suprapolyhedral AT ₆ precursor nanoclusters required for the 3D microframework to form is 16; that is, 96 tetrahedra are involved in microframework self-assembly.     

Modeling of self-organization of silicate systems: Precursor nanoclusters and self-assembly of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>MSi<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> (M = Y,Eu-Lu; oP256) crystal structures producing two interpenetrating diamond-type frameworks

In the M-T-O model system (M is a polyvalent metal with CN ≥ 4; T is Si), cyclic clusters have been deduced as graphs in the T/M range from one to three. The case is considered when monocyclic cluster M₂T₂ is modified by T-tetrahedra that form diortho groups T₂. The M sites of the cluster have either topologically different local MT structures (four types) or identical local MT structures (two types). The cluster types for T/M = 3 obtained by modeling were used in analysis of one of the most complicated types of silicate crystal structures Na₃MSi₃O₉ (M = Y; Eu-Lu; T/M = 3) with the Pearson index oP256 and 64 independent atoms. The TOPOS program package was used to carry out the complete 3D reconstruction of the self-assembly of the crystal structure: suprapolyhedral precursor nanocluster → primary chain → microlayer → microframework (supraprecursor) → ... three-dimensional framework. The calculation of the coordination sequences of site atoms in the 3D network of the MT framework MT₃O₉ revealed topological symmetry related to a three-dimensional separation of the framework into two interpenetrating frameworks. Each framework structure is generated by topologically equivalent cyclic precursor clusters Na₂M₂T₆ consisting of two YO₆ octahedra comprising three diortho groups Si₂O₇ and two Na atoms located above and below the ring center. The 3D graphs characterizing the connectivity of the centers of crystallographically equivalent clusters in the frameworks correspond to diamond-type networks.     

Modeling of self-organization in crystal-forming MT systems: The structural mechanism of self-assembly from suprapolyhedral clusters for framework titanophosphates NaTiPO<Subscript>5</Subscript> (SYN), NaTiPO<Subscript>5</Subscript> (TIT), and KTiPO<Subscript>5</Subscript> (KTP)

Ring precursor clusters are derived for the MT-system containing two different polyhedra T and M, where T stands for a TO₄ tetrahedron and M is in the general case an MO_n polyhedron with the number of vertices n ≥ 5, i.e., a pyramid, octahedron, or others. The topological representation of the precursor cluster is given in the form of two-colored graphs. The model developed for describing the formation and evolution of clusters that form periodic structures is used to search for the precursor clusters of framework phosphate structures: NaTiPO₅ (SYN), NaTiPO₅ (TIT), and KTiPO₅ (KTP). Computer methods are used to perform the full 3D reconstruction of the self-assembly of phosphate crystal structures: precursor cluster—primary chain—micro-layer—microframework (supraprecursor). New eight-polyhedral ring precursor clusters are identified. The crystal-forming polynodal 2D nets with a hierarchic superstructure are recognized: M8833+T883 for SYN (NaTiPO₅), M84634+T843+M836+T864 for TIT (NaTiPO₅), M8939+2M8339+M839+3T893+T89 for KTP (KTiPO₅), and M8484+M88+2T848 for PNAT (Na₂TiSiO₅). The coordination numbers of the clusters in all 2D nets are four.     

Cluster self-organization of Na-TR-Ge-O-H (TR = La-Lu, Y, and Sc) germanate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursor clusters and self-assembly of Na2Pr6Ge8O26, Na4Sc2Ge4O13, and Na5ScGe4O12 crystal structures

In an M-T-O model system (M is a polyvalent metal; T = Ge or Si), we consider initial stages of formation of cyclic MT clusters and the mechanism of their modification by T tetrahedra. The polyhedron ratio T/M in clusters increases progressively during modeling from one in M₂T₂ to two (M₂T₂ + 2T = M₂T₄), three (M₂T₂ + 2T₂ = M₂T₆), and four (M₂T₂ + 2T + 2T₂ = M₂T₈). These types of clusters were used to find precursor clusters for T-condensed structures of Na₂Pr₆Ge₈O₂₆, Na₄Sc₂Ge₄O₁₃, and Na₅ScGe₄O₁₂. The TOPOS program package was used to carry out the complete 3D reconstruction of the self-assembly of Na,TR germanates: precursor cluster → primary chain → microlayer → microframework (supraprecursor) → ... framework. In all structures, as previously in six orthotetrahedral Na,TR germanate structures, the basic invariant type of four-polyhedral cyclic precursor cluster M₂T₂ was identified; this cluster is built of TR polyhedra, with CN = 6 or 7, linked via orthotetrahedra. The features of the generation of a Ge radical were considered in the form of a Ge₂O₇ chain and a Ge₄O₁₂ ring in various layers of the Na₂Pr₆Ge₈O₂₆ composite structure, a Ge₄O₁₃ chain in Na₄Sc₂Ge₄O₁₃, and a Ge₁₂O₃₆ ring in the Na₅ScGe₄O₁₂ superionic conductor. Original Russian Text ? G.D. Ilyushin, L.N. Dem’yanets, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 3, pp. 484–496.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur der Verbindung Li4H2Si2O7

Zusammenfassung Die Verbindung Li₄H₂Si₂O₇ wird durch Umsetzung von Li₆Si₂O₇ mit Methanol bzw. Wasserdampf dargestellt und ihre Kristallstruktur an Hand von Einkristallaufnahmen bestimmt. Die tetragonale Elementarzelle ( ) mita=7,59₅ undc=5,06 Å enthält zwei Formeleinheiten. Die Verbindung zählt zu den Sorosilicaten, mit [Si₂O₇]-Gruppen, die gleich angeordnet sind wie in Li₆Si₂O₇. Im Gegensatz zu Li₆Si₂O₇, das die Lithiumatome teils in einer vierzähligen Lage (KZ=5) teils einer achtzähligen Lage (KZ=4) enthält, ist in der Verbindung Li₄H₂Si₂O₇ nur letztere Position mit Lithiumatonen besetzt. Die Verteilung der Wasserstoffatome wird diskutiert.

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Preparation and crystal structure of the compoundLi ₄H₂Si₂O₇

The compound Li₄H₂Si₂O₇ has been prepared by reaction of Li₆Si₂O₇ with methanol and water vapour, resp. The crystal structure has been determined by single-crystal data. The tetragonal cell ( ):a=7.59₅ andc=5.06 Å contains two formula units. The compound belongs to the soro-silicates the [Si₂O₇]-groups being arranged analogous to Li₆Si₂O₇. In contrast to Li₆Si₂O₇, containing the lithium atoms both in a 4-fold position (c.n.=5) and an 8-fold position (c.n.=4), in the compound Li₄H₂Si₂O₇ only the latter is occupied by lithium atoms. The distribution of the hydrogen atoms is discussed.

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Cluster self-organization of Li-and TR-containing germanate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursors and self-assembly of LiScGeO4 and LiHo3(GeO4)2F2 crystal structures

The combinatorial and topologic analysis (the TOPOS 4.0 program package, the coordination sequences method) is carried out for the crystal structures of the orthogermanates Li^[6]Sc^[6]Ge^[4]O₄ (the olivine type, space group Pnuma) and Li^[6]Ho^[8]Ho ₂ ^[7] (GeO₄)₂F₂ (space group I2/c). The same type of 2D TR,Ge-net with the Schläfli index of 3⁴4² + 3²4² and the site ratio of TR: Ge = 1: 1 is discovered for both structures. Four-polyhedral ring precursor clusters (TR)₂T₂ are identified using the two-color decomposition of structural graphs. All the clusters have a symmetry center; they differ in the types of TR polyhedra (ScO₆ and HoO₆F), which are linked through GeO₄ orthotetrahedra into a ring. The Li atoms reside above and under the centers of the clusters. The Li₂(TR)₂T₂ clusters determine the formation of crystal-forming clusters of a higher level by means of matrix self-assembly. The coordination number of the precursor clusters in the 2D net is six, which is the highest possible value.     

Modeling of self-organization processes in crystal-forming systems. Structural mechanism of self-assembly of zirconosilicate Na2ZrSi2O7 from suprapolyhedral clusters

Topological analysis of the crystal structure of Na₂ZrSi₂O₇ (parakeldyshite, space group P1^–) with an MT framework, where M are ZrO₆ octahedra and T are SiO₄ tetrahedra, was carried out by the method of coordination sequences (TOPOS.3.2 program package), and the self-organization of this structure was modeled. The cyclic-type suprapolyhedral cluster precursor Na₂M₂T₄ with the local symmetry 1^– was identified by bicolor decomposition of the 4646+664 net. The cluster is composed of six polyhedra with two Na atoms located in the center. The precursors control the evolution of high-level crystal-forming clusters. The cluster coordination number is six. The centers of eight cluster precursors in the superprecursor of the Na₂ZrSi₂O₇ structure are related by translation vectors.     

Neue Suboxid-Cluster [O5Ba18] in den Kristallstrukturen von Ba21M2O5 (M = Si,Ge)

Novel Suboxide Clusters [O₅Ba₁₈] in the Crystal Structures of Ba₂₁M₂O₅ (M = Si, Ge) The compounds Ba₂₁M₂O₅ (M = Si, Ge) crystallize in the cubic system with space group Fd3m, lattice constants 2 038.3(10) pm (Si), 2 039.8(9) pm (Ge) resp. and Z = 8. The crystal structure contains isolated Si/Ge atoms coordinated by barium atoms in an icosahedral arrangement. The oxygen atoms are situated in the centers of barium octahedra, four of which share common faces with an additional central octahedron. The novel clusters [O₅Ba₁₈] in principal are related to those in the crystal structures of the binary Cs/Rb suboxides.     

Structural investigations and luminescence of In2Ge2O7 and In2Si2O7

The crystal structures of the ordinary pressure forms of indium digermanate In₂Ge₂O₇ and disilicate In₂Si₂O₇ have been studied from X-ray powder diffraction data by Rietveld refinement. They are closely related to that of the thortveitite which crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group C2/m and Z = 2. They show luminescence properties below 160 K and 200 K respectively. The luminescence is discussed in terms of crystal structure and compared to that of some other luminescent indium oxides.     

Expanding the Averievite Family, (MX)Cu5O2(T5+O4)2 (T5+ = P,V; M = K,Rb, Cs,Cu; X = Cl,Br): Synthesis and Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Study

Averievite-type compounds with the general formula (MX)[Cu₅O₂(TO₄)], where M = alkali metal, X = halogen and T = P, V, have been synthesized by crystallization from gases and structurally characterized for six different compositions: 1 (M = Cs; X = Cl; T = P), 2 (M = Cs; X = Cl; T = V), 3 (M = Rb; X = Cl; T = P), 4 (M = K; X = Br; T = P), 5 (M = K; X = Cl; T = P) and 6 (M = Cu; X = Cl; T = V). The crystal structures of the compounds are based upon the same structural unit, the layer consisting of a kagome lattice of Cu²⁺ ions and are composed from corner-sharing (OCu₄) anion-centered tetrahedra. Each tetrahedron shares common corners with three neighboring tetrahedra, forming hexagonal rings, linked into the two-dimensional [O₂Cu₅]⁶⁺ sheets parallel to (001). The layers are interlinked by (T⁵⁺O₄) tetrahedra (T⁵⁺ = V, P) attached to the bases of the oxocentered tetrahedra in a “face-to-face” manner. The resulting electroneutral 3D framework {[O₂Cu₅](T⁵⁺O₄)₂}⁰ possesses channels occupied by monovalent metal cations M⁺ and halide ions X⁻. The halide ions are located at the centers of the hexagonal rings of the kagome nets, whereas the metal cations are in the interlayer space. There are at least four different structure types of the averievite-type compounds: the P-3m1 archetype, the 2 × 2 × 1 superstructure with the P-3 space group, the monoclinically distorted 1 × 1 × 2 superstructure with the C2/c symmetry and the low-temperature P2₁/c superstructure with a doubled unit cell relative to the high-temperature archetype. The formation of a particular structure type is controlled by the interplay of the chemical composition and temperature. Changing the chemical composition may lead to modification of the structure type, which opens up the possibility to tune the geometrical parameters of the kagome net of Cu²⁺ ions.     

Die Kristallstruktur der Verbindung Li6[Si2O7]

Zusammenfassung Die Kristallstruktur von Li₆[Si₂O₇] wird mit Hilfe von Patterson-Projektionen und dreidimensionalen Fourier-Synthesen sowie nach der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate bestimmt. Die Gitterparameter der tetragonalen Elementarzelle (P42₁m-D _2d ³ ) betragen:a=7,71₅;c=4,88 Å. Die Verbindung zählt zu den Sorosilicaten mit isolierten [Si₂O₇]-Gruppen. Die Lithiumionen weisen gegenüber Sauerstoff die Koordinationszahlen 4 und 5 auf. Als mittlere Abstände [Å] wurden ermittelt: Si-O : 1,64 Li-O : 1,95 [4] und 2,18 [5].

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The crystal structure ofLi ₆[Si ₂ O ₇]

The crystal structure of Li₆[Si₂O₇] has been determined by means of Patterson projections, 3-dimensional Fourier syntheses and the least-squares method. The lattice parameters of the tetragonal unit cell (P42₁m-D _2d ³ ) area=7.71₅ andc=4.88 Å. The compound belongs to the sorosilicates having isolated [Si₂O₇]-groups. The coordination numbers of the lithium ions are 4 and 5. The average interatomic distances were found to be: Si-O : 1,64 Å; Li-O : 1.95 [4] and 2.18 [5] Å.

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(Li6Si5)2–5: The Smallest Cluster-Assembled Materials Based on Aromatic Si56− Rings

Extensive explorations of their potential energy surfaces, combined with high-level quantum chemical computations, strikingly show that the lowest energy structures of the (Li₆Si₅)_2–5 systems consist of 2–5 Si₅⁶⁻ aromatic units, surrounded by Li⁺ counterions, respectively. These viable gas-phase compounds are the pioneering reported cases of oligomers made by planar aromatic silicon rings. Based on the key evidence that these oligomers are energetically favored, and that their silicon rings aromaticity is thoroughly preserved, the Li₆Si₅ cluster is proposed as a potential assembly unit to build silicon-lithium nanostructures, thus opening new paths to design Zintl compounds at the nanoscale level.     

Ground and excited states properties of Na4F m=1−3, Li4H and Li4H2 clusters

Stable ground state structures for neutral and charged Li _n H, Li _n H₂ and Na _n F _m (n?m) have been determined usingab —initio methods accounting for electronic correlation effects. The consequences of replacing alkali-atom by foreign-atom or -atoms have been studied. The similarities and differences with respect to topologies of the most stable Li _n and Na _n clusters will be pointed out. The ionization potentials and spectroscopic patterns are compared with available experimental data. This allows for the geometrical and spectroscopic assignments as well as for a study of the influence of localized versus non localized bonding on the ground and excited state properties of mixed clusters.     

New silicate-germanate Cs2Pb2[(Si0.6Ge0.4)2O7] from the series A2Pb2[B2O7], A = K,Cs, B = Si,Ge with the umbrella-like [PbO3]4- group

New silicate-germanate Cs₂Pb₂[(Si_0.6Ge_0.4)₂O₇] was synthesized in multi-components hydrothermal solution with 20 w.% concentration of Cs₂CO₃ mineralizer, pH = 10. Novel mixed compound belongs to the structure type A₂Pb₂[B₂O₇] previously indicated for powders with A = K, B=Si or Ge. Singe crystal structure determination of Cs₂Pb₂[(Si_0.6Ge_0.4)₂O₇] revealed the need for the correction of the space group of the earlier suggested structural model from P-3 to P-3m1, as well as for the splitting of the Pb-atom position. Umbrella-like groups [PbO₃]^4- are located between [(Si,Ge)O₄]^4- tetrahedra in mica-like honeycomb layers and play the role of tetrahedra with the Pb-lone-pair as the forth apex. Crystal chemical comparison revealed similarities and differences with the classical structure type of α-celsian Ba[Al₂Si₂O₈] with the tetrahedral double layer. Recently investigated nonlinear optical acentric borates Pb₂(BO₃)(NO₃) and Pb₂(BO₃)Cl are both related to this structural type, possessing umbrella-like groups [PbO₃]^4- and honeycomb layers [Pb₂(BO₃)]⁺ with the BO₃-triangles on the tetrahedral positions.     

Crystal structure of a new vanadate variety in the lomonosovite group: Na5Ti2O2[Si2O7](VO4)

The title compound has been prepared by a flux crystallisation method and its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction: space group P, a=5.309(1), b=7.133(1), c=14.746(2) Å, α=99.05(1), β=95.97(1), γ=90.08(1)°, wR₂=0.073, R=0.028. The structure may be described as built by seidozerite modules of composition Na₂Ti₂O₂Si₂O₇ — brucite-type layers of [TiO₆] and [NaO₆] octahedra embedded between layers of [TiO₆] octahedra, [Si₂O₇] groups and [NaO₈] polyhedra. These almost centrosymmetrical triple-layers alternate along the c-axis with polar double-layer-modules of composition Na₃VO₄ formed by isolated [VO₄]³⁻ anions and six- and four-coordinate Na cations. The crystal structure is discussed in context with minerals of the lomonosovite group. The thermal decomposition behaviour suggests a decay to the single modular components Na₂Ti₂O₂Si₂O₇ and Na₃VO₄.     

New garnet compounds A 3 2+ B 2 2+ C4+V 2 5+ O12(A = Ca,Cd; B = Mg,Zn, Co,Ni, Cu,Mn, Cd; C = Ge,Si)

Garnet compounds A ₃ ²⁺ B ₂ ²⁺ C⁴⁺V ₂ ⁵⁺ O₁₂ (A = Ca, Cd; B = Mg, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cd; C = Ge, Si) (space group \(Ia\bar 3d\) , Z = 8) have been prepared by solid-phase synthesis in air at 900–1250°C. Most of these compounds melt incongruently or decompose in the solid phase. The isomorphic capacity of garnets and their homogeneity fields are discussed. The structures of Ca₃Zn₂GeV₂O₁₂ and Ca₃Cu₂GeV₂O₁₂ have been refined by the Rietveld method.