High‐Pressure Synthesis of A2NiO2Ag2Se2 (A=Sr,Ba) with a High‐Spin Ni2+ in Square‐Planar Coordination

Square‐planar coordinate Ni²⁺ ions in oxides are exclusively limited to a low‐spin state (S=0) owing to extensive crystal field splitting. Layered oxychalcogenides A₂Ni^IIO₂Ag₂Se₂ (A=Sr, Ba) with the S=1 NiO₂ square lattice are now reported. The structural analysis revealed that the Ni²⁺ ion is under‐bonded by a significant tensile strain from neighboring Ag₂Se₂ layers, leading to the reduction in crystal field splitting. Ba₂NiO₂Ag₂Se₂ exhibits a G‐type spin order at 130 K, indicating fairly strong in‐plane interactions. The high‐pressure synthesis employed here possibly assists the expansion of NiO₂ square lattice by taking the advantage of the difference in compressibility in oxide and selenide layers.     

Ba2NiTeO6 – eine neue Verbindung in der Reihe der hexagonalen Perowskite

Ba₂NiTeO₆ — a novel compound in the series of hexagonal perovskites (Ba₂)(¹²)(NiTe)(⁶)O₆ crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R3 m with a = 5.797 and c = 28.595 Å for the unit cell in the trigonal setting, which contains 6 formula units. The crystal structure was solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction and refined down to R = 2.9%. It can be described by 12 close-packed BaO₃ layers alternating in the sequence hhcchhcc…, with an ordered occupation of the octahedral lattice sites by Ni and Te atoms. Groups of three octahedra, which are connected with one another by common faces, are linked with each other by TeO₆ octahedra via common corners. The central octahedra of these face-linked groups are occupied by Te, the outer ones by Ni. The bonding within the NiO₆ polyhedra is discussed on the basis of the ligand field spectra and compared to similar compounds. It is shown that there can be an appreciable change of the ligand field parameter Δ (30%) even when the Ni — O distances are nearly equal — in contrast to the predictions of the crystal field theory. Effects of this kind are observed under certain structural conditions, when the bonding within the NiO₆ polyhedra is changed indirectly by substitution of atoms with a noble gas configuration (W⁶⁺) by atoms with a d¹⁰-configuration (Te⁶⁺) in the cationic environment of Ni²⁺.     

Li6+2x[B10Se18]Sex (x ≈ 2), ein ionenleitendes Doppelsalz

Li_6+2x[B₁₀Se₁₈]Se_x (x ≈ 2), an Ion‐conducting Double Salt Li_6+2x[B₁₀Se₁₈]Se_x (x ≈ 2) was prepared in a solid state reaction from lithium selenide, amorphous boron and selenium in evacuated carbon coated silica tubes at a temperature of 800 °C. Subsequent cooling from 600 °C to 300 °C gave amber colored crystals with the following lattice parameters: space group I2/a (at 173 K); a = 17.411(1) Å, b = 21.900(1) Å, c = 17.820(1) Å, β = 101.6(1)°. The crystal structure contains a well‐defined polymeric selenoborate network of composition ([B₁₀Se₁₆Se_4/2]^6?)_n consisting of a system of edge‐sharing [B₁₀Se₁₆Se_4/2] adamantanoid macro‐tetrahedra forming large channels in which a strongly disorderd system of partial occupied Li⁺ cations and additional disordered Se^2? anions is observed. The crystal structure of the novel selenoborate is isotypic to Li_6+2x[B₁₀S₁₈]S_x (x ≈ 2) [1]. X‐ray and ⁷Li magic‐angle spinning NMR data suggest that the site occupancies of the three crystallographically distinct lithium ions exhibit a significant temperature dependence. The lithium ion mobility has been characterized by detailed temperature dependent NMR lineshape and spin‐lattice relaxation measurements.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and metal ion complexation studies of novel diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing aromatic thiol‐derived side arms

The Mannich aminomethylation reaction of aromatic thiols has been used to produce diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing thiol‐derived side arms. Thiophenols were attached to the azacrown through N‐CH₂‐S linkages even in the presence of hydroxy or acetamido groups. Heteroaromatic thiols containing N=C‐SH (or NH‐C=S) structural fragments were attached to diaza‐18‐crown‐6 by N‐CH₂‐N linkages with the thiol becoming a thione function. X‐ray crystal structural analyses show the N‐CH₂‐S and N‐CH₂‐N linkages for some of the new macrocyclic compounds. Interactions of four of the new diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands with Na⁺, K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were evaluated by calorimetric titration at 25° in methanol. The results show that these ligands form stable complexes with many of the metal ions studied.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Behavior of a 1‐D Coordination Polymer [Ni(NIT4py)2(ip)(H2O)]n

A new coordination polymer of the formula [Ni(NIT4py)₂(ip)(H₂O)]_n(NIT4py = 2‐(4′‐pyridinyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide and ip = isophthalate dianion) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectrum, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The coordination about each Ni²⁺ ion is a distorted octahedra. Each isophthalate dianion binds two Ni²⁺ ions in monodentate‐bidentate mode, leading to a 1‐D chain. Among the chains, the coordinated water molecules and carboxylato oxygen atoms form hydrogen bonds, generating an infinite 1‐D ladder structure of a double‐chain. The magnetic study shows that the decrease of χ_MT value in the low temperature for the complex is mainly ascribed to the zero‐field splitting of the distorted octahedral Ni²⁺ ions.     

Coordination‐Induced Spin‐State Switching of an Aminyl‐Radical‐Bridged Nickel(II) Porphyrin Dimer between Doublet and Sextet States

A bis(Ni^II‐porphyrinyl)aminyl radical with meso‐C₆F₅ groups was prepared as a spin‐delocalized stable aminyl radical with a doublet spin state. Upon addition of pyridine, both Ni^II centers became hexacoordinated by accepting two axial pyridines, which triggered a spin‐state change of the Ni^II centers from diamagnetic (S=0) to paramagnetic (S=1). The resulting high‐spin Ni^II centers interact with the aminyl radical ferromagnetically to give rise to an overall sextet state (S=5/2). Importantly, this coordination‐induced spin‐state switching can be conducted in a reversible manner, in that washing of the high‐spin radical with aqueous hydrochloric acid regenerates the original doublet radical in good yield.     

Study of Integer Spin S = 1 in the Polar Magnet β-Ni(IO3)2

Polar magnetic materials exhibiting appreciable asymmetric exchange interactions can potentially host new topological states of matter such as vortex-like spin textures; however, realizations have been mostly limited to half-integer spins due to rare numbers of integer spin systems with broken spatial inversion lattice symmetries. Here, we studied the structure and magnetic properties of the S = 1 integer spin polar magnet β-Ni(IO₃)₂ (Ni²⁺, d⁸, ³F). We synthesized single crystals and bulk polycrystalline samples of β-Ni(IO₃)₂ by combining low-temperature chemistry techniques and thermal analysis and characterized its crystal structure and physical properties. Single crystal X-ray and powder X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated that β-Ni(IO₃)₂ crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric polar monoclinic structure with space group P2₁. The combination of the macroscopic electric polarization driven by the coalignment of the (IO₃)⁻ trigonal pyramids along the b axis and the S = 1 state of the Ni²⁺ cation was chosen to investigate integer spin and lattice dynamics in magnetism. The effective magnetic moment of Ni²⁺ was extracted from magnetization measurements to be 3.2(1) µ_B, confirming the S = 1 integer spin state of Ni²⁺ with some orbital contribution. β-Ni(IO₃)₂ undergoes a magnetic ordering at T = 3 K at a low magnetic field, μ₀H = 0.1 T; the phase transition, nevertheless, is suppressed at a higher field, μ₀H = 3 T. An anomaly resembling a phase transition is observed at T ≈ 2.7 K in the C_p/T vs. T plot, which is the approximate temperature of the magnetic phase transition of the material, indicating that the transition is magnetically driven. This work offers a useful route for exploring integer spin noncentrosymmetric materials, broadening the phase space of polar magnet candidates, which can harbor new topological spin physics.     

Über Sesquiselenide der Lanthanoide: Einkristalle von Ce2Se3 im C‐, Gd2Se3 im U‐ und Lu2Se3 im Z‐Typ

On Sesquiselenides of the Lanthanoids: Single Crystals of C‐type Ce₂Se₃, U‐type Gd₂Se₃, and Z‐type Lu₂Se₃ Single crystals of lanthanoid sesquiselenides (M₂Se₃; here: M = Ce, Gd, Lu) are accessible through conversion of the elements (lanthanoid and selenium) in molar ratios of 2:3 within seven days at 850 °C from evacuated silica ampoules if equimolar amounts of NaCl serve as a flux. In the case of Ce₂Se₃ (a = 897.74(6) pm) und Gd₂Se₃ (a = 872.56(5) pm) the cubic C‐type (I4¯3d, Z = 5.333) forms as dark red beads, whereas the orthorhombic Z‐type (Fddd, Z = 16) emerges for Lu₂Se₃ (a = 1125.1(1), b = 798.06(8), c = 2387.7(2) pm) as orange‐yellow bricks. Upon oxidation of monochloride hydrides (MClH_x or A_yMClH_x; M = Ce, Gd, Lu; x = 1; A = Li, Na; y = 0.5) with selenium in arc‐welded tantalum ampoules the same main products appear with C‐Ce₂Se₃ and Z‐Lu₂Se₃, even with a surplus of NaCl or LiCl as fluxing agent. In the case of Gd₂Se₃, however, black‐red needles of the orthorhombic U‐type (Pnma, Z = 4; a = 1118.2(1), b = 403.48(4); c = 1097.1(1) pm) are yielded instead of C‐Gd₂Se₃. C‐Ce₂Se₃ crystallizes in a cation‐deficient Th₃P₄‐type structure (Ce₂S₃ type) according to Ce_2.667□_0.333Se₄ (Z = 4) or with Z = 5.333 for the empirical formula Ce₂Se₃. Here, Ce³⁺ is coordinated by eight Se^2— anions trigon‐dodecahedrally. In U‐Gd₂Se₃ (U₂S₃ type) two crystallographically independent Gd³⁺ cations with coordination numbers of 7 (Gd1) and 7+1 (Gd2), respectively, are present, exhibiting mono‐ or bicapped trigonal prisms as coordination polyhedra. The crystal structure of Z‐Lu₂Se₃ (Sc₂S₃ type) shows two different Lu³⁺ cations as well, which now both reside in octahedral coordination of six Se^2— anions each.     

EPR‐spektroskopische Charakterisierung (X‐, Q‐Band) monomerer AgII‐ und AuII‐Komplexe der Thiakronenether [12]anS4, [16]anS4, [18]anS6 und [27]anS9

EPR Spectroscopic Characterization (X‐, Q‐Band) of Monomeric Ag^II‐ and Au^II‐Complexes of the Thiacrownethers [12]aneS₄, [16]aneS₄, [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ The reaction of the prepared Ag^I complexes of the thiacrownethers [12]aneS₄, [16]aneS₄, [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ with c. H₂SO₄ as well as the reaction of [Au^IIICl₄]^‐ with [18]aneS₆ and [27]aneS₉ leads to labile Ag^II‐ (4d⁹, ^{107, 109}Ag: I=1/2) and Au^II‐ (5d⁹, ¹⁹⁷Au: I=3/2) thiacrownether complexes, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ and Q‐band EPR. The EPR spectra of [Ag^II([12]anS₄)]²⁺ and [Ag^II([18]anS₆)]²⁺ were reinvestigated. According to an analysis of the spin‐density distribution only 20 ‐ 25 % is located on the Ag or Au atoms. Most of the spin‐density was found to be on the S donor atoms of the thiacrownethers. The high delocalization of the spin‐density leads certainly to a noticeable reduction of the Ag^I/Ag^II redox potential and is considered as being mainly responsible for the easy accessibility of the Ag^II compounds.     

Homoleptic Organoderivatives of High‐Valent Nickel(III)

Homoleptic perhalophenyl derivatives of divalent nickel complexes with the general formula [NBu₄]₂[Ni^II (C₆X₅)₄] [X=F ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 )] have been prepared by low‐temperature treatment of the halo‐complex precursor [NBu₄]₂[NiBr₄] with the corresponding organolithium reagent LiC₆X₅. Compounds 1 and 2 are electrochemically related by reversible one‐electron exchange processes with the corresponding organometallate(III) compounds [NBu₄][Ni^III (C₆X₅)₄] [X=F ( 3 ), Cl ( 4 )]. The potentials of the [Ni^III (C₆X₅)₄]^?/[Ni^II (C₆X₅)₄]^2? couples are +0.07 and ?0.11 V for X=F or Cl, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 have also been prepared and isolated in good yield by chemical oxidation of 1 or 2 with bromine or the amminium salt [N(C₆H₄Br‐4)₃][SbCl₆]. The [Ni^III (C₆X₅)₄]^? species have SP‐4 structures in the salts 3 and 4 , as established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. The [Ni^II (C₆F₅)₄]^2? ion in the parent compound 1 has also been found to exhibit a rather similar SP‐4 structure. According to their SP‐4 geometry, the Ni^III compounds (d⁷) behave as S=1/2 systems both at microscopic (EPR) and macroscopic levels (ac and dc magnetization measurements). The spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained from the analysis of the magnetic behavior of 3 and 4 within the framework of ligand field theory show that the unpaired electron is centered mainly on the metal atom, with >97 % estimated d contribution. Thermal decomposition of 3 and 4 proceeds with formation of the corresponding C₆X₅? C₆X₅ coupling compounds.     

A Three-dimensional Heteronuclear Polymer of [Ag2Fe（SCN）5（DMF）]n Containing Channels and One-dimensional Ag2S2-S-Ag2S2 Chains with Ag…Ag Interaction

Introduction So far, considerable attention has been paid to mag-netic interaction between two different metal ions.1-3 As a potential bridging ligand, thiocyanate can coordinate to a harder metal center with N atom and softer ones with S atom at the same time, resulting in the formation of small ferromagnetic coupling.2 On the other hand, the Fe(III) atom is a good candidate as a hard acid and Ag(I) is a good candidate as a soft acid, so that the Fe(III) centers could be expected to conn…     

Quaternäre Caesium‐Kupfer(I)‐Lanthanoid(III)‐Selenide vom Typ CsCu3M2Se5 (M = Sm,Gd — Lu)

Quaternary Cesium Copper(I) Lanthanoid(III) Selenides of the Type CsCu₃M₂Se₅ (M = Sm, Gd — Lu) By oxidation of mixtures of copper and lanthanoid metal with elemental selenium in molar ratios of 1 : 1 : 2 and in addition of CsCl quaternary cesium copper(I) lanthanoid(III) selenides with the formula CsCu₃M₂Se₅ (M = Sm, Gd — Lu) were obtained at 750 °C within a week from torch‐sealed evacuated silica tubes. An excess of CsCl as flux helps to crystallize golden yellow or red, needle‐shaped, water‐resistant single crystals. The crystal structure of CsCu₃M₂Se₅ (M = Sm, Gd — Lu) (orthorhombic, Cmcm, Z = 4; e. g. CsCu₃Sm₂Se₅: a = 417.84(3), b = 1470.91(8), c = 1764.78(9) pm and CsCu₃Lu₂Se₅: a = 407.63(3), b = 1464.86(8), c = 1707.21(9) pm, respectively) contains [MSe₆]^9— octahedra which share edges to form double chains running along [100]. Those are further connected by vertices to generate a two‐dimensional layer parallel to (010). By edge‐ and vertex‐linking of [CuSe₄]^7— tetrahedra two crystallographically different Cu⁺ cations build up two‐dimensional puckered layers parallel to (010) as well. These sheet‐like structure interconnects the equation/tex2gif-stack-3.gif{[M₂Se₅]^4—} layers to create a three‐dimensional network according to equation/tex2gif-stack-4.gif{[Cu₃M₂Se₅]^—}. Thus empty channels along [100] form, apt to take up the Cs⁺ cations. These are surrounded by eight plus one Se^2— anions in the shape of (2+1)‐fold capped trigonal prisms with Cs—Se distances between 348 and 368 pm (8×) and 437 (for M = Sm) or 440 pm (for M = Lu), respectively, for the ninth ligand.     

Über Oxocuprate. XVIII. Zur Kenntnis von Sr2CuO2Br2 mit einem Beitrag über La2NiO4

About Oxocuprates. XVIII. On Sr₂CuO₂Br₂ and a Contribution about La₂NiO₄ Sr₂CuO₂Br₂ (A) and La₂NiO₄ (B) were prepared and investigated by single crystal X-ray technique. (A) is isotypic with Sr₂CuO₂Cl₂, (B) with K₂NiF₄. Both compounds crystallize in the space group D–I4/mmm with the lattice constants (A): a = 399.1, c = 1 713.6 pm, (B): a = 387.6, c = 1 268.3 pm. A discussion about the octahedral distortion of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ respectively in respect to other isotypic compounds is given.     

Neue Kronenether‐stabilisierte Oxoniumhalogenochalkogenate: [H3O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐Krone‐6)]2[Se3Br10] und [H5O2(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐Krone‐8]2[Se3Br8]

Novel Oxonium Halogenochalcogenates Stabilized by Crown Ethers: [H₃O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] and [H₅O₂(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] Two novel complex oxonium bromoselenates(II,IV) and –(II) are reported containing [H₃O]⁺ and [H₅O₂]⁺ cations coordinated by crown ether ligands. [H₃O(dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] ( 1 ) and [H₅O₂(bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] ( 2 ) were prepared as dark red crystals from dichloromethane or acetonitrile solutions of selenium tetrabromide, the corresponding unsubstituted crown ethers, and aqueous hydrogen bromide. The products were characterized by their crystal structures and by vibrational spectra. 1 is triclinic, space group (Nr. 2) with a = 8.609(2) Å, b = 13.391(3) Å, c = 13.928(3) Å, α = 64.60(2)°, β = 76.18(2)°, γ = 87.78(2)°, V = 1404.7(5) ų, Z = 1. 2 is also triclinic, space group with a = 10.499(2) Å, b = 13.033(3) Å, c = 14.756(3) Å, α = 113.77(3)°, β = 98.17(3)°, γ = 93.55(3)°. V = 1813.2(7) ų, Z = 1. In the reaction mixture complex redox reactions take place, resulting in (partial) reduction of selenium and bromination of the crown ether molecules. In 1 the centrosymmetric trinuclear [Se₃Br₁₀]^2? consists of a central Se^IVBr₆ octahedron sharing trans edges with two square planar Se^IIBr₄ groups. The novel [Se₃Br₈]^2? in 2 is composed of three planar trans‐edge sharing Se^IIBr₄ squares in a linear arrangement. The internal structure of the oxonium‐crown ether complexes is largely determined by the steric restrictions imposed by the aromatic rings in the crown ether molecules, as compared to complexes with more flexible unsubstituted crown ether ligands.     

Two‐Dimensional Haeckelite NbS2: A Diamagnetic High‐Mobility Semiconductor with Nb4+ Ions

In all known Group 5 transition‐metal dichalcogenide monolayers (MLs), the metal centers carry a spin, and their ground‐state phases are either metallic or semiconducting with indirect band gaps. Here, on grounds of first‐principles calculations, we report that the Haeckelite polytypes 1 S ‐NbX₂ (X=S, Se, Te) are diamagnetic direct‐band‐gap semiconductors even though the Nb atoms are in the 4+ oxidation state. In contrast, 1 S ‐VX₂ MLs are antiferromagnetically coupled indirect‐band‐gap semiconductors. The 1 S phases are thermodynamically and dynamically stable but of slightly higher energy than their 1 H and 1 T ML counterparts. 1 S ‐NbX₂ MLs are excellent candidates for optoelectronic applications owing to their small band gaps (between 0.5 and 1 eV). Moreover, 1 S ‐NbS₂ shows a particularly high hole mobility of 2.68×10³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is significantly higher than that of MoS₂ and comparable to that of WSe₂.     

A Lattice‐Oxygen‐Involved Reaction Pathway to Boost Urea Oxidation

The electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) provides more economic electrons than water oxidation for various renewable energy‐related systems owing to its lower thermodynamic barriers. However, it is limited by sluggish reaction kinetics, especially by CO₂ desorption steps, masking its energetic advantage compared with water oxidation. Now, a lattice‐oxygen‐involved UOR mechanism on Ni⁴⁺ active sites is reported that has significantly faster reaction kinetics than the conventional UOR mechanisms. Combined DFT, ¹⁸O isotope‐labeling mass spectrometry, and in situ IR spectroscopy show that lattice oxygen is directly involved in transforming *CO to CO₂ and accelerating the UOR rate. The resultant Ni⁴⁺ catalyst on a glassy carbon electrode exhibits a high current density (264 mA cm^?2 at 1.6 V versus RHE), outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art catalysts, and the turnover frequency of Ni⁴⁺ active sites towards UOR is 5 times higher than that of Ni³⁺ active sites.     

Single Crystals of C–La2Se3, C–Pr2Se3, and C–Gd2Se3 with Cation‐Deficient Th3P4‐Type Structure

Ruby‐red, bead‐shaped single crystals of C‐type La₂Se₃ (a = 905.21(6) pm), Pr₂Se₃ (a = 891.17(6) pm), and Gd₂Se₃ (a = 872.56(5) pm) are obtained by oxidation of the respective rare‐earth metal (M = La, Pr and Gd) with selenium (molar ratio 2 : 3) in evacuated silica tubes at 750 °C in the presence of fluxing CsCl within seven days. Their crystal structure belongs to a cation‐deficient Th₃P₄‐type variant (cubic, I 4 3d) according to M_2.667□_0.333Se₄ (Z = 4) or M₂Se₃ (Z = 5.333) offering coordination numbers of eight (Se^2– arranged as trigonal dodecahedra) to the M³⁺ cations. In spite of the high Cs⁺ activity in molten CsCl, no cesium incorporation into the M_5.333□_0.667Se₈‐frame structure (e. g. as CsM₅Se₈ with Z = 2) could be achieved, judged from both results of electron beam X‐ray microanalyses and refined occupation factors of the metal position very close to x = 8/9 for M_3xSe₄.     

Crystal Structure of ϵ‐Ag7+xMg26–x – A Binary Alloy Phase of the Mackay Cluster Type

The binary alloy phase ϵ‐Ag_7+xMg_26–x with x ≈ 1 and small amounts of the β′‐AgMg phase crystallize by annealing of Ag–Mg alloys with starting compositions between 24–28 At‐% Ag at 390 to 420 °C. A model structure for the ϵ‐phase consisting of a fcc packing of Mackay clusters was derived from the known structure of the ϵ′‐Ag₁₇Mg₅₄ phase. Crystals of the ϵ‐phase were obtained by direct melting of the elements and annealing. The examination of a single crystal yielded a face‐centered cubic unit cell, space group Fm3 with a = 1761.2(5) pm. The refinement was started with the parameters of the model: wR2(all) = 0.0925 for 1093 symmetrically independent reflections. A refinement of the occupancy parameters indicated a partial replacement of silver for magnesium at two metal atom sites, resulting in the final composition ϵ‐Ag_7+xMg_26–x with x = 0.96(2). There are 264 atoms in the unit cell and the calculated density is 3.568 gcm^–3. The topology of the model was confirmed. Mackay icosahedra are located at the lattice points of a face‐centered cubic lattice. Differences between model and refined structure and their effects on the powder patterns are discussed. The new binary structure type of ϵ‐Ag_7+xMg_26–x can be described in terms of the I3‐cluster concept.     

Nickel Oxidation State and Magnetic Properties of Hole-Doped and Reduced Nd2−xSrxNiOyCompounds

The NiK-edge XANES of reduced Nd_2−xSr_xNiO₄samples shows an increase of Ni³⁺content with Sr³⁺concentration. The appearance of mixed valence Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺produces a change in the magnetic properties of the system. The Nd³⁺sublattice orders antiferromagnetically atT_N∼13–20 K forx=0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, due to the interactions of Ni–Nd sublattices. Forx=0.8 this order begins to disappear because of the effect of the low spin state Ni³⁺created at the NiO₄planes. Additionally, the reduced family Nd_2−xSr_xNiO_y(y<4) shows the disappearance of Ni³⁺, the decrease of Ni²⁺with respect to the nonreduced form, and the appearance of Ni⁺. All the compounds of the reduced family show AF order at low temperature.     

EPR Spectroscopy of 4, 4′‐Bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine‐1, 2‐dithiolatocuprates(II) in Host Lattices with Different Coordination Geometries

A series of new heteroleptic MN₂S₂ transition metal complexes with M = Cu²⁺ for EPR measurements and as diamagnetic hosts Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pd²⁺ were synthesized and characterized. The ligands are N₂ = 4, 4′‐bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine (tBu₂bpy) and S₂ =1, 2‐dithiooxalate, (dto), 1, 2‐dithiosquarate, (dtsq), maleonitrile‐1, 2‐dithiolate, or 1, 2‐dicyanoethene‐1, 2‐dithiolate, (mnt). The Cu^II complexes were studied by EPR in solution and as powders, diamagnetically diluted in the isostructural planar [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] or[Pd^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] as well as in tetrahedrally coordinated[Zn^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] host structures to put steric stress on the coordination geometry of the central CuN₂S₂ unit. The spin density contributions for different geometries calculated from experimental parameters are compared with the electronic situation in the frontier orbital, namely in the semi‐occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the copper complex, derived from quantum chemical calculations on different levels (EHT and DFT). One of the hosts, [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], is characterized by X‐ray structure analysis to prove the coordination geometry. The complex crystallizes in a square‐planar coordination mode in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with Z = 4 and the unit cell parameters a = 10.4508(10) Å, b = 18.266(2) Å, c = 12.6566(12) Å, β = 112.095(7)°. Oxidation and reductions potentials of one of the host complexes, [Ni(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], were obtained by cyclovoltammetric measurements.