REI5O14 (RE=Y and Gd): Promising SHG Materials Featuring the Semicircle‐Shaped I5O143− Polyiodate Anion

The first examples of rare‐earth polyiodates, namely, REI₅O₁₄ (RE=Y and Gd), have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions of RE₂O₃ and H₅IO₆ in H₃PO₄ (≥85 wt % in H₂O), with extremely high yields (>95 %). They crystalize in the polar space group Cm and feature a brand‐new semicircle‐shaped [I₅O₁₄]^3? pentameric polyiodate anion composed of two IO₃ and three IO₄ polyhedra. Remarkably, both compounds exhibit very large second‐harmonic generation (SHG) signals (14× and 15×KH₂PO₄ (KDP) upon 1064 nm laser radiation for Y and Gd compounds, respectively). Our work shows that the hydrothermal reaction in a phosphoric acid medium facilitates the formation of rare‐earth polyiodates.     

Explorations of New SHG Materials in Mercury Iodate Sulfate System**

Through systematic experiments, two novel mercury iodate sulfates, namely, Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄)(H₂O) and Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄) were obtained. They crystallize in monoclinic space group C2 and C2/c, respectively. Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄)(H₂O) exhibits the [Hg(IO₃)]⁺ polar cationic layer inherited from Hg(IO₃)₂ and the three-dimensional (3D) framework inherited from HgSO₄. This enables Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄)(H₂O) to generate a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) response of 6 times that of KH₂PO₄ (KDP). The structure of Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄) is very similar to that of Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄)(H₂O), and they can be transformed into each other. Hg₂(IO₃)₂(SO₄)(H₂O) shows a large optical band gap of 3.98 eV and a high dehydration temperature of 250 °C. This study indicates that by reasonable design, the introduction of multiple functional groups into a compound may combine their advantages to achieve good overall optical performance.     

LiMII(IO3)3 (MII=Zn and Cd): Two Promising Nonlinear Optical Crystals Derived from a Tunable Structure Model of α‐LiIO3

Excellent nonlinear optical materials simultaneously meet the requirements of large SHG response, phase‐matching capability, wide transparency windows, considerable energy band‐gap, good thermal stability and structure stability. Herein, two new promising nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals LiM^II(IO₃)₃ (M^II=Zn and Cd) are rationally designed by the aliovalent substitution strategy from the commercialized α‐LiIO₃ with the perfect parallel alignment of IO₃ groups. Compared with parent α‐LiIO₃ and related A^I₂M^IV(IO₃)₆, the title compounds exhibit more stable covalent 3D structure, and overcome the racemic twinning problem of A^I₂M^IV(IO₃)₆. More importantly, both compounds inherit NLO‐favorable structure merits of α‐LiIO₃ and show larger SHG response (≈14× and ≈12×KDP), shorter absorption edge (294 and 297 nm) with wider energy band‐gap (4.21 and 4.18 eV), good thermal stability (460 and 430 °C), phase‐matching behaviors, wider optical transparency window and good structure stability, achieving an excellent balance of NLO properties.     

K2Au(IO3)5 and β‐KAu(IO3)4: Polar Materials with Strong SHG Responses Originating from Synergistic Effect of AuO4 and IO3 Units

Two new polar potassium gold iodates, namely, K₂Au(IO₃)₅ (Cmc2₁) and β‐KAu(IO₃)₄ (C2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both compounds feature zero‐dimensional polar [Au(IO₃)₄]^? units composed of an AuO₄ square‐planar unit coordinated by four IO₃^? ions in a monodentate fashion. In β‐KAu(IO₃)₄, isolated [Au(IO₃)₄]^? ions are separated by K⁺ ions, whereas in K₂Au(IO₃)₅, isolated [Au(IO₃)₄]^? ions and non‐coordinated IO₃^? units are separated by K⁺ ions. Both compounds are thermally stable up to 400 °C and exhibit high transmittance in the NIR region (λ=800–2500 nm) with measured optical band gaps of 2.65 eV for K₂Au(IO₃)₅ and 2.75 eV for β‐KAu(IO₃)₄. Powder second‐harmonic generation measurements by using λ=2.05 μm laser radiation indicate that K₂Au(IO₃)₅ and β‐KAu(IO₃)₄ are both phase‐matchable materials with strong SHG responses of approximately 1.0 and 1.3 times that of KTiOPO₄, respectively. Theoretical calculations based on DFT methods confirm that such strong SHG responses originate from a synergistic effect of the AuO₄ and IO₃ units.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction and Determination of Iodate and Periodate at Silicomolybdate‐Incorporated‐Glutaraldehyde‐ Cross‐Linked Poly‐L‐lysine Film Electrodes

The present work describes reduction of iodate (IO₃^?), and periodate (IO₄^?) at silicomolybdate‐doped‐glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL‐GA‐SiMo) film coated glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M H₂SO₄. In our previous study, we were able to prepare the PLL‐GA‐SiMo film modified electrode by means of electrostatically trapping SiMo₁₂O₄₀^4? mediator in the cationic film of PLL‐GA, and the voltammetric investigation in pure supporting indicated that the charge transport through the film was fast. Here, the electrocatalytic activity of PLL‐GA‐SiMo film electrode towards iodate and periodate was tested and subsequently used for analytical determination of these analytes by amperometry. The two electron reduced species of SiMo₁₂O₄₀^4? anion was responsible for the electrocatalytic reduction of IO₃^? at PLL‐GA‐SiMo film electrode while two and six electron reduced species were showed electrocatalytic activity towards IO₄^? reduction. Under optimized experimental conditions of amperometry, the linear concentration range and sensitivity are 2.5×10^?6 to 1.1×10^?2 M and 18.47 μA mM^?1 for iodate, and 5×10^?6 to 1.43×10^?4 M and 1014.7 μA mM^?1 for periodate, respectively.     

Organically‐Templated Zinc and Thorium Sulfates with Chain and Layered Structures

Amine‐templated zinc sulfates of the formulae, [Zn(SO₄)(H₂O)₂(C₁₀N₂H₈)] ( I ) and [C₃N₂H₁₂][Zn(SO₄)] ( II ) both with linear structures have been prepared under hydro/solvothermal conditions. Of these, I has the chain structure formed by ZnO₄N₂octahedra and SO₄ tetrahedra, while II comprises ladders formed by corner‐sharing four‐membered rings. Amine‐templated thorium sulfates of the formula [HN(CH₂)₆NH]₂[Th₂(SO₄)₆(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, ( III ) and [H₂N(CH₂)₄NH₂][Th₃(SO₄)₇(H₂O)₄]·5H₂O ( IV ) are also obtained under hydrothermal conditions. III has a sheet structure consisting of cages whereas IV has a two‐dimensional structure derived from the connectivity of ladders.     

A Facile Route to Nonlinear Optical Materials: Three‐Site Aliovalent Substitution Involving One Cation and Two Anions

Two mixed‐metal gallium iodate fluorides, namely, α‐ and β‐Ba₂[GaF₄(IO₃)₂](IO₃) ( 1 and 2 ), have been designed by the aliovalent substitutions of α‐ and β‐Ba₂[VO₂F₂(IO₃)₂](IO₃) ( 3 and 4 ) involving one cationic and two anionic sites. Both 1 and 2 display large second‐harmonic generation responses (≈6×KH₂PO₄ (KDP)), large energy band gaps (4.61 and 4.35 eV), wide transmittance ranges (≈0.27–12.5 μm), and high relevant laser‐induced damage thresholds (29.7× and 28.3×AgGaS₂, respectively), which indicates that 1 and 2 are potential second‐order nonlinear optical materials in the ultraviolet to mid‐infrared. Our studies propose that three‐site aliovalent substitution is a facile route for the discovery of good NLO materials.     

Giant Hollow Heterometallic Polyoxoniobates with Sodalite‐Type Lanthanide–Tungsten–Oxide Cages: Discrete Nanoclusters and Extended Frameworks

The first series of niobium–tungsten–lanthanide (Nb‐W‐Ln) heterometallic polyoxometalates {Ln₁₂W₁₂O₃₆(H₂O)₂₄(Nb₆O₁₉)₁₂} (Ln=Y, La, Sm, Eu, Yb) have been obtained, which are comprised of giant cluster‐in‐cluster‐like ({Ln₁₂W₁₂}‐in‐{Nb₇₂}) structures built from 12 hexaniobate {Nb₆O₁₉} clusters gathered together by a rare 24‐nuclearity sodalite‐type heterometal–oxide cage {Ln₁₂W₁₂O₃₆(H₂O)₂₄}. The Nb‐W‐Ln clusters present the largest multi‐metal polyoxoniobates and a series of rare high‐nuclearity 4d‐5d‐4f multicomponent clusters. Furthermore, the giant Nb‐W‐Ln clusters may be isolated as discrete inorganic alkali salts and can be used as building blocks to form high‐dimensional inorganic–organic hybrid frameworks.     

{Nb288O768(OH)48(CO3)12}: A Macromolecular Polyoxometalate with Close to 300 Niobium Atoms

A protein‐sized (ca. 4.2×4.2×3.6 nm³) non‐biologically derived molecule {Nb₂₈₈O₇₆₈(OH)₄₈(CO₃)₁₂} ( Nb₂₈₈ ) containing up to 288 niobium atoms has been obtained, which is by far the largest and the highest nuclearity polyoxoniobate (PONb). Particularly, in terms of metal nuclearity number, Nb₂₈₈ is the second largest cluster so far reported in classic polyoxometalate chemistry (V, Mo, W, Nb, and Ta). Nb₂₈₈ can be described as a giant windmill‐like cluster aggregate of six nanoscale high‐nuclearity PONb units {Nb₄₇O₁₂₈(OH)₆(CO₃)₂} ( Nb₄₇ ) joined together by six additional Nb ions. Interestingly, the 47‐nuclearity Nb₄₇ units generated in situ can be isolated and bridged by copper complexes to form an inorganic–organic hybrid three‐dimensional PONb framework, which exhibits effective catalytic activity for hydrolyzing nerve agent simulant of dimethyl methylphosphonate. The unique Nb₄₇ cluster also provides a new type of topology to very limited family of Nb‐O clusters.     

Lowervalent hexaniobate cluster in aqueous HCl: an equilibrium redox study

Summary It has been established⁽¹⁾ that hydrated niobium(V) oxide is, in fact, hexameric isopolyniobic acid, H₈Nb₆O₁₉·xH₂O, containing a protonated oxoniobate(V) cluster. It has also been shown^(2,3) that the stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric oxides as well as niobates, soluble or insoluble, formed under various conditions, are really derivatives of H₈Nb₆O₁₉. The amphoteric H₈Nb₆O₁₉ is soluble in conc. H₂SO₄ maintaining its hexanuclear structure⁽⁴⁾ and exists in the form of a SO₃ adduct of H₈Nb₆O₁₉. In the latest communication⁽⁵⁾ the hexameric cluster has been shown to exist even in the subnormal niobium oxidation states. The aqueous H₂SO₄ solution of niobium(V) when reduced with zinc forms various dark red-brown crystalline salts of the anion [Nb₆O₇(O·SO₃)₁₂]^16–. This cluster anion has niobium in an average nonintegral oxidation state of +3.67 and the Nb₆O₁₉ unit is coordinated to a maximum of twelve SO₃ groups. The present communication describes the potentiometric investigation of the reduced oxoniobate cluster in aqueous HCl. There are reports that strongly acidic niobium(V) solutions are reduced either electrolytically or by metals^(6–9). These workers proposed that niobium(III) was formed in solution although no detailed investigation on the species was made.     

(NH4)Bi2(IO3)2F5: An Unusual Ammonium‐Containing Metal Iodate Fluoride Showing Strong Second Harmonic Generation Response and Thermochromic Behavior

An ammonium‐containing metal iodate fluoride compound, (NH₄)Bi₂(IO₃)₂F₅, featuring a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiO₂F₅]^6? and [BiO₄F₄]^9? polyhedra, as well as [IO₃]^? groups, was successfully synthesized. The well‐ordered alignment of these SHG‐active units leads to an extraordinary strong SHG response of 9.2 times that of KDP. Moreover, this compound possesses a large birefringence (Δn=0.0690 at 589.3 nm), a wide energy band gap (E_g=3.88 eV), and a high laser damage threshold (LDT; 40.2×AgGaS₂). In particular, thermochromic behavior was observed for the first time in this type of compound. Such multifunctional crystals will expand the application of nonlinear optical materials.     

Acid‐Stable Peroxoniobophosphate Clusters To Make Patterned Films

Two new peroxoniobophosphate clusters were isolated as tetramethylammonium (TMA) salts having the stoichiometries: TMA₅[HNb₄P₂O₁₄(O₂)₄]?9 H₂O and TMA₃[H₇Nb₆P₄O₂₄(O₂)₆]?7 H₂O. The former is stable over the pH range: 3<pH<12 and the latter is stable only below pH 3. These two molecules interconvert as a function of solution pH. The [H₇Nb₆P₄O₂₄(O₂)₆]^3? cluster can be used to fabricate patterned niobium phosphate films by electron‐beam lithography after solution deposition.     

Amine‐Templated One‐Dimensional Metal Sulfates Including a Mixed‐Valent Fe Compound with a Half‐Kagome Structure

Organically templated metal sulfates are relatively new. Six amine‐templated transition‐metal sulfates with different types of chain structures, including a novel iron sulfate with a chain structure corresponding to one half of the kagome structure, were synthesized by hydro/solvothermal methods. Amongst the one‐dimensional metal sulfates, [C₁₀N₂H₁₀][Zn(SO₄)Cl₂] ( 1 ) is the simplest, being formed by corner‐linked ZnO₂Cl₂ and SO₄ tetrahedra. [C₆N₂H₁₈][Mn(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 2 ) and [C₂N₂H₁₀][Ni(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 3 ) have ladder structures comprising four‐membered rings formed by SO₄ tetrahedra and metal–oxygen octahedra, just as in the mineral kröhnkite. [C₄N₂H₁₂][V^III(OH)(SO₄)₂]?H₂O ( 4 ) and [C₄N₂H₁₂][VF₃(SO₄)] ( 5 ) exhibit chain topologies of the minerals tancoite and butlerite, respectively. The structure of [C₄N₂H₁₂][H₃O][Fe^IIIFe^II F₆(SO₄)] ( 6 ) is noteworthy in that it corresponds to half of the hexagonal kagome structure. It exhibits ferrimagnetic properties at low temperatures and the absence of frustration, unlike the mixed‐valent iron sulfate with the full kagome structure.     

New Structure Type among Octahydrated Rare‐Earth Sulfates, β‐Ce2(SO4)3·8H2O,and a new Ce2(SO4)3·4H2O Polymorph

Syntheses, crystal structures and thermal behavior of two new hydrated cerium(III) sulfates are reported, Ce₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O ( I ) and β‐Ce₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O ( II ), both forming three‐dimensional networks. Compound I crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n. There are two non‐equivalent cerium atoms in the structure of I , one nine‐ and one ten‐fold coordinated to oxygen atoms. The cerium polyhedra are edge sharing, forming helically propagating chains, held together by sulfate groups. The structure is compact, all the sulfate groups are edge‐sharing with cerium polyhedra and one third of the oxygen atoms, belonging to sulfate groups, are in the S–Oμ₃–Ce₂ bonding mode. Compound II constitutes a new structure type among the octahydrated rare‐earth sulfates which belongs to the space group Pn. Each cerium atom is in contact with nine oxygen atoms, these belong to four water molecules, three corner sharing and one edge sharing sulfate groups. The crystal structure is built up by layers of [Ce(H₂O)₄(SO₄)]_nⁿ⁺ held together by doubly edge sharing sulfate groups. The dehydration of II is a three step process, forming Ce₂(SO₄)₃·5H₂O, Ce₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O and Ce₂(SO₄)₃, respectively. During the oxidative decomposition of the anhydrous form, Ce₂(SO₄)₃, into the final product CeO₂, small amount of CeO(SO₄) as an intermediate species was detected.     

New thallium iodates—Synthesis, characterization, and calculations of Tl(IO3)3 and Tl4(IO3)6, [Tl3Tl(IO3)6]

Two new thallium iodates have been synthesized, Tl(IO₃)₃ and Tl₄(IO₃)₆ [Tl⁺₃Tl³⁺(IO₃)₆], and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both materials were synthesized as phase-pure compounds through hydrothermal techniques using Tl₂CO₃ and HIO₃ as reagents. The materials crystallize in space groups R-3 (Tl(IO₃)₃) and P-1 (Tl₄(IO₃)₆). Although lone-pairs are observed for both I⁵⁺ and Tl⁺, electronic structure calculations indicate the lone-pair on I⁵⁺ is stereo-active, whereas the lone-pair on Tl⁺ is inert.     

Beiträge zur Untersuchung anorganischer nichtstöchiometrischer Verbindungen. XIV. Oxydationsprodukte von orthorhombischem Nb12O29 Elektronenoptische Untersuchung

Contributions to the Investigation of Inorganic Non-stoichiometric Compounds. XIV. Oxidation Products of Orthorhombic Nb₁₂O₂₉, Electron Optical Investigation An electron optical investigation shows that the orthorhombic starting material Nb₁₂O₂₉(BII) is well ordered. The oxidation products Nb₂O₅(Ox1BII) and Nb₂O₅(Ox2BII) are different from each other in structures as well as in their reactions. Nb₂O₅(Ox1BII) is unstable in the electron beam and differs from BII by characteristic point-defects. The radiation load can lead to the reduction to BII or to a transition into a defect structure with R-type-tunnels. The not well ordered structure of Nb₂O₅(Ox2BII) is stable in the electron beam. Characteristic is the sequence of [2×5] and [3×4] blocks, the latter in two different orientations. The observed composition O/Nb = 2.500 can be described by the present structural modell assuming vacant niobium tetrahedral sites. The large structural differences between the oxidation products of the orthorhombic and the monoclinic Nb₁₂O₂₉ are remarkable.     

Enhanced third‐order nonlinear optical properties determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique: bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)cobalt(II)]

π‐Conjugated organic materials exhibit high and tunable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and fast response times. 4′‐Phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (PTP) is an important N‐heterocyclic ligand involving π‐conjugated systems, however, studies concerning the third‐order NLO properties of terpyridine transition metal complexes are limited. The title binuclear terpyridine Co^II complex, bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)‐κ³O,O′:O′′;κ³O′′:O,O′‐bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)cobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₂₁H₁₅N₃)₂], (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In the crystal structure, each Co^II cation is surrounded by three N atoms of a PTP ligand and three O atoms, two from a bidentate and one from a symmetry‐related monodentate 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate (ODA²⁻) ligand, completing a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Neighbouring [Co(PTP)]²⁺ units are bridged by ODA²⁻ ligands to form a ring‐like structure. The third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of (1) and PTP were determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique. The title compound shows a strong third‐order NLO saturable absorption (SA), while PTP exhibits a third‐order NLO reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The absorptive coefficient β of (1) is −37.3 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹, which is larger than that (8.96 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹) of PTP. The third‐order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ values are calculated as 6.01 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for (1) and 1.44 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for PTP.     

Organic‐inorganic Hybrid Lanthanide‐Silver Heterometallic Coordination Frameworks Constructed from Oxalate and Sulfate Anion: Syntheses,Structures, and Photoluminescent Properties

The first four examples of organic‐inorganic hybrid lanthanide‐silver heterometallic frameworks, namely, [AgLn(μ₅‐C₂O₄)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂] [Ln = Eu ( 1 ) and Sm ( 2 )] and [AgLn(μ₄‐C₂O₄)_0.5(μ₆‐C₂O₄)_0.5(SO₄)(H₂O)] [Ln = Tb ( 3 ) and Dy ( 4 )] based on oxalate and sulfate anions were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of lanthanide oxide, silver nitrate, oxalic acid and sulfuric acid. All structures contain ladder‐like inorganic lanthanide sulfato chains, which are further connected together through silver atoms by oxalate anions with different coordination behavior (μ₅‐C₂O₄: 1 and 2 , μ₆‐C₂O₄ mixed μ₄‐C₂O₄: 3 and 4 ) to generate two types of 3D networks. The luminescent properties of these compounds were also studied.     

Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen neuer chalkogenido‐verbrückter Niob‐Kupfer‐Cluster

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Novel Chalcogenido‐bridged Niobium Copper Clusters In the presence of tertiary phosphines, the reaction of NbCl₅ and Copper(I) salts with Se(SiMe₃)₂ (E = S, Se) affords the new chalcogenido‐bridged niobium‐copper cluster compounds ( 1 ) and [NbCu₄Se₄Cl (PPh₃)₄] ( 2 ). Using E(R)SiMe₃ (E = S, Se, R = Ph, ⁿPr) instead of the bisilylated selenium species leads to the compounds [NbCu₂(SPh)₆(PMe₃)₂] ( 3 ), [NbCu₂(SPh)₆(PⁿPr₃)₂] ( 4 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(PMe₃)₂] ( 5 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(PⁿPr₃)₂] ( 6 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(PⁱPr₃)₂] ( 7 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(P^tBu₃)₂] ( 8 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(PⁱPr₂Me)₂] ( 9 ), [NbCu₂(SePh)₆(PPhEt₂)₂] ( 10 ), [Nb₂Cu₂(SⁿPr)₈(PⁿPr₃)₂Cl₂] ( 11 ) and [Nb₂Cu₆(SⁿPr)₁₂(PⁱPr₃)₂Cl₄]·2 CH₃CN ( 12 ·2 CH₃CN). By reacting Cu^I salts and NbCl₅ with the monosilylated selenides Se(^tBu)SiMe₃ and Se(ⁱPr)SiMe₃ which have a weak Se–C bond the products [Nb₂Cu₆Se₆(PⁱPr₃)₆Cl₄] ( 13 ), [Nb₂Cu₄Se₂(SeⁱPr)₆(PⁿPr₃)₄Cl₂] ( 14 ) and [Nb₂Cu₆Se₂(SeⁱPr)₁₀(PEt₂Me)₂Cl₂]·DME ( 15 ) are formed which contain selenide as well as alkylselenolate ligands. The molecular structures of all of these new compounds were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements.