Electrocatalysis and redox behavior of Pt2+ ion in CeO2 and Ce0.85Ti0.15O2: XPS evidence of participation of lattice oxygen for high activity

Electronic states of CeO₂, Ce_1????em>x Pt _x O_2????em>δ , and Ce_{1????em>x????em>y} Ti _y Pt _x O_2????em>δ electrodes have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as a function of applied potential for oxygen evolution and formic acid and methanol oxidation. Ionically dispersed platinum in Ce_1????em>x Pt _x O_2????em>δ and Ce_{1????em>x????em>y} Ti _y Pt _x O_2????em>δ is active toward these reactions compared with CeO₂ alone. Higher electrocatalytic activity of Pt²⁺ ions in CeO₂ and Ce_1????em>x Ti _x O₂ compared with the same amount of Pt⁰ in Pt/C is attributed to Pt²⁺ ion interaction with CeO₂ and Ce_1????em>x Ti _x O₂ to activate the lattice oxygen of the support oxide. Utilization of this activated lattice oxygen has been demonstrated in terms of high oxygen evolution in acid medium with these catalysts. Further, ionic platinum in CeO₂ and Ce_1????em>x Ti _x O₂ does not suffer from CO poisoning effect unlike Pt⁰ in Pt/C due to participation of activated lattice oxygen which oxidizes the intermediate CO to CO₂. Hence, higher activity is observed toward formic acid and methanol oxidation compared with same amount of Pt metal in Pt/C.     

Copolymerization of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate and styrene in the presence of stannic chloride

Continuous variation method in UV revealed that methyl N-acetylaminoacrylate (MNA) and SnCl₄ formed the 1:1 complex. The copolymerization of MNA with styrene in tetrahydrofuran was carried out at 50 °C in the presence of SnCl₄. The resulting monomer reactivity ratios decreased with an increasing concentration of SnCl₄ added. This finding suggests that SnCl₄ participates in the propagation step of the copolymerization. Therefore, the copolymerization was analyzed by assuming terpolymerization of free MNA (M₁), complexed MNA (M₂), and styrene (M₃). The absolute copolymerization parameters were obtained as follows: k₁₁/k₁₂=0.165, k₁₁/k₁₃=3.04, k₂₂/k₂₁=0.32, k₂₂/k₂₃=0.103, k₃₃/k₃₁=0.058, k₃₃/k₃₂=0.001, Q₁=6.03, e₁=0.52, Q₂=88.57, and e₂=2.23. The complexed MNA is more reactive to polymer radicals with free MNA and styrene as the terminal unit than the free MNA. Very small values of k₂₂/k₂₃ and k₃₃/k₃₂ suggests that the copolymerization of the complexed MNA and styrene proceeds alternatingly.     

Glycolate Ti1 − x Fe x (OCH2CH2O)2 − x/2 as a precursor for the preparation of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti1 − x Fe x O2 − 2x/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) solid solutions Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} (0 < x ≤ 0.1) with the structure of anatase were prepared by heating the glycolate Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x (OCH₂CH₂O)_{2 ? x/2} in an atmosphere of air at a temperature of >450°C. The conditions of formation and the properties of the new glycolate Ti₃Fe₂(OCH₂CH₂O)₉ were described. It was found that the synthesized Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{2 ? 2x/2} solid solutions exhibit photocatalytic activity in the reaction of hydroquinone oxidation in an aqueous solution on irradiation with UV light. A correlation between the rate of oxidation of hydroquinone and the concentration of iron in the catalyst was established. A procedure for the preparation of titanium dioxide with the structure of anatase doped with iron and carbon (Ti_{1 ? x} Fe _x O_{(2 ? x/2) ? yCy)} and also composites on its basis, which contain an excess amount of carbon, was proposed.     

Magnetic properties of La0.5−xLnxSr0.5MnO3 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Gd and Y)

Magnetic and electron transport properties of four series of manganates of the composition La_0.5−xLn_xSr_0.5MnO₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd, Gd and Y) have been investigated to examine how the ferromagnetic metallic nature of the parent La compound changes over to antiferromagnetic insulating behavior, with change in Ln and x due to the associated changes in the A-site cation radius as well as the size disorder. When Ln=Pr and Nd, there is a transition from the tetragonal I4/mcm structure to the orthorhombic Immm and Imma structures at x=0.2 and 0.35, respectively. There is a gradual evolution of the properties from those of La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ to those of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ or Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ with increase in x. Thus, when x>0.2 and >0.35, respectively, the Pr- and Nd-substituted manganates show ferromagnetic transitions followed by antiferromagnetic transitions at low temperatures, with the ferromagnetic T_C decreasing with increasing x. The Gd and Y series of compounds are all orthorhombic and show a decrease in T_C with the increase in x, the ferromagnetism disappearing at high x. At a value of x corresponding to the A-site cation radius of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃, the Gd and Y series of compounds exhibit ferromagnetism in the 250-300 K region and undergo an antiferromagnetic transition on cooling. The T_C−T_N gap is sensitive to the disorder arising from the size mismatch.     

Structure Study of Bi2.5Na0.5Ta2O9 and Bi2.5Nam−1.5NbmO3m+3 (m=2-4) by Neutron Powder Diffraction and Electron Microscopy

The crystal structures of Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ and Bi_2.5Na_m-1.5Nb_mO_3m+3 (m=3,4) have been investigated by the Rietveld analysis of their neutron powder diffraction patterns (λ=1.470 Å). These compounds belong to the Aurivillius phase family and are built up by (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ fluorite layers and (A_m-1B_mO_3m+1)^2- (m=2-4) pseudo-perovskite slabs. Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ (m=2) and Bi_2.5Na_2.5Nb₄O₁₅ (m=4) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group A2₁am, Z=4, with lattice constants of a=5.4763(4), b=5.4478(4), c=24.9710 (15) and a=5.5095(5), b=5.4783(5), c=40.553(3) Å, respectively. Bi_2.5Na_1.5Nb₃O₁₂ (m=3) has been refined in the orthorhombic space group B2cb, Z=4, with the unit-cell parameters a=5.5024(7), b=5.4622(7), and c=32.735(4) Å. In comparison with its isostructural Nb analogue, the structure of Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ is less distorted and bond valence sum calculations indicate that the Ta-O bonds are somewhat stronger than the Nb-O bonds. The cell parameters a and b increase with increasing m for the compounds Bi_2.5Na_m-1.5Nb_mO_3m+3 (m=2-4), causing a greater strain in the structure. Electron microscopy studies verify that the intergrowth of mixed perovskite layers, caused by stacking faults, also increases with increasing m.     

Structure and magnetic properties of ScFe6Ga6-type RCo5Ga7 (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er)

The structure and magnetic properties of the RCo₅Ga₇ (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) compounds with the ScFe₆Ga₆-type structure have been studied. The stability of RCo₅Ga₇ is closely related with the ratio of the metal radii R_RE/R_(Co,Ga). With R_RE/R_(Co,Ga)?1.36, the compounds can be stabilized in the ScFe₆Ga₆-type structure. The lattice of RCo₅Ga₇ shrinks as the atomic order of R increases, and it is consistent with the lanthanide contraction. The structure analysis based on X-ray diffraction patterns reveals that in the orthorhombic RCo₅Ga₇ (Immm), R occupies the 2a site, and Co enters into the 8k and the 4h sites, and Ga is at the 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h and 8k sites. The interatomic distances and the coordination numbers of RCo₅Ga₇ are provided from the refinement results. The short interatomic distance (less than 2.480 Å) between the Co ions results in the negative magnetic interaction, which does not favor ferromagnetic ordering. The magnetic moment of YCo₅Ga₇ is absent, and RCo₅Ga₇ (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) may have long-range magnetic ordering with the paramagnetic Curie temperature lower than 5 K.     

Mechanism of atomization at constant temperature in capacitive discharge graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

At constant temperature (isothermal) maintained throughout in the capacitive discharge technique, the measured absorbance at any time t due to concentration of analyte atoms can be given by: absorbance = p[A]₀{k₁/(k₁?k₂)}[exp(?k₂t)-exp(?k₁t)], where p is a function of the oscillator strength (a constant) and the efficiency with which the analyte atoms are produced, [A]₀ is the initial concentration of the analyte atoms, k₁ and k₂ are first-order rate constants for formation and decay of analyte atoms, respectively. This technique yields k₁?k₂ and k₁t?k₂t; and so the above equation reduces to: absorbance ?p[A]₀, resulting in large enhancement in sensitivity. In the case of lead, the immediate precursor of the gaseous lead monomer is the gaseous lead dimer, which is partly lost by diffusion of the lead dimer with a first-order rate constant, k₃. The kinetic parameters k₁, k₂ and k₃ have been evaluated, and the values of k₁ at different temperatures used to draw the Arrhenius plots, from which activation energies of the rate-determining steps have been determined. The activation energies have been used to elucidate atomization mechanisms by extensive correlation of the experimental energy values with the literature values.     

Structure and magnetic order in the series BixRE1−xFe0.5Mn0.5O3 (RE=La,Nd)

The influence of Bi³⁺ on the structural and magnetic properties of the rare-earth-containing perovskites REFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ (RE=La,Nd) was studied, and the limit of bismuth substitution was determined to be x≤0.5 in Bi_xRE_1−xFe_0.5Mn_0.5O_3+δ (RE=La,Nd) at ambient pressure. Crystal structures in both La and Nd series were determined to be GdFeO₃-type Pnma with the exception of the Bi_0.3La_0.7Fe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ sample, which is monoclinic I2/a in the a⁻b⁻b⁻ tilt scheme. The samples undergo a transition to G-type antiferromagnetic order along with a weak ferromagnetic component, mixed with cluster-glass type behavior. The substitution of bismuth into the lattice results in a drop in T_N relative to the lanthanide end-members. Long range ordering temperatures T_N in the range 240-255 K were observed, with a significantly lower ordered magnetic moment in the case of lanthanum (M∼1.7-1.9 μ_B) than in the case of neodymium (M∼2.1 μ_B).     

Phase diagram and metal distribution of the (CrxTi1−x)3Se4 system (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) with the Cr3S4-type structure

The phase diagram and metal distribution of the (Cr_xTi_1?x)₃Se₄ system were studied by X-ray, neutron diffraction, and DTA measurements. The metal distribution of M′M₂X₄ with the Cr₃S₄-type structure, which was estimated from the composition dependence of lattice parameters in the solid solution (M′_xM_1?x)₃X₄ system, was in good agreement with results from other measurements such as neutron diffraction and Mössbauer effect.     

Synthesis and solution properties of sulfate-type hybrid surfactants with a benzene ring

Nine novel sulfate-type hybrid surfactants, C_mF_2m+1C₆H₄CH(OSO₃Na)C_nH_2n+1 (FmPHnOS: m=4, 6, 8; n=3, 5, 7; C₆H₄: p-phenylene), with a benzene ring in their molecules were synthesized. Alkanoyl chlorides were allowed to react with iodobenzene in the presence of aluminum chloride to give the corresponding aromatic ketones. The reaction of the ketones with perfluoroalkyl iodides yielded 1-[4-(perfluoroalkyl)phenyl]-1-alkanones as intermediates. The intermediates were allowed to react with methanol in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of sodium borohydride to yield 1-[4-(perfluoroalkyl)phenyl]-1-alkanols. The desired hybrid surfactants were obtained by the reaction of 1-[4-(perfluoroalkyl)phenyl-1-alkanols with sulfur trioxide/pyridine complex in pyridine and by the subsequent neutralization of the products with sodium hydroxide solution. When compared with the conventional hybrid surfactants, C_mF_2m+1C₆H₄COCH(SO₃Na)C_nH_2n+1 (FmHnS: m=4, 6; n=2, 4, 6; C₆H₄: p-phenylene), the new hybrid surfactants thus synthesized were found to have a comparable ability to lower the surface tension of water and a high hydrophilicity. The cmc of FmPHnOS obeyed Kleven’s rule and their occupied areas per molecule increased with increasing m and n with the values between 0.66 and 1.05 nm². The aggregation number for FmPHnOS micelles ranged from 6 to 45 and the hydrodynamic radius of the micelles was in the range of 1.4-3.1 nm.     

Magnetic and dielectric properties of YbFe2−xMnxO4 (0?x?1)

We have investigated the magnetic and dielectric properties of YbFe_2−xMn_xO₄ (0?x?1), which is an Fe-site-substituted system of new multiferroic oxides RFe₂O₄ (R=Y, Ho-Lu). X-ray diffraction measurements show that a solid solution is formed between YbFe₂O₄ (x=0) and YbFeMnO₄ (x=1) for 0?x?1, whereas only compounds with x=1 (i.e., RM₁M₂O₄; M₁ and M₂=trivalent and divalent cations, respectively) have been known for the Fe-site substitution in RFe₂O₄. The valence of the Mn ion is determined to be ∼2+, consistently with the suppression of low-temperature magnetization by the Mn substitution. The magnetic transition temperature (T_N) and the dielectric constant (ε′) decrease monotonically with increasing x. This result plausibly confirms that the magnetic and dielectric properties in oxides isostructural with RFe₂O₄ are governed by the electron transfer between Fe-site ions, unlike ordinary ferroelectrics and dielectrics, in which the ionic displacement plays a key role. The possibility for application is briefly discussed as well.     

Chirality changes in reactions of asymmetric molybdenum complexes

Optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism studies have allowed the determination of the changes in configuration at the molybdenum center upon displacement of carbonyl and iodide in neomenthylcyclopentadienyl—Mo(allyl)(NO)X systems. Displacement of carbonyl by iodide occurs with retention of configuration. Replacement of iodide with benzenesulfonate followed by replacement of the sulfonate with iodide occurs stereospecifically with net retention of configuration. In the case of cyclopentadienylMo(cyclooctenyl)(NO)I, the enantiomers were separated via a spontaneous resolution through crystallization of the complex in the space group P2₁2₁2₁. These studies have allowed the correlation not only of the absolute configuration at the metal center with CD studies, but also have established that a long wavelength optically active transition at approximately 400 nm can be correlated with endo-exo isomerism. Comparison of the rates of interconversion suggest that endo to exo isomerization occurs via a clockwise rotation of the allyl in the (R)-isomer. Crystallographic details: (—)-(S)-(NMCp)Mo(allyl)(NO)I crystallizes in the space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a 7.221(1), b 12.686(7), c 21.603(7) Å, Z = 4, V = 1979(2) ų; R₁ = 0.039, R₂ = 0.046; (—)-(S)-(Cp)Mo(cyclooctenyl)(NO)I crystallizes in the space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a 8.466(1), b 10.449(2), c 16.372(2) Å, Z = 4, V = 1448.3(6), R₁ = 0.038, and R₂ = 0.046.     

Structural and transport properties of compounds in the CsHSO4-KH2PO4 system with a high potassium dihydrophosphate content

The (1?x)CsHSO₄-xKH₂PO₄ system was studied in a wide range of compositions (x = 0.05?0.97). Mixed salts with different crystal structures and different transport, thermodynamic, and thermal properties were shown to form. In these mixed (1?x)CsHSO₄-xKH₂PO₄ compounds (x = 0.05?0.5), solid solutions formed on the basis of the compound with a crystal structure Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄) (C2/c). As the content of KH₂PO₄ increased further, another compound with a crystal structure, CsH₅(PO₄)₂ (P2₁/c), formed and existed up to x = 0.95. At x ≥ 0.7, KH₂PO₄ existed as an individual phase along with CsH₅(PO₄)₂; its content increased considerably at x ≥ 0.9. The low conductivities and high activation energies of (1?x)CsHSO₄-xKH₂PO₄ at x = 0.6?0.95 were close to those for CsH₅(PO₄)₂. The compounds with x = 0.5–0.9 showed low thermal stability corresponding to the individual CsH₅(PO₄)₂ phase.     

Crystal structures, unusual magnetic properties and electronic band structures of Cr5−xTixTe8

The effect of substitution of the cation Cr by Ti in Cr₅Te₈ has been investigated with respect to its crystal structure, magnetic properties, and electronic structure. The compounds Cr_5−xTi_xTe₈ (x=0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1.85, 2, 3, 4, 5) were synthesized at elevated temperatures followed by slow cooling the samples to room temperature. The crystal structures have been refined with X-ray powder diffraction data with the Rietveld method. Three structural modifications are identified: monoclinic with space group F2/m for Cr_5−xTi_xTe₈ (x=0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1.85), trigonal supercell with space group P-3m1 for Cr_5−xTi_xTe₈ (x=2, 3), and trigonal basic cell with space group P-3m1 for Cr_5−xTi_xTe₈ (x=4, 5). The structures of all these phases are related to the NiAs structure with full and deficient metal layers stacking alternatively along the c-axis.The irreversibility in the field-cooled/zero-field-cooled magnetization with low field depends strongly on the Ti concentration x. Four types of magnetic states are distinguished: re-entrant ferromagnet for m-Cr₅Te₈, cluster-glass for m-Cr_4.5Ti_0.5Te₈ and m-Cr₄TiTe₈, antiferromagnetic for m-Cr_3.5Ti_1.5Te₈, and spin-glass for tr-Cr₃Ti₂Te₈, tr-Cr₂Ti₃Te₈, and Cr_0.25TiTe₂.Accompanying spin polarized scalar-relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker band-structure calculations strongly support the observation that the crystallographic sites in the full metal layers are preferentially occupied and predict that Ti atoms have the preference to occupy the full metal layers. These compounds are predicted metallic. Results for the spin-resolved DOS and magnetic moments on each crystallographic sites are presented.     

Phase stability of La1−xCaxCrO3−δ in oxidizing atmosphere

The chemical stability of perovskite-type La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) in high oxygen partial pressure, P_O2, was investigated with three methods: thermogravimetry, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic calculation. The second phase, CaCrO₄ was observed by XRD analysis on the powder equilibrated in high P_O2. Thermogravimetry under fixed temperatures sensitively detected the segregation of the second phase in the form of oxygen incorporation, because oxidation of chromium ion accompanies the segregation. The second phase tended to appear in high P_O2 and at low temperature. The single-phase regions of La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ obtained from the two experimental methods well agreed with each other. The results of thermodynamic calculation on the assumption of ideality of the solid solution also agreed with the experimental results. These results suggested the sufficient chemical stability of La_1−xCa_xCrO_3−δ in high P_O2 concerning the application to an interconnector of high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells; for example, La_0.7Ca_0.3CrO_3−δ is stable at 1273 K in air.     

Nickel deficiency in RENi2-xP2 (RE=La, Ce, Pr). Combined crystallographic and physical property studies

Large single crystals from RENi_2-xP₂ (RE=La, Ce, Pr) were synthesized from the pure elements using Sn as a metal flux, and their structures were established by X-ray crystallography. The title compounds were confirmed to crystallize in the body-centered tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂ structure type (space group I4/mmm (No. 139); Pearson's symbol tI10), but with a significant homogeneity range with respect to the transition metal. Systematic synthetic work, coupled with accurate structure refinements indicated strong correlation between the degree of Ni-deficiency and the reaction conditions. According to the temperature dependent dc magnetization measurements, LaNi_2-xP₂ (x=0.30(1)), as expected, is Pauli-like paramagnetic in the studied temperature regime, while the Ce-analog CeNi_2-xP₂ (x=0.28(1)) shows the characteristics of a mixed valent Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ system with a possible Kondo temperature scale on the order of 1000 K. For three different PrNi_2-xP₂ (x?0.5) samples, the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization indicated typical local moment 4f-magnetism and a stable Pr³⁺ ground state, with subtle variations of T_C as a function of the concentration of Ni defects. Field-dependent heat capacity data for CeNi_2-xP₂ (x=0.28(1)) and PrNi_2-xP₂ (x=0.53(1)) are discussed as well.     

Reasons for the nonequivalence of the exo-exo and endo-endo vicinal NMR coupling constants in norbornanes

In a series of norbornanes, benzonorbornenes, and norbornenes, the vicinal cis couplings ³J_exo,exo and ³J_endo,endo are determined. A trend is recognized in which J_exo,exo steadily decreases in this series while J_endo,endo remains relatively constant; in norbornenes J_exo,exo and J_endo,endo are about the same. These observations are understood by means of theoretical calculations performed for representative compounds of the series. This study indicates that interactions of the C₇-methylene bridge with the bonds of the C₂C₃ ethylene bridge are responsible for the nonequivalence of J_exo,exo and J_endo,endo in norbornanes, and that in norbornenes interaction of the olefin functionality with bonds of the ethylene bridge is responsible for bridging J_exo,exo back fortuitously close to J_endo,endo.     

Synthesis of palladium-bidentate complex and its application in Sonogashira and Suzuki coupling reactions

A new palladium-bidentate complex [m-C₆H₄(CH₂ImMe)₂(PdCl₂)] (III) was prepared in two steps. In the first step, [m-C₆H₄(CH₂ImMeAgCl)₂] (II) (Im = imidazole moiety) was obtained by reacting imidazolium salt [m-C₆H₄(CH₂ImMe)₂]Cl₂ (I) (prepared by quaternisation of Nmethylimidazole with 1,3-bis(chloromethyl)benzene) and Ag₂O in CH₂Cl₂. In the next step, treatment of (II) with Pd(CH₃CN)₂Cl₂ afforded complex III which was evaluated for its catalytic activity for C-C bond-formation reactions by examining the coupling reaction of 3-iodoanisole with phenylacetylene in the Sonogashira reaction. In addition, 3-methoxybiphenyls were obtained with good to excellent yields by Suzuki coupling reactions of 3-iodoanisole with phenylboronic acids or phenylborates salts in the presence of this complex.     

Novel solid solutions of Ca3–1.5xYbx□0.5xB2SiO8: Synthesis,crystal structure,luminescence and thermal properties

New cation-deficient solid solutions of Ca_3–1.5xYb_x□_0.5xB₂SiO₈ (x = 0–0.4) based on Ca₃B₂SiO₈ borosilicate were synthesized. It was found that solid solutions in the range 0 ≤ x < 0.125 are structurally similar to the low-temperature monoclinic β-Ca₃B₂SiO₈, whereas those of the range 0.187 < x < 0.4 are similar to the high-temperature orthorhombic α-Ca₃B₂SiO₈. The crystal structures of solid solutions with x = 0.2 and 0.3 were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined in the orthorhombic space group Pnma to R_obs = 0.051 and 0.057, respectively. Thermal expansion of the samples with x = 0.1, 0.3 was investigated using powder high-temperature X-ray diffraction in the temperature range of 20–800 °C. Photoluminescence spectra of Ca_3–1.5xYb_x□_0.5xB₂SiO₈ consist of the intra-configurational ²F_5/2–²F_7/2 transitions inside of Yb³⁺ ions with a maximum at 975 nm.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the spin ladder compounds La2(Cu1−xZnx)2O5 and La8(Cu1−xZnx)7O19

The influence of Zn-doping on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of the spin ladder compounds La₂Cu₂O₅ (4-leg) and La₈Cu₇O₁₉ (5-leg) have been investigated. The La₂(Cu_1−xZn_x)₂O₅ and La₈(Cu_1−xZn_x)₇O₁₉ solid solutions were obtained as single phases with x=0-0.1 via the solid-state reaction method in the temperature range between 1005-1010 °C and 1015-1030 °C in oxygen and air atmospheres, respectively. The lattice parameters a and c of the monoclinic crystal structures as well as the unit cell volume V increase with increasing x, while b and β decrease for both series. The magnetic susceptibilities χ of both series show a very similar behavior on temperature as well as on Zn-doping, which is supposed to be due to the similar Cu-O coordination in both La₂Cu₂O₅ and La₈Cu₇O₁₉. For low Zn-doping (x?0.04), a spin-chain like behavior is found. This quasi-one-dimensional behavior is strongly suppressed in both series for x?0.04. Here, the maximum (characteristic for spin chains) in χ(T) disappears and χ(T) decreases monotonically with increasing temperature.