Lone-Pair Enhanced Birefringence in an Alkaline-Earth Metal Tin(II) Phosphate BaSn2(PO4)2

The first alkaline-earth metal tin(II) phosphate, BaSn₂(PO₄)₂, has been discovered, which consists of layered structures constructed from strictly alternating [SnO₃]⁴⁻ and [PO₄]³⁻ moieties. This compound is expected to have a large birefringence with Δn≈0.071 at 1064 nm, owing to the presence of stereochemically active lone pair metal cations.     

Hierarchical Modulation of Optical Anisotropy Driven by Metal Cation Polyhedra in Fluorooxoborates MIIB4O6F2 (MII=Be,Mg, Pb,Zn, Cd)

The enhancement mechanism of birefringence is very important to modulate optical anisotropy and materials design. Herein, the different cations extending from alkaline-earth to alkaline-earth, d¹⁰ electron configuration, and 6s² lone pair cations are highlighted to explore the influence on the birefringence. A flexible fluorooxoborate framework from AEB₄O₆F₂ (AE=Ca, Sr) is adopted for UV/deep-UV birefringent structures, namely, M^IIB₄O₆F₂ (M^II=Be, Mg, Pb, Zn, Cd). The maximal enhancement on birefringence can reach 46.6 % with the cation substitution from Ca, Sr to Be, Mg (route-I), Pb (route-II), and Zn, Cd (route-III). The influence of the cation size, the stereochemically active lone pair, and the binding capability of metal cation polyhedra is investigated for the hierarchical improvement on birefringence. Significantly, the BeB₄O₆F₂ structure features the shortest UV cutoff edge 146 nm among the available anhydrous beryllium borates with birefringence over 0.1 at 1064 nm, and the PbB₄O₆F₂ structure has the shortest UV cutoff edge 194 nm within the reported anhydrous lead borates that hold birefringence larger than 0.1 at 1064 nm. This work sheds light on how metal cation polyhedra modulate birefringence, which suggests a credible design strategy to obtain desirable birefringent structures by cation control.     

Y[PS4]: An Unusual ABX4 Compound with a PtS-Related Crystal Structure

Pale yellow single crystals of Y[PS₄] (tetragonal, I4₁/acd; a = 1065.72(5), c = 1899.23(9) pm, Z = 16) can easily be obtained by the reaction of the elements without using a flux to avoid the entrapment of alkali metals. The structure consists of isolated [PS₄]^3- tetrahedra (d(P-S) = 203 pm, 4×) each surrounded by four Y³⁺ cations resulting in a S₄N₄-analogous arrangement of the metal cations and sulfur atoms about the phosphorus in the center of this polyhedron. Both crystallographically different Y³⁺ cations are eightfold coordinated by sulfur in the shape of trigonal dodecahedra (d(Y-S) = 280 - 300 pm, CN = 8) which in turn belong to four exclusively edge-attached [PS₄]^3- tetrahedra. These build up a distorted cubic closest packing where the Y³⁺ cations are situated in one half of the tetrahedral holes the same way as S^2- in the Pt²⁺ arrangement of the PtS-type structure.     

Electrical conductance and ionic association of the bivalent transition metal tetrafluoroborates in acetonitrile solution

Visible absorption spectra of Co(BF₄)₂ and Ni(BF₄)² in acetonitrile (AN) indicate the existence of complex electrolytes solely of the type [M(AN)₆]²⁺·2BF ₄ ^– . Close agreement of the molar conductance curves for Mn(BF₄)₂, Co(BF₄)₂, Ni(BF₄)₂, Cu(BF₄)₂, and Zn(BF₄)₂ indicates that the same is true for the other tetrafluoroborates as well. Small specific differences in properties of the [M(AN)₆]²⁺ complex cations are reflected in the limiting molar conductances, while the first-step association constants to a good approximation are the same for the different metal cations. Penetration of the tetrafluoroborate anion in between the coordinated acetonitrile molecules is suggested as a possible explanation for the apparent independence of ionic association on the crystallographic radius of the cation.     

An Antimony(III) Fluoride Oxalate with Large Birefringence

Birefringent materials play a key role in modulating the polarization of light and thus in optical communication as well as in laser techniques and science. Designing new, excellent birefringent materials remains a challenge. In this work, we designed and synthesized the first antimony(III) fluoride oxalate birefringent material, KSb₂C₂O₄F₅, by a combination of delocalized π-conjugated [C₂O₄]²⁻ groups, stereochemical active Sb³⁺ cations, and the most electronegative element, fluorine. The [C₂O₄]²⁻ groups are not in an optimal arrangement in the crystal structure of KSb₂C₂O₄F₅; nonetheless, KSb₂C₂O₄F₅ exhibits a large birefringence (Δn=0.170 at 546 nm) that is even better than that of the well-known commercial birefringent material α-BaB₂O₄, even though the latter features an optimal arrangement of π-conjugated [B₃O₆]³⁻ groups. Based on first-principles calculations, this prominent birefringence should be attributed to the alliance of planar π-conjugated [C₂O₄]²⁻ anions, highly distorted SbO₂F₂ and SbOF₃ polyhedra with a stereochemically active lone pair. The combination of lone-pair electrons and π-conjugated systems boosts the birefringence to a large extent and will help the development of high-performance birefringent materials.     

Influence of Cations on the Formation of Cobalt(II) Complexes with Thiocyanate Ions in Solutions of Nonionic Micelles

The influence of additives of alkali, alkaline-earth, and several transition metal cations, protonated amines, and quaternary ammonium on the state of the tetrahedral cobalt(II) thiocyanate complex is studied in an aqueous solution of the nonionogenic surfactant Triton X-100. It is shown that alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations and compounds containing protonated primary amino groups favor the formation of additional amounts of the micellar-bonded [Co(NCS)₄]^2– complex anion. This fact is explained by the interaction of these cations with the oxyethylene chains of the nonionogenic surfactant as was observed in the crown ether coordination. This provides the formation and transfer into micelles of additional amounts of their associates with [Co(NCS)₄]^2–. The Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ cations decompose cobalt tetrathiocyanate due to the formation of their own complexes with the ligand. This effect is not observed in the case of the quaternary ammonium compounds, which is explained by their incapability of coordinating the oxyethylene chains of the nonionogenic surfactant.     

KCo(H2O)2BP2O8·0.48H2O and K0.17Ca0.42Co(H2O)2BP2O8·H2O: two cobalt borophosphates with helical ribbons and disordered (K,Ca)/H2O schemes

The two title compounds, potassium diaquacobalt(II) borodiphosphate 0.48‐hydrate and potassium–calcium(0.172/0.418) diaquacobalt(II) borodiphosphate monohydrate, were synthesized hydrothermally. They are new members of the borophosphate family characterized by _∞[BP₂O₈]³⁻ helices running along [001] and constructed of boron (Wyckoff position 6b, twofold axis) and phosphorus tetrahedra. The [CoBP₂O₈]⁻ anionic frameworks in the two materials are structurally similar and result from a connection in the ab plane between the CoO₄(H₂O)₂ coordination octahedra (6b position) and the helical ribbons. Nevertheless, the two structures differ in the disorder schemes of the K,Ca and H₂O species. The alkali cations in the structure of the pure potassium compound are disordered over three independent positions, one of them located on a 6b site. Its framework is characterized by double occupation of the tunnels by water molecules located on twofold rotation axes (6b) and a fraction of alkali cations; its cell parameters, compared with those for the mixed K,Ca compound, show abnormal changes, presumably due to the disorder. For the K,Ca compound, the K and Ca cations are on twofold axes (6b) and the channels are occupied only by disordered solvent water molecules. This shows that it is possible, due to the flexibility of the helices, to replace the alkali and alkaline earth cations while retaining the crystal framework.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and optical properties of two one‐dimensional germanophosphates: HRb3Ge2(HPO4)6 and CsGe(HPO4)2(OH)

Germanophosphates, as a young class of metal phosphates, have been less reported but might possess more diverse structural types and potential applications. Here, two one‐dimensional (1D) alkali‐metal germanophosphates (GePOs), namely, hydrogen hexakis(μ‐hydrogen phosphato)digermaniumtrirubidium, HRb₃Ge₂(HPO₄)₆ ( 1 ), and caesium bis(μ‐hydrogen phosphato)(μ‐hydroxido)germanium, CsGe(HPO₄)₂(OH) ( 2 ), have been prepared by the solvothermal method. Compound 1 shows 1D [Ge(HPO₄)₆]_∞ chains along the c axis formed by GeO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra, with Rb⁺ cations dissociated between the chains. Compound 2 also exhibits 1D [Ge(HPO₄)₄(OH)₂]_∞ chains constructed from adjacent Ge(HPO₄)₄(OH)₂ octahedra, with Cs⁺ cations dissociated between the chains. XRD, TGA, IR and UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra are presented and discussed for both compounds.     

Kristallstrukturen von Säurehydraten und Oxoniumsalzen. XX. Die Oxoniumtetrafluoroborate H3OBF4, [H5O2]BF4 und [H(CH3OH)2]BF4

Crystal Structures of Acid Hydrates and Oxonium Salts. XX. Oxonium Tetrafluoroborates H₃OBF₄, [H₅O₂]BF₄, and [H(CH₃OH)₂]BF₄ The crystal structures of three oxonium tetrafluoroborates were determined. H₃OBF₄, oxonium tetrafluoroborate proper, is triclinic with space group P1 , Z = 2 and the unit cell dimensions a = 4.758, b = 6.047, c = 6.352 Å and α = 80.40, β = 79.48, γ = 88.25° at ?26°C. Cations H₃O⁺ and anions BF₄^? are linked by hydrogen bonds O? H…?F into ribbons of condensed rings. In [H₅O₂]BF₄ (diaquohydrogen tetrafluoroborate, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 6.584, b = 9.725, c = 7.084 Å, β = 95.15° at ?100°C) the hydrogen bond in the cation H₅O₂⁺ is 2.412 Å short, asymmetric and approximately centered and the linking of cations and anions three-dimensional. In [H(CH₃OH)₂]BF₄ (Bis(methanol)hydrogen tetrafluoroborate, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 5.197, b = 14.458, c = 9.318 Å, β = 94.61° at ?50°C) the cation [H(CH₃OH)₂]⁺ is characterized for the first time in a crystal structure with an again very short (2.394 Å), asymmetric and effectively centered hydrogen bond. By further hydrogen bonds cations and anions form only dimers of the formula unit of centrosymmetric cyclic structure.     

Synthesis and binding investigations of novel crown-ether derivatives of phenanthro[4,5-abc]phenazine and quinoxalino[2′,3′:9,10]phenanthro[4,5-abc]phenazine

The synthesis and binding investigation of novel crown-ether derivatives of phenanthro[4,5-abc]phenazine and quinoxalino[2′,3′:9,10]phenanthro[4,5-abc]phenazine sensors are reported. The binding studies of these sensors with an array of alkali and alkaline-earth metals are exploited using UV–vis, fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies.     

ASc[SeO3]2 (A = Na – Cs): Pure Alkali‐Metal Scandium Oxoselenates(IV) and Their Representatives With Mixed Alkali‐Metal Occupation

Alkali‐metal scandium oxoselenates(IV) ASc[SeO₃]₂ (A = Na – Cs) are known since a few years and a hydrothermal synthesis was used to obtain them. In our new studies we applied a flux‐supported solid‐state reaction and produced colorless single crystals as well. All representatives ASc[SeO₃]₂ with A = Na – Cs crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, in contrast to earlier reports for hexagonal RbSc[SeO₃]₂. Furthermore we have extended this field with some crystals showing a mixed occupation on the alkali‐metal site, namely (K,Na)Sc[SeO₃]₂, (Rb,K)Sc[SeO₃]₂, and (Cs,Rb)Sc[SeO₃]₂. Since all of them contain [ScO₆]^9– octahedra and [SeO₃]^2– ψ¹‐tetrahedra the diverse connectivity of the distinct alkali‐metal centered oxygen polyhedra differentiates the compounds with the smaller alkali metals (A′ = Na and K) from those with the bigger ones (A′′ = Rb and Cs). For the mixed crystals the amount of smaller or bigger alkali metal is responsible, which design is chosen by the system. This forces the mixed crystal (Rb,K)Sc[SeO₃]₂ with a higher amount of potassium instead of rubidium to crystallize isotypically with KSc[SeO₃]₂ and NaSc[SeO₃]₂, whereas the pure rubidium compound RbSc[SeO₃]₂ adopts the CsSc[SeO₃]₂‐type structure. These findings are supported by single‐crystal Raman spectroscopy.     

Stability of crown-ether complexes with alkali-metal ions in ionic liquid-water mixed solvents

Stability constants of sodium and cesium ion complexes with 18-crown-6 (18C6) and dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in N-butyl-4-methyl-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate [BMP][BF₄] aqueous solutions were measured using the ²³Na and ¹³³Cs NMR technique at 23 °C. To the best of our knowledge, the estimated values of stability constants reported in this study are the first such values given for ionic liquid solutions. The cationic exchange between the free and complexed species is rapid, and only formation of the 1:1 complexes [M(18C6)]⁺ and [M(DB18C6)]⁺ (M = Na⁺, Cs⁺) were observed. The complex formation constants demonstrated a strong dependence on the [BMP][BF₄] concentration. For [M(18C6)]⁺, in solutions with a 0.33–0.70 mole fraction of water in [BMP][BF₄], lg K values are found to be more than one unit higher than the lg K values measured in pure aqueous solutions, although no information concerning the influence of [BMP][BF₄] on the complex formation selectivity could be observed. DB18C6 complexes revealed significantly lower stability under the same conditions. An extrapolation to zero water content gave the lg K = 2.42 for [Cs(18C6)]⁺ in [BMP][BF₄]. It was discovered that when added to water, [BMP][BF₄] increases the solubility of crown ethers and decreases the solubility of alkali metal nitrates. Complex formation with crown ethers enhances the solubility of alkali metal salts in [BMP][BF₄].     

KVTeO5 and a redetermination of the Na homologue

A single crystal of KVTeO₅, potassium vanadium tellurite, has been grown. The present structure determination has been conducted together with the refinement of the NaVTeO₅ homologue, sodium vanadium tellurite, for the sake of precise comparison. The network consists of [VTeO₅]_n ribbons built up by VO₄ tetrahedra linking centrosymmetric Te₂O₆ groups and stacked along the [010] direction; the alkali cations are intercalated in between. The Te^IV atom exhibits a typical one‐sided coordination number (CN) of 4, completed by a lone pair, which forms a distorted triangular bipyramid with the four O atoms.     

Internally Bridged Hückel Aromatic [46]Decaphyrins: (Doubly-Twisted-Annuleno)Doubly-Twisted-Annulene Variants

Internally 3,3′-biphenyl-, 2,2′,5,5′-bithiophene-, and 2,5-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-bridged [46]decaphyrins were prepared. In addition to the global 46π-conjugated circuits, the internal core-modified [32]heptaphyrin- and [30]hexaphyrin moieties in 2,2′,5,5′-bithiophene- and 2,5-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-bridged [46]decaphyrins also possess doubly twisted topologies (|L_k|=2) and are regarded as (doubly-twisted-annuleno)doubly-twisted-annulene variants. All these decaphyrins display distinct Hückel aromaticity owing to the global 46π-electronic networks but the contributions of the local half circuits were almost negligible due to the perpendicular orientation of the bridges.     

Er2S[SiO4]: Ein Erbiumsulfid‐ortho‐Oxosilicat mit ungewöhnlicher Sulfidionen‐Koordination

During the reaction of cadmium sulfide with erbium and sulfur in evacuated silica ampoules pink lath‐shaped crystals of Er₂S[SiO₄] occur as by‐product which were characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. The title compound crystallizes orthorhombically in the space group Cmce (a = 1070.02(8), b = 1235.48(9), c = 683.64(6) pm) with eight formula units per unit cell. Besides isolated ortho‐oxosilicate units [SiO₄]^4?, the crystal structure contains two crystallographically independent Er³⁺ cations which are both eightfold coordinated by six oxygen and two sulfur atoms. The sulfide anions are surrounded by four erbium cations each in the shape of very distorted tetrahedra. These excentric [SEr₄]¹⁰⁺ tetrahedra build up layers according to by vertex‐ and edge‐connection. They are piled parallel to (010) and separated by the isolated ortho‐oxosilicate tetrahedra.     

Thiosilicate der Selten‐Erd‐Elemente: III. KLa[SiS4] und RbLa[SiS4] – Ein struktureller Vergleich

Thiosilicates of the Rare‐Earth Elements: III. KLa[SiS₄] and RbLa[SiS₄] – A Structural Comparison Pale yellow, platelet shaped, air‐ and water resistant single crystals of KLa[SiS₄] derived from the reaction of lanthanum (La) and sulfur (S) with silicon disulfide (SiS₂) in a molar ratio of 2 : 3 : 1 with an excess of potassium chloride (KCl) as flux and source of potassium ions in evacuated silica ampoules at 850 °C within seven days. The analogous reaction utilizing a melt of rubidium chloride (RbCl) instead also leads to yellow comparable single crystals of RbLa[SiS₄]. The potassium lanthanum thiosilicate crystallizes monoclinically with the space group P2₁/m (a = 653.34(6), b = 657.23(6), c = 867.02(8) pm, β = 107.496(9)°) and two formula units per unit cell, while the rubidium lanthanum thiosilicate has to be assigned orthorhombically with the space group Pnma (a = 1728.4(2), b = 667.23(6), c = 652.89(6) pm) and four formula units in its unit cell. In both compounds the La³⁺ cations are surrounded by 8+1 sulfide anions in the shape of tricapped trigonal prisms. The Rb⁺ cations in RbLa[SiS₄] show a coordination number of 9+2 relative to the S^2? anions, which form pentacapped trigonal prisms about Rb⁺. This coordination number, however, is apparently too high for the K⁺ cations in KLa[SiS₄], so that they only exhibit a bicapped trigonal prismatic environment built up by eight S^2? anions. The isolated thiosilicate tetrahedra [SiS₄]^4? of the rubidium compound are surrounded by La³⁺ both edge‐ and face‐capping, but terminal as well as edge‐ and face‐spanning by Rb⁺. In the potassium compound there is no change for the La³⁺ environment about the [SiS₄]^4? tetrahedra, but the K⁺ cations are only able to attach terminal and via edges. The whole structure is built up by anionic equation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif{La[SiS₄]}^? layers that are separated by the alkali metal cations. In direct comparison the two thiosilicate structures can be regarded as stacking variants.     

Ionic Association of the Ionic Liquids [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][PF6], and [Cnmim]Br in Molecular Solvents

Considering the ionic nature of ionic liquids (ILs), ionic association is expected to be essential in solutions of ILs and to have an important influence on their applications. Although numerous studies have been reported for the ionic association behavior of ILs in solution, quantitative results are quite scarce. Herein, the conductivities of the ILs [C_nmim]Br (n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12), [C₄mim][BF₄], and [C₄mim][PF₆] in various molecular solvents (water, methanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐pentanol, acetonitrile, and acetone) are determined at 298.15 K as a function of IL concentration. The conductance data are analyzed by the Lee–Wheaton conductivity equation in terms of the ionic association constant (K_A) and the limiting molar conductance (Λ_m⁰). Combined with the values for the Br^? anion reported in the literature, the limiting molar conductivities and the transference numbers of the cations and [BF₄]^? and [PF₆]^? anions are calculated in the molecular solvents. It is shown that the alkyl chain length of the cations and type of anion affect the ionic association constants and limiting molar conductivities of the ILs. For a given anion (Br^?), the Λ_m⁰ values decrease with increasing alkyl chain length of the cations in all the molecular solvents, whereas the K_A values of the ILs decrease in organic solvents but increase in water as the alkyl chain length of the cations increases. For the [C₄mim]⁺ cation, the limiting molar conductivities of the ILs decrease in the order Br^?>[BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?, and their ionic association constants follow the order [BF₄]^?>[PF₆]^?>Br^? in water, acetone, and acetonitrile. Furthermore, and similar to the classical electrolytes, a linear relationship is observed between ln K_A of the ILs and the reciprocal of the dielectric constants of the molecular solvents. The ILs are solvated to a different extent by the molecular solvents, and ionic association is affected significantly by ionic solvation. This information is expected to be useful for the modulation of the IL conductance by the alkyl chain length of the cations, type of anion, and physical properties of the molecular solvents.     

(TlMes2)[BF4] – Ein Salz mit linearem (Mes‐Tl‐Mes)+‐Ion

(TlMes₂)[BF₄] – A Salt with the Linear Cation (Mes‐Tl‐Mes)⁺ TlMes₃ was reacted with [BF₃(OEt₂)] in Et₂O at 20 °C to give (TlMes₂)[BF₄] ( 1 ). 1 was characterized by NMR techniques, IR spectroscopy as well as by an X‐ray structure determination. According to this, 1 is built‐up by ifinite chains of cations and anions along [001]. The linear cations are rotated 90° to each other along the chains due to the coordination of the [BF₄]^? ion.     

Mixed‐Valent Europium in the Cubic Thiosilicate Li3Eu6[SiS4]4

In an attempt to synthesize LiEu₃S₃[SiS₄] utilizing elemental europium and sulfur as well as SiS₂ and an excess of LiCl as flux and lithium source, dark red, platelet‐shaped single crystals of Li₃Eu₆[SiS₄]₄ were obtained. This new compound crystallizes in the cubic space group I4 3d (a = 1369.22(5) pm) with four formula units per unit cell. Both the Li⁺ and the Si⁴⁺ cations are surrounded by four sulfide anions. The [SiS₄]^4– tetrahedra show merely a slight trigonal distortion, while the [LiS₄]^7– units are best described as flattened bisphenoids. The europium cations exhibit an eightfold, rather irregular coordination environment by eight S^2– anions and have to be regarded mixed‐valent with a +2:+3 charge‐ratio of 5:1 in order to gain electroneutrality. The lack of an inversion center is caused by the [SiS₄]^4– tetrahedra being stacked exclusively top up along [111] in this acentric crystal structure.     

Synthesis, properties and crystal structures of ferrocene derivatives containing pyrazinium and quinoxalinium units

The pyrazinium salt [FcCH₂pyz][BF₄] (1) and the quinoxalinium salt [FcCH₂quin][BF₄] (2) were prepared by the reaction of [FcCH₂][BF₄] with pyrazine and quinoxaline, respectively and characterised by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed the absence of any π-π-stacking motifs in the crystal structures.