Crystal structures of CsFe2S3 and RbFe2S3: synthetic analogs of rasvumite KFe2S3

The isostructural alkali thioferrate compounds CsFe₂S₃, RbFe₂S₃ and KFe₂S₃ have been synthesized by reacting Fe and S with their corresponding AFeS₂ (A=K, Rb, Cs) precursors. The crystal structures of these and binary compounds of intermediate composition were determined by Rietveld analysis of laboratory powder X-ray diffraction patterns. All of the synthesized compounds adopt the space group Cmcm (#63), Z=4 with: a=9.5193(8) Å, b=11.5826(10) Å, c=5.4820(4) Å for CsFe₂S₃; a=9.2202(7) Å, b=11.2429(9) Å, c=5.4450(3) Å for RbFe₂S₃; and a=9.0415(13) Å, b=11.0298(17) Å, c=5.4177(6) Å for KFe₂S₃. These mixed valence alkali thioferrates show regular changes in cell dimensions, AS₁₀ (A=K, Rb, Cs) polyhedron volumes, polyhedron distortion parameters, and calculated oxidation state of Fe with respect to increasing size of the alkali element cation. The calculated empirical oxidation state of iron varies from +2.618 (CsFe₂S₃), through +2.666 (RbFe₂S₃) to +2.77 (KFe₂S₃).     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of Ag2Nb[P2S6][S2] and KAg2[PS4]

Ag₂Nb[P₂S₆][S₂] (1) was obtained from the direct solid state reaction of Ag, Nb, P₂S₅ and S at 500 °C. KAg₂[PS₄] (2) was prepared from the reaction of K₂S₃, Ag, Nd, P₂S₅ and extra S powder at 700 °C. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a=12.2188(11), b=26.3725(16), c=6.7517(4) Å, V=2175.7(3) Å³, Z=8. Compound 2 crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric tetragonal space group with lattice parameters a=6.6471(7), c=8.1693(11) Å, V=360.95(7) Å³, Z=2. The structure of Ag₂Nb[P₂S₆][S₂] (1) consists of [Nb₂S₁₂], [P₂S₆] and new found puckered [Ag₂S₄] chains which are along [001] direction. The Nb atoms are located at the center of distorted bicapped trigonal prisms. Two prisms share square face of two [S₂²⁻] to form one [Nb₂S₁₂] unit, in which Nb-Nb bond is formed. The [Nb₂S₁₂] units share all S²⁻ corners with ethane-like [P₂S₆] units to form 14-membered rings. The novel puckered [Ag₂S₄] chains are composed of distorted [AgS₄] tetrahedra and [AgS₃] triangles that share corners with each other. These chains are connected with [P₂S₆] units and [Nb₂S₁₂] units to form three-dimensional frame work. The structural skeleton of 2 is built up from [AgS₄] and [PS₄] tetrahedra linked by corner-sharing. The three-dimensional anionic framework contains orthogonal, intersecting tunnels directed along [100] and [010]. This compound possesses a compressed chalcopyrite-like structure. The structure is compressed along [001] and results from eight coordination sphere for K⁺. Both compounds are characterized with UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and compound 1 with IR and Raman spectra.     

High-pressure high-temperature synthesis and crystal structure of the isotypic rare earth (RE)-thioborate-sulfides RE9[BS3]2[BS4]3S3, (RE=Dy-Lu)

Application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions (3.5 GPa at 1673 K for 5 h) to mixtures of the elements (RE:B:S=1:3:6) yielded crystalline samples of the isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE₉[BS₃]₂[BS₄]₃S₃, (RE=Dy-Lu), which crystallize in space group P6₃ (Z=2/3) and adopt the Ce₆Al_3.33S₁₄ structure type. The crystal structures were refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by applying the Rietveld method. Dy: a=9.4044(2) Å, c=5.8855(3) Å; Ho: a=9.3703(1) Å, c=5.8826(1) Å; Er: a=9.3279(12) Å, c=5.8793(8) Å; Tm: a=9.2869(3) Å, c=5.8781(3) Å; Yb: a=9.2514(5) Å, c=5.8805(6) Å; Lu: a=9.2162(3) Å, c=5.8911(3) Å. The crystal structure is characterized by the presence of two isolated complex ions [BS₃]^3- and [BS₄]^5- as well as [□(S^2-)₃] units.     

Quaternary selenostannates Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 and AGaSnSe4 (A=K, Rb, and Cs) through rapid cooling of melts. Kinetics versus thermodynamics in the polymorphism of AGaSnSe4

The quaternary alkali-metal gallium selenostannates, Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ and AGaSnSe₄ (A=K, Rb, and Cs), were synthesized by reacting alkali-metal selenide, Ga, Sn, and Se with a flame melting-rapid cooling method. Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group C2 with cell constants a=13.308(3) Å, b=7.594(2) Å, c=13.842(3) Å, β=118.730(4)°, V=1226.7(5) Å³. α-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm with a=8.186(5) Å and c=6.403(5) Å, V=429.1(5) Å³. β-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with cell constants a=7.490(2) Å, b=12.578(3) Å, c=18.306(5) Å, β=98.653(5)°, V=1705.0(8) Å³. The unit cell of isostructural RbGaSnSe₄ is a=7.567(2) Å, b=12.656(3) Å, c=18.277(4) Å, β=95.924(4)°, V=1741.1(7) Å³. CsGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmcn with a=7.679(2) Å, b=12.655(3) Å, c=18.278(5) Å, V=1776.1(8) Å³. The structure of Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ consists of a polar three-dimensional network of trimeric (Sn,Ga)₃Se₉ units with Na atoms located in tunnels. The AGaSnSe₄ possess layered structures. The compounds show nearly the same Raman spectral features, except for Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆. Optical band gaps, determined from UV-Vis spectroscopy, range from 1.50 eV in Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ to 1.97 eV in CsGaSnSe₄. Cooling of the melts of KGaSnSe₄ and RbGaSnSe₄ produces only kinetically stable products. The thermodynamically stable product is accessible under extended annealing, which leads to the so-called γ-form (BaGa₂S₄-type) of these compounds.     

A rare multi-coordinate tellurite, NH4ATe4O9·2H2O (ARb or Cs): The occurrence of TeO3, TeO4, and TeO5 Polyhedra in the same material

Two new tellurites, NH₄RbTe₄O₉·2H₂O and NH₄CsTe₄O₉·2H₂O have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds were synthesized hydrothermally, in near quantitative yields, using the alkali metal halide, TeO₂, and NH₄OH as reagents. The iso-structural materials exhibit layered, two-dimensional structural topologies consisting of TeO_x (x=3, 4, or 5) polyhedra separated by NH₄⁺, H₂O, Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ cations. Unique to these materials is the presence of TeO₃, TeO₄, and TeO₅ polyhedra. Thermogravimetric and infrared spectroscopic data are also presented. Crystal data: NH₄RbTe₄O₉·2H₂O: Monoclinic I2/a (no. 15), a=18.917(3) Å, b=6.7002(11) Å, c=21.106(5) Å, β=101.813(2)°, V=2618.5(9) Å³, Z=8; NH₄CsTe₄O₉·2H₂O: Monoclinic I2/a (no. 15), a=18.9880(12) Å, b=6.7633(4) Å, c=21.476(2) Å, β=102.3460(10)°, V=2694.2(3) Å³, Z=8.     

Synthesis and characterization of La4MnCu6S10

The new quaternary sulfide La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃, MnS, and CuS₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in a new structure type in space group of the triclinic system with one formula unit in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=6.6076(3) Å, b=7.3247(3) Å, c=8.7844(4) Å, α=83.457(1)°, β=74.398(1)°, γ=89.996(1)°, and V=406.61(3) Å³. The structure of La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaS₇ monocapped trigonal prisms, MnS₆ octahedra, and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Band gaps of 2.49 eV in the [100] direction and 2.53 eV in the [001] direction have been derived from optical absorption measurements on a La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ single crystal.     

New open-framework in the uranyl vanadates A3(UO2)7(VO4)5O (A=Li, Ag) with intergrowth structure between A(UO2)4(VO4)3 and A2(UO2)3(VO4)2O

New uranyl vanadates A₃(UO₂)₇(VO₄)₅O (M=Li (1), Na (2), Ag (3)) have been synthesized by solid-state reaction and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for 1 and 3. The tetragonal structure results of an alternation of two types of sheets denoted S for _∞²[UO₂(VO₄)₂]⁴⁻ and D for _∞²[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₃]⁵⁻ built from UO₆ square bipyramids and connected through VO₄ tetrahedra to _∞¹[U(3)O₅-U(4)O₅]⁸⁻ infinite chains of edge-shared U(3)O₇ and U(4)O₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternatively parallel to a- and b-axis to construct a three-dimensional uranyl vanadate arrangement. It is noticeable that similar _∞[UO₅]⁴⁻ chains are connected only by S-type sheets in A₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O and by D-type sheets in A(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃, thus A₃(UO₂)₇(VO₄)₅O appears as an intergrowth structure between the two previously reported series. The mobility of the monovalent ion in the mutually perpendicular channels created in the three-dimensional arrangement is correlated to the occupation rate of the sites and by the geometry of the different sites occupied by either Na, Ag or Li. Crystallographic data: 293 K, Bruker X8-APEX2 X-ray diffractometer equipped with a 4 K CCD detector, MoKα, λ=0.71073 Å, tetragonal symmetry, space group P4¯m2, Z=1, full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F²; 1,a=7.2794(9) Å, c=14.514(4) Å, R1=0.021 and wR2=0.048 for 62 parameters with 782 independent reflections with I?2σ(I); 3, a=7.2373(3) Å, c=14.7973(15) Å, R1=0.041 and wR2=0.085 for 60 parameters with 1066 independent reflections with I?2σ(I).     

New alkali-metal-molybdenum(VI)-selenium(IV) oxides: syntheses, structures, and characterization of A2SeMoO6 (A=Na, K, or Rb)

Three new quaternary selenites, A₂SeMoO₆ (A=Na⁺, K⁺, or Rb⁺), were synthesized through the solid-state reaction of A₂MoO₄ with SeO₂ at 400°C. Although the reported materials are ‘stoichiometrically equivalent’, the compounds exhibit strikingly different crystal structures. Whereas Na₂SeMoO₆ has a three-dimensional crystal structure, K₂SeMoO₆ and Rb₂SeMoO₆ are molecular and uni-dimensional, respectively. However, all of the new materials have structures containing Mo⁶⁺ octahedra linked to Se⁴⁺ trigonal pyramids. Although the Mo⁶⁺ and Se⁴⁺ cations are in local asymmetric environments in all three materials, only Na₂SeMoO₆ is non-centrosymmetric. Single crystal X-ray data: Na₂SeMoO₆, cubic, space group, P2₁3 (no. 198), a=8.375(5) Å, Z=4, R(F)=0.0143; K₂SeMoO₆, monoclinic, space group, P2₁/c (no. 14), a=6.118(8) Å, b=15.395(2) Å, c=7.580(9) Å, β=112.39(4)°, Z=4, R(F)=0.0281; Rb₂SeMoO₆, orthorhombic, space group, Pnma (no. 62), a=7.805(9) Å, b=6.188(7) Å, c=14.405(4) Å, Z=4, R(F)=0.0443.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of A3In2Ge4 and A5In3Ge6 (A=Ca, Sr, Eu, Yb)—New intermetallic compounds with complex structures, exhibiting Ge-Ge and In-In bonding

Reported are the synthesis and the structural characterization of four new polar intermetallic phases, which exist only with mixed alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal cations in narrow homogeneity ranges. (Sr_1-xCa_x)₅In₃Ge₆ and (Eu_1-xYb_x)₅In₃Ge₆ (x≈0.7) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with two formula units per unit cell (own structure type, Pearson symbol oP56). The lattice parameters are as follows: a=13.109(3)-13.266(3) Å, b=4.4089(9)-4.4703(12) Å, and c=23.316(5)-23.557(6) Å. (Sr_1-xCa_x)₃In₂Ge₄ and (Sr_1-xYb_x)₃In₂Ge₄ (x≈0.4-0.5) adopt another novel monoclinic structure-type (space group C2/m, Z=4, Pearson symbol mS36) with lattice parameters in the range a=19.978(2)-20.202(2) Å, b=4.5287(5)-4.5664(5) Å, c=10.3295(12)-10.3447(10) Å, and β=98.214(2)-98.470(2)°, depending on the metal cations and their ratio. The polyanionic sub-structures in both cases are based on chains of InGe₄ corner-shared tetrahedra. The A₅In₃Ge₆ structure (A=Sr/Ca or Sr/Yb) also features Ge₄ tetramers, and isolated In atoms in nearly square-planar environment, while the A₃In₂Ge₄ structure (A=Sr/Ca or Eu/Yb) contains zig-zag chains of In and Ge strings with intricate topology of cis- and trans-bonds. The experimental results have been complemented by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) band structure calculations.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and Raman spectra of Ba(BF4)(PF6), Ba(BF4)(AsF6) and Ba2(BF4)2(AsF6)(H3F4); the first examples of metal salts containing simultaneously tetrahedral BF4 and octahedral AF6 anions

In the system BaF₂/BF₃/PF₅/anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) a compound Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) was isolated and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on the single crystal. Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) crystallizes in a hexagonal space group with a=10.2251(4) Å, c=6.1535(4) Å, V=557.17(5) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=3. Both crystallographically independent Ba atoms possess coordination polyhedra in the shape of tri-capped trigonal prisms, which include F atoms from BF₄⁻ and PF₆⁻ anions. In the analogous system with AsF₅ instead of PF₅ the compound Ba(BF₄)(AsF₆) was isolated and characterized. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic Pnma space group with a=10.415(2) Å, b=6.325(3) Å, c=11.8297(17) Å, V=779.3(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=4. The coordination around Ba atom is in the shape of slightly distorted tri-capped trigonal prism which includes five F atoms from AsF₆⁻ and four F atoms from BF₄⁻ anions. When the system BaF₂/BF₃/AsF₅/aHF is made basic with an extra addition of BaF₂, the compound Ba₂(BF₄)₂(AsF₆)(H₃F₄) was obtained. It crystallizes in a hexagonal P6₃/mmc space group with a=6.8709(9) Å, c=17.327(8) Å, V=708.4(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=2. The barium environment in the shape of tetra-capped distorted trigonal prism involves 10 F atoms from four BF₄⁻, three AsF₆⁻ and three H₃F₄⁻ anions. All F atoms, except the central atom in H₃F₄ moiety, act as μ₂-bridges yielding a complex 3-D structural network.     

The novel Cs4Nb6F8.5I3.5I6 octahedral niobium cluster fluoro-iodide: a step towards the Nb6F12 cluster core excision

The solid state synthesis of Cs₄Nb₆Fⁱ_8.5Iⁱ_3.5I^a₆ starting from Nb₆F₁₅ binary fluoride, as well as its crystal structure determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, are presented in this work. This novel cluster compound is based on a Nb₆Iⁱ₃Fⁱ₆Lⁱ₃I^a₆ (L=F, I) discrete unit and crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group C2/m; Z=4 ; a=10.4363(4) Å, b=18.1227(7) Å, c=19.5102(9) Å β=101.223(1)°, V=3619.5(3) Å³, R₁=0.057; wR₂=0.159). This halide is the first octahedral niobium cluster compound containing unshared terminal I^a ligands together with ordered μ₂-Iⁱ and μ₂-Fⁱ ligands on nine inner positions whilst the three last ones (Lⁱ) are slightly affected by a I/F random occupancy. The structural findings are discussed and compared with those of Nb₆F₁₅, Nb₆I₁₁, CsNb₆I₁₁ and the fluorochlorides and fluorobromides recently reported.     

Synthesis, structure, and optical properties of the new lanthanum copper oxysulfide La3CuO2S3

The new quaternary lanthanum copper oxysulfide La₃CuO₂S₃ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃ and CuO at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=14.0318(7) Å, b=3.9342(2) Å, and c=12.5212(6) Å. The structure of La₃CuO₂S₃ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaO_nS_8−n bicapped trigonal prisms and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Optical absorption measurements on a La₃CuO₂S₃ single crystal led to derived band gaps of 2.01 eV in both the [010] and [001] directions.     

Syntheses and single-crystal structures of CsTh(MoO4)2Cl and Na4Th(WO4)4

Colorless crystals of CsTh(MoO₄)₂Cl and Na₄Th(WO₄)₄ have been synthesized at 993 K by the solid-state reactions of ThO₂, MoO₃, CsCl, and ThCl₄ with Na₂WO₄. Both compounds have been characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of CsTh(MoO₄)₂Cl is orthorhombic, consisting of two adjacent [Th(MoO₄)₂] layers separated by an ionic CsCl sublattice. It can be considered as an insertion compound of Th(MoO₄)₂ and reformulated as Th(MoO₄)₂·CsCl. The Th atom coordinates to seven monodentate MoO₄ tetrahedra and one Cl atom in a highly distorted square antiprism. Na₄Th(WO₄)₄ adopts a scheelite superlattice structure. The three-dimensional framework of Na₄Th(WO₄)₄ is constructed from corner-sharing ThO₈ square antiprisms and WO₄ tetrahedra. The space within the channels is filled by six-coordinate Na ions. Crystal data: CsTh(MoO₄)₂Cl, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z=4, a=10.170(1) Å, b=10.030(1) Å, c=9.649(1) Å, β=95.671(2)°, V=979.5(2) Å³, R(F)=2.65% for I>2σ(I); Na₄Th(WO₄)₄, tetragonal, I4₁/a, Z=4, a=11.437(1) Å, c=11.833(2) Å, V=1547.7(4) Å³, R(F)=3.02% for I>2σ(I).     

Syntheses, structures, optical properties, and theoretical calculations of Cs2Bi2ZnS5, Cs2Bi2CdS5, and Cs2Bi2MnS5

Three new compounds, Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅, Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅, and Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅, have been synthesized from the respective elements and a reactive flux Cs₂S₃ at 973 K. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of a=15.763(3), b=4.0965(9), c=18.197(4) Å, V=1175.0(4) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅; a=15.817(2), b=4.1782(6), c=18.473(3)  Å, V=1220.8(3)  ų for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅; and a=15.830(2), b=4.1515(5), c=18.372(2) Å, V=1207.4(2) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅. The structure is composed of two-dimensional _∞²[Bi₂MS₅²⁻] (M=Zn, Cd, Mn) layers that stack perpendicular to the [100] axis and are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The layers consist of edge-sharing _∞¹[Bi₂S₆⁶⁻] and _∞¹[MS₃⁴⁻] chains built from BiS₆ octahedral and MS₄ tetrahedral units. Two crystallographically unique Cs atoms are coordinated to S atoms in octahedral and monocapped trigonal prismatic environments. The structure of Cs₂Bi₂MS₅, is related to that of Na₂ZrCu₂S₄ and those of the AMM′Q₃ materials (A=alkali metal, M=rare-earth or Group 4 element, M′= Group 11 or 12 element, Q=chalcogen). First-principles theoretical calculations indicate that Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅ and Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ are semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.85 and 1.75 eV, respectively. The experimental band gap for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ is ≈1.7 eV, as derived from its optical absorption spectrum.     

Crystal growth and structural investigation of A2BReO6 (A=Sr, Ba; B=Li, Na)

Single crystals of the double perovskite rhenates A₂BReO₆ (A=Sr, Ba; B=Li, Na) were grown out of molten hydroxide fluxes. Single crystals of orange/yellow Ba₂LiReO₆, Ba₂NaReO₆ and Sr₂LiReO₆ were solved in the cubic, Fm-3m space group with a=8.1214(11) Å, 8.2975(3) Å, and 7.9071(15) Å, respectively, while Sr₂NaReO₆ was determined to be monoclinic P2₁/n with a=5.6737(6) Å, b=5.7988(6) Å, c=8.0431(8) Å, and β=90.02(6) °. The cubic structure consists of a rock salt lattice of corner-shared ReO₆ and MO₆ (M=Li, Na) octahedra which, in the monoclinic structure, are both tilted and rotated. A discrepancy exists between the symmetry of Sr₂LiReO₆ indicated by the single-crystal refinement of flux-grown crystals (cubic, Fm-3m) and the symmetry indicated by the powder diffraction data collected on polycrystalline samples prepared by the ceramic method (tetragonal, I4/m). It is possible that the cubic crystals are a kinetic product that forms in small quantities at low temperatures, while the powder represents the more stable polymorph that forms at higher reaction temperature.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

Rb2BaNb2Se11: A new quaternary niobium polyselenide with infinite anionic chains composed of Nb2Se11 building block

The quaternary compound Rb₂BaNb₂Se₁₁ has been synthesized by reacting Nb metal with an in situ formed flux of Rb₂Se₃, BaSe and Se at 773 K. Rb₂BaNb₂Se₁₁ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with four formula units and lattice parameters a=7.8438(5) Å, b=13.6959(6) Å, c=17.0677(13) Å, β=97.917(9)°. The structure consists of one-dimensional anionic chains formed by interconnection of dimeric [Nb₂Se₁₁] units. The chains are directed along the crystallographic c-axis with Rb⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions being located between the chains. The [Nb₂Se₁₁] units are formed by face sharing of two NbSe₇ bipyramids and are joined by Se₂²⁻ dianions to form infinite ¹_∞[Nb₂Se₁₁⁴⁻] chains. The compound was characterized with infrared spectroscopy in the FIR region, Raman and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.     

High-pressure synthesis and structures of novel chromium sulfides, Ba3CrS5 and Ba3Cr2S6 with one-dimensional chain structures

Two new ternary chromium sulfides, Ba₃CrS₅, and Ba₃Cr₂S₆ were synthesized by the reaction of sulfur, barium sulfide, and chromium metal under a high pressure of 5 GPa at 1200°C. Ba₃CrS₅ crystallized in the hexagonal space group P6₃cm (No. 185) with a=9.1208(3) Å, c=6.1930(3) Å, V=446.17(3) Å³, and Z=6. It had a column structure with one-dimensional chains of [CrS₃]_∞ composed of face-sharing CrS₆ octahedra surrounded with Ba²⁺ ions. Additional S columns surrounded with Ba ions were running along with the CrS₆ columns. Ba₃Cr₂S₆ crystallized in the trigonal space group R-3c (No. 167) with a=11.8179(7) Å, c=12.796(1) Å, V=1547.7(2) Å³, and Z=6. The structure of Ba₃Cr₂S₆ also contains [CrS₃]_∞ chains but the chains are composed of octahedral and trigonal prismatic CrS₆ units, which are alternately stacked in a face-sharing manner. The formal charges of Cr ions in Ba₃CrS₅ and Ba₃Cr₂S₆ are 4+ and 3+, respectively.     

A solvothermal synthesis and characterization of a new open-framework K4Ag2Ge3S9·H2O

A novel framework K₄Ag₂Ge₃S₉·H₂O was synthesized solvothermally in the presence of a chelating agent of HSCH₂CH(SH)CH₂OH. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. This material crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2(1) (No. 33) with a=14.4524(4) Å, b=9.6339(3) Å, c=16.5636(9) Å, z=4, R₁=0.0292, wR₂=0.0624 for all data. The structure comprises of adamantane-like clusters [AgGe₃S₉]⁵⁻ linked by Ag+ ions to form a open-framework, and potassium ions and water molecules are located in the channels. Its IR and thermal properties were investigated.     

Synthesis, characterization and dielectric properties of new unidimensional quaternary tellurites: LaTeNbO6, La4Te6Nb2O23, and La4Te6Ta2O23

Three new tellurites, LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) have been synthesized, as bulk phase powders and crystals, by using La₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ (or Ta₂O₅), and TeO₂ as reagents. The structures of LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃ were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. LaTeNbO₆ consists of one-dimensional corner-linked chains of NbO₆ octahedra that are connected by TeO₃ polyhedra. La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) is composed of corner-linked chains of MO₆ octahedra that are also connected by TeO₄ and two TeO₃ polyhedra. In all of the reported materials, Te⁴⁺ is in an asymmetric coordination environment attributable to its stereo-active lone-pair. Infrared, thermogravimetric, and dielectric analyses are also presented. Crystallographic information: LaTeNbO₆, triclinic, space group P−1, a=6.7842(6) Å, b=7.4473(6) Å, c=10.7519(9) Å, α=79.6490(10)°, β=76.920(2)°, γ=89.923(2)°, Z=4; La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=23.4676(17) Å, b=12.1291(9) Å, c=7.6416(6) Å, β=101.2580(10)°, Z=4.