Carbometallate: Komplexe Anionenverbände [MoC4/26—] in der Kristallstruktur von Pr[MoIIC2]

Carbometalates: Complex Anions equation/tex2gif-stack-4.gif [MoC_4/2^6—] in the Crystal Structure of Pr equation/tex2gif-stack-5.gif [Mo^IIC₂] Criteria for the existence of carbometalates are established and discussed in a broader context. The concept is then applied to the novel compound Pr₂[MoC₂], which is characterized by chemical analyses, X‐ray diffraction and metallography. The crystal structure (tetragonal, P4₂/mnm, Z = 4, a = 581.29(8) pm, c = 1032.53(14) pm) consists of layered polyanions equation/tex2gif-stack-6.gif[MoC_4/2^6—] of distorted vertex and edge sharing MoC₄ tetrahedra. Praseodymium is also in a distorted tetrahedral coordination by carbon. The physical properties show “bad metal” behaviour and localized magnetic 4f‐moments in agreement with the existence of Pr³⁺‐species. A detailed bonding analysis using both the electron localization function ELF and the COHP method justifies the interpretation of the title compound as a carbomolybdate(II).     

Planar nets of Ti atoms comprising squares and rhombs in the new binary antimonide Ti2Sb

The new binary antimonide Ti(2)Sb was found to crystallize in a distorted variant of the La(2)Sb type, which contains a square planar La net with short La-La bonds. In the Ti(2)Sb structure, the corresponding Ti net is deformed to squares and rhombs in order to enhance Ti-Ti bonding, as proven by single-crystal X-ray investigation in combination with the real-space pair distribution function technique utilizing both X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Electronic structure calculations revealed a lowering of the total energy caused by the disorder, the major driving force being strengthened Ti-Ti interactions along the diagonal of the Ti(4) rhombs.     

A novel C3-symmetric prolinol-squaramide catalyst for the asymmetric reduction of ketones by borane

A novel C₃-symmetric prolinol-squaramide has been developed for the asymmetric reduction of ketones by borane. By using only 5 mol % catalyst 1a for the reaction, high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% yield, 93% ee) were obtained. Moreover, 1a can be easily recovered by simple precipitation and re-used for four cycles without losing the selectivity.     

Chemical bonding analysis and properties of La7Os4C9—A new structure type containing C- and C2-units as Os-coordinating ligands

The new ternary carbide La₇Os₄C₉ was prepared by argon arc-melting of the elements followed by subsequent heat treatment at 900 °C for 250 h. The compound crystallizes monoclinic, in the space group C2/m (a=1198.5(2) pm, b=542.0(1) pm, c=1196.2(2) pm, β=111.04(1)°, V=725.2(2)×10⁶ pm³, Z=2). The structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to a residual of R₁=0.02 (wR₂=0.03) for 4812 unique reflections and 64 variable parameters. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements characterize the compound as a Pauli-paramagnetic metal. The crystal structure contains bridging C- and terminal C₂-units as Os-coordinating ligands, thereby forming polyanions running along the [101] direction. The polyanions are composed of alternating Os(C₂)C₂ and OsC₃ units with the transition metal in distorted trigonal planar coordination. Charge compensation is ensured by La cations which are situated in-between the polyanions. The carbon-carbon bond (131 pm) within the C₂ pairs is slightly shorter than the value of a common C-C double bond, and is discussed on the basis of COHP curves on the one side, and with ELI-D and electron density distributions on the other side. The method of partial ELI-D decomposition is shown to be well suited for the characterization of separated DOS structures in terms of chemical bonding signatures provided by ELI-D. The Os-La interactions are shown to be of a polar multicenter-bonding type with Os playing the role of the electron donor. Compared to an acetylide the C₂ species were found to possess a significantly reduced bond order and an enhanced number of electrons in lone pair type spatial regions. This type of species cannot be simply classified in terms of model pictures such as C₂²⁻ and C₂⁴⁻, respectively.     

Sn/Sb atom ordering in the ternary stannide-antimonide TiSnSb

TiSnSb was prepared by reacting the elements Ti and Sb in an Sn flux at 500°C. Alternatively, TiSnSb can be synthesized from the elements in the stoichiometric 1:1:1 ratio at 850°C. According to our single crystal data, TiSnSb forms the Mg₂Cu type, orthorhombic space group Fddd, with a=5.4892(7), b=9.845(1), and c=19.151(3) Å (Z=16). As evident from both our structure refinements and our electronic structure calculations, the two crystallographically independent positions of the Mg atoms in the Mg₂Cu type are not statistically occupied by the Sn and Sb atoms in the TiSnSb structure. Structural and electronic similarities to and differences from TiSb₂ and NbSnSb (both CuAl₂ type) are discussed. Supporting the electronic structure calculations, physical property measurements revealed the metallic character of TiSnSb, with holes being the dominant charge carriers.     

Ternary Rare Earth and Actinoid Transition Metal Carbides Viewed as Carbometalates.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Ternary Thiobismuthates A9Bi13S24 (A = K,Rb)

Ternary alkali metal thiobismuthates A₉Bi₁₃S₂₄ (A = K, Rb) were synthesized by direct combination reactions at 650 °C. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with cell parameters a = 30.919(1) Å, b = 4.1008(2) Å, c = 20.9072(9) Å, β = 105.826(3)° for K₉Bi₁₃S₂₄ ( 1 ) and a = 31.823(6) Å, b = 4.1177(8) Å, c = 21.086(4) Å, β = 105.62(3)° for Rb₉Bi₁₃S₂₄ ( 2 ). The crystal structure of 1 contains a 3D [K₂Bi₁₃S₂₄]^7– polyanionic framework, whereas 2 consists of 2D [RbBi₁₃S₂₄]^8– polyanionic slabs stacked along [201]. Both 1 and 2 are semiconductors with a band gap of 1.4 and 1.3 eV, respectively, which is supported by an electronic structure calculation. 1 melts congruently at 580 °C, while 2 melts incongruently at 575 °C. 1 and 2 are airstable and insoluble in water and organic solvents.     

Compatibility study of oxide and olivine cathode materials with lithium aluminum titanium phosphate

The compatibility of the solid electrolyte Li_1.5Al_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (LATP) with the cathode materials LiCoO₂, LiMn₂O₄, LiCoPO₄, LiFePO₄, and LiMn_0.5Fe_0.5PO₄ was investigated in a co-sintering study. Mixtures of LATP and the different cathode materials were sintered at various temperatures and subsequently analyzed by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. Oxide cathode materials display a rapid decomposition reaction with the electrolyte material even at temperatures as low as 500 °C, while olivine cathode materials are much more stable. The oxide cathode materials tend to decompose to lithium-free compounds, leaving lithium to form Li₃PO₄ and other metal phosphates. In contrast, the olivine cathode materials decompose to mixed phosphates, which can, in part, still be electrochemically active. Among the olivine cathode materials, LiFePO₄ demonstrated the most promising results. No secondary phases were detected by X-ray diffraction after sintering a LATP/LiFePO₄ mixture at temperatures as high as 700 °C. Electron microscopy revealed a small secondary phase probably consisting of Li₂FeTi(PO₄)₃, which is ionically conductive and should be electrochemically active as well.