Synthesis, structure and physical properties of GdCu4Al and GdCu4Ga

Two non-stoichiometric Gd compounds, GdCu_5−xTr_x (Tr=Al, Ga) have been synthesized from the corresponding elements by high temperature reactions in sealed tantalum containers. They crystallize in the hexagonal CaCu₅-type (Pearson's symbol hP6, space group P6/mmm, No. 191) with lattice parameters determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature as follows: a=5.0831(10) Å; c=4.156(2) Å for GdCu_3.98(4)Al_1.02(4), and a=5.1025(10) Å; c=4.155(2) Å for GdCu_3.9(1)Ga_1.1(1), respectively. Structure refinements from single crystal X-ray diffraction data reveal that substitution of Cu for Al or Ga takes place preferably on one of the two transition metal sites with site symmetry mmm (3g). Both compounds order antiferromagnetically below ∼40 K and ∼36 K, respectively, as determined from temperature dependent dc-magnetization, resistivity and heat-capacity measurements.     

Crystal chemistry of M[PO2(OH)2]2·2H2O compounds (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd): Structural investigation of the Ni, Zn and Cd salts

The compounds M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) were prepared from super-saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray structure investigations of members with M=Ni, Zn, Cd were performed at 295 and 120 K. The space-group symmetry is P2₁/n, Z=2. The unit-cell parameters are at 295/120 K for M=Ni: a=7.240(2)/7.202(2), b=9.794(2)/9.799(2), c=5.313(1)/5.285(1) Å, β=94.81(1)/94.38(1)°, V=375.4/371.9 Å³; M=Zn: a=7.263(2)/7.221(2), b=9.893(2)/9.899(3), c=5.328(1)/5.296(2) Å, β=94.79(1)/94.31(2)°, V=381.5/377.5 Å³; M=Cd: a=7.356(2)/7.319(2), b=10.416(2)/10.423(3), c=5.407(1)/5.371(2) Å, β=93.85(1)/93.30(2)°, V=413.4/409.1 Å³. Layers of corner-shared MO₆ octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra are linked by three of the four crystallographically different hydrogen bonds. The fourth hydrogen bond (located within the layer) is worth mentioning because of the short O_h?O bond distance of 2.57-2.61 Å at room temperature (2.56-2.57 Å at 120 K); only for M=Mg it is increased to 2.65 Å. Any marked temperature-dependent variation of the unit-cell dimension is observed only vertical to the layers. The analysis of the infrared (IR) spectroscopy data evidences that the internal PO₄ vibrations are insensitive to the size and the electronic configuration of the M²⁺ ions. The slight strengthening of the intra-molecular P-O bonds in the Mg salt is caused by the more ionic character of the Mg-O bonds. All IR spectra exhibit the characteristic “ABC trio” for acidic salts: 2900-3180 cm⁻¹ (A band), 2000-2450 cm⁻¹ (B band) and 1550-1750 cm⁻¹ (C band). Both the frequency and the intensity of the A band provide an evidence that the PO₂(OH)₂ groups in M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O compounds form weaker hydrogen bonds as compared with other acidic salts with comparable O?O bond distances of about 2.60 Å. The observed shift of the O-H stretching vibrations of the water molecule in the order M=Mg>Mn≈Fe≈Co>Ni>Zn≈Cd has been discussed with respect to the influence of both the character and the strength of M↔H₂O interactions.     

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.     

High-pressure synthesis and structural characterization of three new polyphosphides, α-SrP3, BaP8, and LaP5

Three novel metal polyphosphides, α-SrP₃, BaP₈, and LaP₅, were prepared in BN crucibles by the reaction of the respective stoichiometric mixtures under a high pressure of 3 GPa at 950-1000°C. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray data (α-SrP₃: space group C2/m, a=9.199(6) Å, b=7.288(3) Å, c=5.690(3) Å, β=113.45(4)°, Z=4, R₁/wR₂=0.0684/0.1180 for 471 observed reflections and 22 variables; BaP₈: space group P−1, a=6.762(2) Å, b=7.233(2) Å, c=8.567(2) Å, α=86.32(2)°, β=84.31(2)°, γ=70.40(2)°, Z=2, R₁/wR₂=0.0476/0.1255 for 2702 observed reflections and 82 variables; LaP₅: space group P2₁/m, a=4.885(1) Å, b=9.673(3) Å, c=5.577(2) Å, β=105.32(2)°, Z=2, R₁/wR₂=0.0391/0.1034 for 1272 observed reflections and 31 variables). α-SrP₃ is isostructural with SrAs₃ and the crystal structure consists of two-dimensional puckered polyanionic layers _∞²[P₃]²⁻ that stack along the c-axis yielding channels occupied by Sr²⁺ counterions. BaP₈ crystallizes in a new structure type which contains a three-dimensional infinite polyanionic framework _∞³[P₃]²⁻, with large channels hosting the barium cations. LaP₅ is a layered compound containing _∞²[P₅]³⁻ polyanionic layers separated by La³⁺ ions. All three compounds exhibit expected diamagnetic behaviors.     

La3Ru8B6 and Y3Os8B6, new members of a homologous series R(A)nM3n−1B2n

Two new compounds, La₃Ru₈B₆ and Y₃Os₈B₆, were synthesized by arc melting the elements. Their structural characterization was carried out at room temperature on as-cast samples by using X-ray diffractometry. According to X-ray single-crystal diffraction results these borides crystallize in Fmmm space group (no. 69), Z=4, a=5.5607(1) Å, b=9.8035(3) Å, c=17.5524(4) Å, ρ=8.956 Mg/m³, μ=25.23 mm⁻¹ for La₃Ru₈B₆ and a=5.4792(2) Å, b=9.5139(4) Å, c=17.6972(8) Å, ρ=13.343 Mg/m³, μ=128.23 mm⁻¹ for Y₃Os₈B₆. The crystal structure of La₃Ru₈B₆ was confirmed from Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data. Both La₃Ru₈B₆ and Y₃Os₈B₆ compounds are isotypic with the Ca₃Rh₈B₆ compound and their structures are built up from CeCo₃B₂-type and CeAl₂Ga₂-type structural fragments taken in ratio 2:1. They are the members of structural series R(A)_nM_3n−1B_2n with n=3 (R is the rare earth metal, A the alkaline earth metal, and M the transition metal). Structural and atomic parameters were also obtained for La_0.94Ru₃B₂ compound from Rietveld refinement (CeCo₃B₂-type structure, P6/mmm space group (no. 191), a=5.5835(9) Å, c=3.0278(6) Å).     

Anomalous octahedral distortion and multiple phase transitions in the metal-ordered manganite YBaMn2O6

By means of powder X-ray diffraction, powder neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we determined the crystal structures of a metal-ordered manganite YBaMn₂O₆ which undergoes successive phase transitions. A high-temperature metallic phase (T_c1=520 K<T) crystallizes in a triclinic P1 with the following unit cell: Z=2, a=5.4948(15) Å, b=5.4920(14) Å, c=7.7174(4) Å, α=89.804(20)°, β=90.173(20)°, γ=91.160(4)°. The MnO₆ octahedral tilting is approximately written as a⁰b⁻c⁻, leading to a significant structural anisotropy within the ab plane. The structure for T_c2<T<T_c1 is a monoclinic P2 (Z=2, a=5.5181(4) Å, b=5.5142(4) Å, c=7.6443(3) Å, β=90.267(4)°) with an a⁻b⁻c⁻ tilting. The structural features suggest a d_x²−y² orbital ordering (OO). Below T_c2=480 K, crystallographically inequivalent two octahedra show distinct volume difference, due to the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ charge ordering. The TEM study furthermore revealed a unique d_3x²−r²/d_3y²−r² OO with a modified CE structure. It was found that the obtained crystal structures are strongly correlated to the unusual physical properties. In particular, the extremely high temperature at which charge degree of freedom freezes, T_c2, should be caused by the absence of the structural disorder and by heavily distorted MnO₆ octahedra.     

Phase relations in a barium-rich high-temperature region (25-45 mol% CuO, 900-1100 °C) of the BaO-CuOx system

The phase relations have been studied in the BaO-CuO_x system in the range of 25.0-45.0 mol% CuO at 900-1100 °C at P(O₂)=21 kPa (air) by visual polythermal analysis (VPA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction (ED) with simultaneous energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and iodometric chemical analysis. The discrete deviations 2.02 (101:50), 2.04 (102:50), 2.10 (105:50) of Ba/Cu (Ba:Cu) composition from the stoichiometric ratio 2:1 have been found for the known Ba₂CuO_3+δ oxides in the subsolidus region 900-970 °C. Unit cell parameters of the 101:50 orthorhombic oxide, 102:50 tetragonal one, 105:50 orthorhombic one are, respectively, a=4.049, b=3.899, c=13.034 Å; a=3.985, c=12.968 Å; a=4.087, b=3.897 and c=12.950 Å. ED patterns of the 101:50, 102:50, 105:50 oxides show characteristic supercell reflections with the respective vector 1/60[5 4 0], ≈2/11〈1 1 0〉 and 1/6[2 0 0]. Oxides of the 2:1, 7:4, 5:3 and 23:20 compositions have been found in the crystallization region 970-1050 °C. Unit cell parameters of the 2:1 orthorhombic oxide are a=4.095, b=3.795, c=13.165 Å. Interplanar spacings and X-ray characteristic peak intensities of the 7:4, 5:3 and 23:20 oxides are given. Oxides 2:1 and 7:4 melt pseudocongruently at 1020 and 1005 °C, oxides 5:3 and 23:20 melt incongruently at 995 and 980 °C, respectively. A diagram of the phase relations in the studied region of the BaO-CuO_x system has been constructed, whose structure is considered as the total projection of phase states of the system existing for different x.     

Order-disorder at Fe sites in SrFe2/3B″1/3O3 (B″=Mo, W, Te, U) tetragonal double perovskites

We have prepared SrFe_2/3B″_1/3O₃ (B″=Mo, U, Te, and W) double perovskites in polycrystalline form by ceramic methods. Phases with B″=U, Te and W have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and the results have been compared with neutron diffraction data available for B″=Mo. At room temperature, the stoichiometric samples crystallize in the tetragonal crystal system (space group I4/m, Z=4). Cell parameters when B″=U, Te and W are a=5.6936(1) Å, c=8.0637(1)Å; a=5.5776(1) Å, c=7.9144(3) Å and a=5.5707(3) Å, c=7.9081(5) Å, respectively.The Mössbauer spectra at room temperature for all compounds show hyperfine parameters belonging to two Fe³⁺ sites located at lattice positions with different degrees of distortion. This is in agreement with diffraction data that indicate that the series of compounds display different degrees of Fe-site disorder, which increases in the following sequence: Mo<U<Te<W.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and electric transport properties of Eu11InSb9 and Yb11InSb9

Two new rare-earth metal containing Zintl phases, Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉ have been synthesized by reactions of the corresponding elements in molten In metal to serve as a self-flux. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction—both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Iba2 (No. 45), Z=4 with unit cell parameters a=12.224(2) Å, b=12.874(2) Å, c=17.315(3) Å for Eu₁₁InSb₉, and a=11.7886(11) Å, b=12.4151(12) Å, c=16.6743(15) Å for Yb₁₁InSb₉, respectively (Ca₁₁InSb₉-type, Pearson's code oI84). Both structures can be rationalized using the classic Zintl rules, and are best described in terms of discrete In-centered tetrahedra of Sb, [InSb₄]⁹⁻, isolated Sb dimers, [Sb₂]⁴⁻, and isolated Sb anions, Sb³⁻. These anionic species are separated by Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ cations, which occupy the empty space between them and counterbalance the formal charges. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements corroborate such analysis and indicate divalent Eu and Yb, as well as poorly metallic behavior for both Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉. The close relationships between these structures and those of the monoclinic α-Ca₂₁Mn₄Sb₁₈ and Ca₂₁Mn₄Bi₁₈ are also discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermochemical behaviour of a barium complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H2O)3] [5-OH-H2BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid]

A novel complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H₂O)₃] [5-OH-H₂BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid] was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex is Monoclinic P2₁/c, a = 11.1069(4), b = 14.8192(6), c = 6.5005(2) Å, β = 103.465(3)° and Z = 4, which exhibits a three-dimensional framework formed by linkage of adjacent two-dimensional (6, 3) layers via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The title complex has been studied by IR spectrum and TG-DTG. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_cU, was determined as being (−3210.45 ± 1.41) kJ mol⁻¹ by a precise rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. The standard enthalpy of combustion, , and the standard enthalpy of formation, , were calculated as being (−3207.97 ± 1.41) and (−1922.80 ± 1.76) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. A calculation model for determining the specific heat capacity of the complex with an improved RD496-III microcalorimeter is also derived. The specific heat capacity of the complex was (6158.387 ± 0.187) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

LiB3O5 crystal structure at 20, 227 and 377 °C

Crystal structure of LiB₃O₅ (a framework of [B₃O₅]⁻ rings and Li atoms located in interspaces) was refined at high temperatures using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, MoKα-radiation, anharmonic approximation, orthorhombic; Pna2₁; Z=4; 20 °C (a=8.444, b=7.378, c=5.146 Å, 1411 F(hkl), R=0.022); 227 °C (a=8.616, b=7.433, c=5.063 Å, 1336 F(hkl), R=0.026), 377 °C (a=8.746, b=7.480, c=5.013 Å, 1193 F(hkl), R=0.035). A high mobility of Li atoms and their highly asymmetric vibrations are revealed. Ellipsoid of Li thermal vibrations is oviform. Li is shifted on heating to 0.26 Å mainly along a-axis causing high thermal expansion in this direction; Li temperature factors are multiplied by 4 on heating. Rigid boron-oxygen groups in LiB₃O₅ remain practically stable on heating similar to α-Na₂B₈O₁₃ and α-CsB₅O₈. At the same time these groups rotate relative to each other like hinges leading to extremely anisotropic thermal expansion (α_a=101, α_b=31, α_c=−71, α_v=60×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹, 20-530 °C, HTXRPD data).     

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.     

Structure and conductivity of strontium-doped cerium orthovanadates Ce1−xSrxVO4 (0≤x≤0.175)

A-site substituted cerium orthovanadates, Ce_1−xSr_xVO₄, were synthesised by solid-state reactions. It was found that the solid solution limit in Ce_1−xSr_xVO₄ is at x=0.175. The crystal structure was analysed by X-ray diffraction and it exhibits a tetragonal zircon structure of space group I4₁/amd (1 4 1) with a=7.3670 (3) and c=6.4894 (1) Å for Ce_0.825Sr_0.175VO₄. The UV-vis absorption spectra indicated that the compounds have band gaps at room temperature in the range 4.5-4.6 eV. Conductivity measurements were performed for the first time up to the strontium solid solution limit in air and in dry 5% H₂/Ar with conductivity values at 600 °C ranging from 0.3 to 30 mS cm⁻¹ in air to 30-45 mS cm⁻¹ in reduced atmosphere. Sample Ce_0.825Sr_0.175VO₄ is redox stable at a temperature below 600 °C although the conductivity is not high enough to be used as an electrode for solid oxide fuel cells.     

Structure and electron density analysis of electrochemically and chemically delithiated LiCoO2 single crystals

Single crystals of Li_0.68CoO₂, Li_0.48CoO₂, and Li_0.35CoO₂ were successfully synthesized for the first time by means of electrochemical and chemical delithiation processes using LiCoO₂ single crystals as a parent compound. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study confirmed the trigonal R3¯m space group and the hexagonal lattice parameters a=2.8107(5) Å, c=14.2235(6) Å, and c/a=5.060 for Li_0.68CoO₂; a=2.8090(15) Å, c=14.3890(17) Å, and c/a=5.122 for Li_0.48CoO₂; and a=2.8070(12) Å, c=14.4359(14) Å, and c/a=5.143 for Li_0.35CoO₂. The crystal structures were refined to the conventional values R=1.99% and wR=1.88% for Li_0.68CoO₂; R=2.40% and wR=2.58% for Li_0.48CoO₂; and R=2.63% and wR=2.56% for Li_0.35CoO₂. The oxygen-oxygen contact distance in the CoO₆ octahedron was determined to be shortened by the delithiation from 2.6180(9) Å in LiCoO₂ to 2.5385(15) Å in Li_0.35CoO₂. The electron density distributions of these Li_xCoO₂ crystals were analyzed by the maximum entropy method (MEM) using the present single-crystal X-ray diffraction data at 300 K. From the results of the single-crystal MEM, strong covalent bonding was clearly visible between the Co and O atoms, while no bonding was found around the Li atoms in these compounds. The gradual decrease in the electron density at the Li site upon delithiation could be precisely analyzed.     

Synthesis, structure and physical properties of the new uranium ternary phase U3Co2Ge7

A new ternary compound, U₃Co₂Ge₇, has been synthesized from the corresponding elements by a high temperature reaction using molten tin flux. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic La₃Co₂Sn₇-type (Pearson's symbol oC24, space group Cmmm, No. 65) with lattice parameters determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction as follows: a=4.145(2) Å; b=24.920(7); c=4.136(2) Å, V=427.2(3) Å³. Structure refinements confirm an ordered structure having two crystallographically inequivalent uranium atoms, occupying sites with dissimilar coordination. U₃Co₂Ge₇ orders ferromagnetically below 40 K and undergoes a consecutive magnetic transition at 20 K. These results have been obtained from temperature- and field-dependent magnetization, resistivity and heat-capacity measurements. The estimated Sommerfeld coefficient γ=87 mJ/mol-U K² suggests U₃Co₂Ge₇ to be a moderately heavy-fermion material.     

Crystal chemistry and crystallography of the SrR2CuO5 (R=lanthanides) phases

The crystal chemistry and crystallography of the compounds SrR₂CuO₅ (Sr-121, R=lanthanides) were investigated using the powder X-ray Rietveld refinement technique. Among the 11 compositions studied, only R=Dy and Ho formed the stable SrR₂CuO₅ phase. SrR₂CuO₅ was found to be isostructural with the “green phase”, BaR₂CuO₅. The basic structure is orthorhombic with space group Pnma. The lattice parameters for SrDyCuO₅ are a=12.08080(6) Å, b=5.60421(2) Å, c=7.12971(3) Å, V=482.705(4) Å³, and Z=8; and for the Ho analog are a=12.03727(12) Å, b=5.58947(7) Å, c=7.10169(7) Å, V=477.816(9) Å³, and Z=8. In the SrR₂CuO₅ structure, each R is surrounded by seven oxygen atoms, forming a monocapped trigonal prism (RO₇). The isolated CuO₅ group forms a distorted square pyramid. Consecutive layers of prisms are stacked in the b-direction. Bond valence calculations imply that residual strain is largely responsible for the narrow stability of the SrR₂CuO₅ phases with R=Dy and Ho only. X-ray powder reference diffraction patterns for SrDy₂CuO₅ and SrHo₂CuO₅ were determined.     

Crystal growth, structure determination, and optical properties of new potassium-rare-earth silicates K3RESi2O7 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Single crystals of K₃RESi₂O₇ (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were grown from a potassium fluoride flux. Two different structure types were found for this series. Silicates containing the larger rare earths, RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb crystallize in a structure K₃RESi₂O₇ that contains the rare-earth cation in both a slightly distorted octahedral and an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment, while in K₃LuSi₂O₇, containing the smallest of the rare earths, lutetium is found solely in an octahedral coordination environment. The structure of K₃LuSi₂O₇ crystallizes in space group P6₃/mmc with a=5.71160(10) Å and c=13.8883(6) Å. The structures containing the remaining rare earths crystallize in the space group P6₃/mcm with the lattice parameters of a=9.9359(2) Å, c=14.4295(4) Å, (K₃GdSi₂O₇); a=9.88730(10) Å, c=14.3856(3) Å, (K₃TbSi₂O₇); a=9.8673(2) Å, c=14.3572(4) Å, (K₃DySi₂O₇); a=9.8408(3) Å, c=14.3206(6) Å, (K₃HoSi₂O₇); a=9.82120(10) Å, c=14.2986(2) Å, (K₃ErSi₂O₇); a=9.80200(10) Å, c=14.2863(4) Å, (K₃TmSi₂O₇); a=9.78190(10) Å, c=14.2401(3) Å, (K₃YbSi₂O₇). The optical properties of the silicates were investigated and K₃TbSi₂O₇ was found to fluoresce in the visible.     

Synthesis and structure of a 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H3N(CH2)6NH3][B7O10(OH)3]

A new 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃][B₇O₁₀(OH)₃] (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n with a=8.042(2) Å, b=20.004(4) Å, c=10.103(2) Å, and β=90.42(3)°. The anionic [B₇O₁₀(OH)₃]_n²ⁿ⁻ layers are interlinked via hydrogen bonding to form a 3D supramolecular network containing large channels, in which the templated [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃]²⁺ cations are located.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.