Detailed analysis of the L3M4,5M4,5; 1G4 Auger transition in atomic zinc: Improved Auger energy calculations

A hitherto neglected relaxation term is introduced in the calculation of Auger electron energies. The agreement between the theoretical L₃M_4,5M_4,5; ¹G₄ Auger energy in atomic zinc and the experimental value of Aksela and Aksela is excellent. Relaxation energies are determined by means of OHFS hole state calculations.     

Study of M4,5N4,5N4,5 auger energy shifts of Cs and I in free CsI molecules

High-resolution electron beam excited M_4,5N_4,5N_4,5 Auger electron spectra of Cs and I have been measured from CsI vapour. The Auger energies of both Cs and I observed from gaseous CsI are higher than the corresponding free-atom energies due to extra-atomic relaxation. The molecular Auger results have been compared with corresponding photoelectron measurements and free-atom data. Estimates for extra-atomic relaxation energies have been extracted from the changes of the Auger parameter between molecular and atomic species and from the difference between experimental energies and energies calculated with a relativistic Dirac-Fock program, applying the point-charge model for the CsI molecule.     

Oxygen analysis of O2MF6 and O2M2F11 salts

The dioxygenyl salts O₂MF₆ or O₂M₂F₁₁ where M = As, Sb, Bi, Nb, Ta, Ru, Au, and Pt, were hydrolysed aqueous base (40% NaOH) to evaluate their purity and to gain further information about their thermal instability. Compounds containing As, Sb, Bi, Nb and Ta yielded 1.25 moles O₂ per mole of starting material whereas for compounds containing Ru, Au and Pt, 1.5 moles of O₂ per mole of salt was produced. The difference is a consequence of the greater oxidizing power of the RuF^-₆, AuF^-₆ and PtF^-₆ anions. All of the dioxygenyl salts are intrinsically unstable at room temperature in vacuum.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel tin and titanium potassium silicates K4M2Si6O18

The synthesis of a new potassium titanosilicate, K₄Ti₂Si₆O₁₈ (Ti-AV-11), possessing the crystal structure of potassium stannosilicate AV-11, has been reported. The unit cell of this material is trigonal, space group R3 (no. 146), Z=3, a=10.012, c=14.8413 Å, γ=120°, V=1289 Å³. The structure of AV-11 is built up of MO₆ (M=Sn, Ti) octahedra and SiO₄ tetrahedra by sharing corners. The SiO₄ tetrahedra form helix chains, periodically repeating every six tetrahedra. These chains extend along the [001] direction and are linked by isolated MO₆ octahedra, thus producing a mixed octahedral-tetrahedral oxide framework. AV-11 materials have been further characterized by bulk chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy.     

Antimony(V) catecholato complexes based on 4,5-dialkylsubstituted o-benzoquinone. The spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. Crystal structure of [Ph4Sb][Ph2Sb(4,5-Cat)2]

Triphenylantimony(III) and triethylantimony(III) readily react with 4,5-(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-butane-1,4-diyl)-o-benzoquinone to form catecholato complexes R₃Sb(4,5-Cat) (R = Ph (1), Et (2); 4,5-Cat is dianionic 4,5-(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-butane-1,4-diyl)-catecholate). In polar solvents (CHCl₃, acetone) complex 1 transforms easily to ionic complex compound [Ph₄Sb]⁺[Ph₂Sb(4,5-Cat)₂]⁻ (3) with diphenyl-bis-[4,5-(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-butane-1,4-diyl)-catecholato]antimony(V) complex anion. Complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammometry. Molecular structure of 3·CHCl₃ was confirmed by X-ray analysis. Cyclic voltammometry of 1 and 3 shows that both complexes undergo reversible one-electron oxidation to quite stable paramagnetic o-semiquinonato species [Ph₃Sb(4,5-SQ)]⁺ and [Ph₂Sb(4,5-SQ)(4,5-Cat)] (0.75 and 0.49 V in CH₂Cl₂ vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl, respectively).     

Hg2M2F6S et Hg2M2F6O: Deux nouvelles familles de pyrochlores contenant du mercure et des métaux M de transition divalents

New pyrochlore compounds Hg₂M₂F₆S (M = Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Mg) and Hg₂M₂F₆O (M = Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mg) have been prepared and characterized. They all have a cubic structure (Fd3m) except Hg₂Cu₂F₆O, which shows a tetragonal distortion. Refinement of crystal structures of five compounds from powder diffractometer intensities leads to a positional parameter x(48f) lying from 0.315 to 0.319. The evolution of interatomic distances and independance of two networks (Hg₂X′)²⁺ and (M₂F₆)^2? are examined.     

X-ray photoelectron emission studies of mixed selenides AgGaSe2 and Ag9GaSe6

Auger and direct electron specta from crystalline AgGaSe₂ and Ag₉GaSe₆ have been studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that the AgM₅N_4,5N_4,5 and M₄N_4,5N_4,5 Auger spectra are more sensitive to the chemical environment than the Ag 3d direct photoelectron spectra. Furthermore the Auger parameter as defined by Wagner is used in order to characterize the chemical state of these compounds. Last, the XPS spectra of the valence-band region are investigated and chalcogen s and p and noble-metal d bands are clearly identified. The electronic structure of these two selenides does not seem to be determined predominantly by the crystal structure. As a whole, the spectral features are discussed in connection with the character of the chemical bonding and the physical properties of these compounds.     

Structure of two new borates YCa3(AlO)3(BO3)4 and YCa3(GaO)3(BO3)4

By replacing Mn in YCa₃(MnO)₃(BO₃)₄ with trivalent Al and Ga, two new borates with the compositions of YCa₃(MO)₃(BO₃)₄ (M=Al, Ga) were prepared by solid-state reaction. Structure refinements from X-ray powder diffraction data revealed that both of them are isostructural to gaudefroyite with a hexagonal space group P6₃/m. Cell parameters of a=10.38775(13)Å, c=5.69198(10)Å for the Al-containing compound and a=10.5167(3)Å, c=5.8146(2)Å for the Ga analog were obtained from the refinements. The structure is constituted of AlO₆ or GaO₆ octahedral chains interconnected by BO₃ groups in the ab plane to form a Kagomé-type lattice, leaving trigonal and apatite-like tunnels. It is found that most rare-earth and Cr, Mn ions can be substituted into the Y³⁺ and M³⁺ sites, respectively, and the preference of rare-earth ions to locate in the trigonal tunnel is correlated to the sizes of the M³⁺ ions.     

The stereochemistry of Tutton's salts X2[M(H2O)6](YO4)2

Neutron structure determinations have been made of Tutton's salts, X₂[M(H₂O)₆] (YO₄)₂, where Y = Se, X = K⁺, M = Cu²⁺; Y = S, X = K⁺, M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; X = Rb⁺, Cs⁺, M = Cu²⁺. This work has shown that there are extensive hydrogen networks with almost linear hydrogen bonds from [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ to (YO₄)^2?. The (H … O) distance increases in the Cu²⁺ series for X = K⁺ to Cs⁺ but there is no difference for the potassium copper salts when Y = Se or S. Three different distorted [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra were found in the series (orthorhombic, tetragonal with two long and four short, or four long and two short bonds). The interatomic distances from X⁺ to the neighboring O in a distorted XO₈⁺ dodecahedron increases with increased cation size, implying that the X⁺ polyhedron is maintaining its shape.     

Ordre local dans quelques verres fluores du systeme PbF2MIItF2MIIItF3 par EXAFS

The local environment of transition metal (M_t) and lead has been studied by EXAFS for some fluoride glasses in the system PbF₂M^II_tF₂M^III_tF₃ (M^II_t = Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺; M^III_t = Fe³⁺, Ga³⁺). Theoretical phase shifts and backscattering amplitude are used after testing with crystallized fluorides of various structures. Transition metals are sixfold coordinated and M_tF distances are very close to those known in crystallized compounds. Lead has eight to nine fluorine neighbors forming a very distorted polyhedra. Radial distributions, partially corrected for phase shifts, show a very weak second peak but the second neighbors nature and the distances cannot be determined without ambiguity.     

Phase equilibrium relations in the binary systems LiPO3CeP3O9 and NaPO3CeP3O9

The LiPO₃CeP₃O₉ and NaPO₃CeP₃O₉ systems have been investigated for the first time by DTA, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. Each system forms a single 1:1 compound. LiCe(PO₃)₄ melts in a peritectic reaction at 980°C. NaCe(PO₃)₄ melts incongruently, too, at 865°C. These compounds have a monoclinic unit cell with the parameters: a = 16.415(6), b = 7,042(6), c = 9.772(7)Å; β = 126.03(5)°; Z = 4; space group $\text{C}{}_2\text{c}$ for LiCe (PO₃)₄; and a = 9.981(4), b = 13.129(6), c = 7.226(5) Å, β = 89.93(4)°, Z = 4, space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{n}$ for NaCe(PO₃)₄. It is established that both compounds are mixed polyphosphates with chain structure of the type |M^I_IM^III_II (PO₃)₄|_∞M^I_I: alkali metal, M^III_II: rare earth.     

Vibrational spectra of cyclooctatetraenyl alkali metal complexes [C8H8M2 (M = Na, K)]: A theoretical study

The cyclooctatetraenyl dianion (C₈H₈²⁻) π-conjugated system forms a stable complex system with alkali and some transition metals. The results of vibrational analysis for C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K) complexes were reported here. The geometries of C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K) were optimized using ab initio (HF, MP2, CCSD(T)) and DFT (B3LYP) methods with 6-311G** and 6-311++G** basis sets and the harmonic frequencies were obtained. To reproduce and compare with the experimental values the structurally similar molecules C₅H₅M (M = Na, K) and benzene were studied. The scale factors obtained from these systems were applied to predict the experimental frequencies of C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K). The force field and vibrational spectra are analyzed and the most probable assignments are proposed for all the fundamentals based on the potential energy distribution.     

High-temperature synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure determination and solid-state NMR investigations of Ba7[SiO4][BO3]3CN and Sr7[SiO4][BO3]3CN

The novel alkaline earth silicate borate cyanides Ba₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN and Sr₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN have been obtained by the reaction of the respective alkaline earth metals M=Sr, Ba, the carbonates M^IICO₃, BN, and SiO₂ using a radiofrequency furnace at a maximum reaction temperature of 1350°C and 1450°C, respectively. The crystal structures of the isotypic compounds M^II₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (P6₃mc (no. 186), Z=2, a=1129.9(1) pm, c=733.4(2) pm, R₁=0.0336, wR₂=0.0743 for M^II=Ba and a=1081.3(1) pm, c=695.2(1) pm, R₁=0.0457, wR₂=0.0838 for M^II=Sr). Both ionic compounds represent a new structure type, and they are the first examples of silicate borate cyanides. The cyanide ions are disordered and they are surrounded by Ba²⁺/Sr²⁺ octahedra, respectively. These octahedra share common faces building chains along [001]. The [BO₃]³⁻ ions are arranged around these chains. The [SiO₄]⁴⁻ units are surrounded by Ba²⁺/Sr²⁺ tetrahedra, respectively. The title compounds additionally have been investigated by ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, and ¹H MAS-NMR as well as IR and Raman spectroscopy confirming the presence of [SiO₄]⁴⁻, [BO₃]³⁻, and CN⁻ ions.     

The preparation of hot-pressed chalcogenide spinels. II. Stoichiometry and optical transparency in CdCr2S4 and CoCr2S4

The compounds CdCr₂S₄ and CoCr₂S₄ have been hot pressed into disks that are highly transparent in the infrared. Stoichiometry has been altered by varying the $\text{Cr}{}^{\mathrm{3+}}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ ratio, where M²⁺ is Cd²⁺ or Co²⁺. The effects of nonstoichiometry on optical transmission were determined. Excess M²⁺ attenuates the transmission much more than excess Cr³⁺.     

Structural changes accompanying negative thermal expansion in Zr2(MoO4)(PO4)2

Zr₂(MoO₄)(PO₄)₂ is orthorhombic (Sc₂W₃O₁₂ structure) from 9 to at least 400 K, and shows anisotropic volume negative thermal expansion (α_a=−8.35(4)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹; α_b=3.25(3)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹; α_c=−8.27(5)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ in the range 122-400 K) similar in magnitude to A₂M₃O₁₂ (M—Mo or W) with large A³⁺. The contraction on heating is associated with a pattern of Zr-O-Mo/P bond angle changes that is somewhat similar, but not the same as that for Sc₂W₃O₁₂. On heating, the most pronounced reductions in the separation between the crystallographic positions of neighboring Zr and P are not associated with significant reductions in the corresponding Zr-O-P crystallographic bond angles, in contrast to what was seen for Sc₂W₃O₁₂.     

The crystal chemistry of the M+VO3 (M+ = Li,Na, K,NH4, Tl,Rb, and Cs) pyroxenes

The crystal structures of M⁺VO₃(M⁺ = K, NH₄, and Cs) have been refined using three-dimensional counter-diffractometer X-ray data and full-matrix least-squares methods. The structure of these compounds is characterized by a (V⁵⁺O^2?₃)^?_∞ chain extending along the c-axis (Pbcm orientation), with adjacent chains linked by the alkali metal cation. The structure may be considered as a variant of the pyroxene structure, and standard atom nomenclature is proposed in order to facilitate comparison with silicate pyroxenes. Structural variation across this series is discussed in detail and is compared with the analogous M⁺M³⁺Si₂O₆ (M⁺ = Li, Na; M³⁺ = Al, Cr, Fe, Sc, In) series.     

Cation ordering in the fluorite-like transparent conductors In4+xSn3−2xSbxO12 and In6TeO12

The cation ordering in the fluorite-like transparent conductors In_4+xSn_3−2xSb_xO₁₂ and In₆TeO₁₂, was investigated by Time of Flight Neutron Powder Diffraction and X-ray Powder Diffraction (tellurate). The structural results including atomic positions, cation distributions, metal-oxygen distances and metal-oxygen-metal angles point to a progressive cation ordering on both sites of the Tb₇O₁₂-type structure with a strong preference of the smaller 4d¹⁰ cations (Sn⁴⁺, Sb⁵⁺, Te⁶⁺) for the octahedral sites. The corresponding increase of the overall structure-bonding anisotropy is analyzed in terms of the crystal chemical properties of the OM₄ tetrahedral network of the antistructure. The relationships between the M₇O₁₂ and the M₂O₃ bixbyite-type structures are explored. Within the whole series of compositions In_4+xM_3−xO₁₂ (M=Sn, Sb, Te) there exists an increase of the symmetry gap between the more symmetrical bixbyite structure and the M₇O₁₂ type. This is tentatively correlated with the progressive weakening of thermal stability of these compositions from Sn to Te via Sb.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new layered BaNaSc(BO3)2 and BaNaY(BO3)2 orthoborates

Crystals of two new layered BaNaSc(BO₃)₂ (I) and BaNaY(BO₃)₂ (II) orthoborates are grown from the melt-solution by the spontaneous crystallization onto the platinum loop. Single crystal X-ray analysis showed that the compounds are isostructural with the space group R3¯, a=5.23944(12) and 5.3338(2) Å, and c=34.5919(11) and 35.8303(19) Å for I and II, respectively, Z=6. The distinctive feature of the structure is the close-packed composite anion-cation (Ba,Na)(BO₃) layers. The layers are combined into the base building packages of two types: {M³⁺[Ba²⁺(BO₃)³⁻]₂}⁺ and {M³⁺[Na⁺(BO₃)³⁻]₂}⁻, where M is Sc or Y. Neutral-charge two-package (four-layer) blocks are stacked by the rhombohedral principle into twelve layers of the cubic packing.     

New insight in the structure–luminescence relationships of Ca9Eu(PO4)7

The double phosphate Ca₉Eu(PO₄)₇, obtained by solid state reaction, was found to be isotypic with Ca₃(PO₄)₂, with space group R3c and unit cell parameters a=10.4546(1) Å, c=37.4050(3) Å, V=3540.67(9) Å³, Z=6. The structure parameters refined using the Rietveld method showed that europium shares positions M1, M2 and M3 with calcium, contradicting previously published Mössbauer results. Low temperature luminescence under selective excitation of Eu³⁺ in Ca₉Y_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₇ and in Ca₉Eu(PO₄)₇ samples was studied, confirming the Eu³⁺ distribution into these sites. At 10 K, ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ emission lines of Eu³⁺ were observed at 578.5, 579.5, 580.1 nm for the M3, M1 and M2 sites, respectively. High temperature X-ray powder diffraction evidenced a second-order phase transition around 573 °C.