Ca3GeO4Cl2 with a norbergite‐like structure

The title compound, tricalcium monogermanate dichloride, is orthorhombic and consists of one distinct Ge site on special position 4c, site symmetry m, and two different Ca sites, Ca1 and Ca2, one on general position 8d, site symmetry 1, and the other on special position 4c. Two of the O atoms occupy the 4c position (symmetry m); the third O atom is situated on the general 8d position, symmetry 1, as is the one distinct Cl position. By sharing common edges, the distorted Ca1 octahedra form infinite crankshaft‐like chains parallel to the b direction. Along a and c, these chains are connected to one another via common corners, thereby forming a three‐dimensional framework of edge‐ and corner‐sharing Ca1O₄Cl₂ octahedra. Triangular prisms of Ca2O₄Cl₂ polyhedra and GeO₄ tetrahedra fill the interstitial space within the Ca1 polyhedral framework. Relationships between the structures of the title compound and the humite‐type materials norbergite (Mg₃SiO₄F₂) and Mn₃SiO₄F₂ are discussed.     

Ba3Li2V2O7Cl4, a new vanadate with a channel structure

The tribarium dilithium divanadate tetrachloride Ba₃Li₂V₂O₇Cl₄ is a new vanadate with a channel structure and the first known vanadate containing both Ba and Li atoms. The structure contains four non‐equivalent Ba²⁺ sites (two with m and two with 2/m site symmetry), two Li⁺ sites, two nonmagnetic V⁵⁺ sites, five O²⁻ sites (three with m site symmetry) and four Cl⁻ sites (m site symmetry). One type of Li atom lies in LiO₄ tetrahedra (m site symmetry) and shares corners with VO₄ tetrahedra to form eight‐tetrahedron Li₃V₅O₂₄ rings and six‐tetrahedron Li₂V₄O₁₈ rings; these rings are linked within porous layers parallel to the ab plane and contain Ba²⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. The other Li atoms are located on inversion centres and form isolated chains of face‐sharing LiCl₆ octahedra.     

Lu2SiO5 by single‐crystal X‐ray and neutron diffraction

The structure of dilutetium silicon pentaoxide, Lu₂SiO₅, has isolated ionic SiO₄ tetrahedral units and non‐Si‐bonded O atoms in distorted OLu₄ tetrahedra. The OLu₄ tetrahedra form edge‐sharing infinite chains and double O₂Lu₆ tetrahedra along the c axis. The edge‐sharing chains are connected to the O₂Lu₆ double tetrahedra by isolated SiO₄ units. The structure has been determined by neutron diffraction.     

Neue Thiophosphate: Die Verbindungen Li6Ln3(PS4)5 (Ln: Y,Gd, Dy,Yb, Lu) und Ag3Y(PS4)2

New Thiophosphates: The Compounds Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) and Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ The new thiophosphates Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) were synthesized by heating mixtures of Ln, P, S, and Li₂S₄ at 900 °C (100 h) and they were investigated by single crystal X‐ray methods. The compounds with Ln = Y (a = 28.390(2), b = 10.068(1), c = 33.715(2) Å, β = 113.85(1)°), Gd (a = 28.327(2), b = 10.074(1), c = 33.822(2) Å, β = 114.297(7)°), Dy (a = 28.124(6), b = 10.003(2), c = 33.486(7) Å, β = 113.89(3)°), Yb (a = 28.178(3), b = 9.977(1), c = 33.392(4) Å, β = 113.65(1)°), and Lu (a = 28.169(6), b = 10.002(2), c = 33.432(7) Å, β = 113.54(3)°) are isotypic and crystallize in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 12). Main feature are PS₄ tetrahedra isolated from each other surrounding the Ln and Li atoms via their S atoms. The coordination number of the five crystallographically independent Ln atoms is eight, but the polyhedra are quite different and they are interlinked to larger units extending in [010]. The environment of the Li atoms is irregular and formed by five to six S atoms. The crystal structure is compared with that of Li₉Ln₂(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Nd, Gd). For the synthesis of Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ (a = 16.874(3), b = 9.190(2), c = 9.312(2) Å, β = 123.17(3)°) a mixture of Y, P, S, and Ag₂S was heated to 700 °C (50 h). The thiophosphate crystallizes in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 4) composed of isolated PS₄ tetrahedra. The two crystallographically independent Ag atoms are surrounded by four S atoms in the shape of distorted tetrahedra. The Ag(1)S₄ polyhedra are cornershared to strands running along [001], which are linked together via Ag(2)S₄ tetrahedra. The environment of the Y atoms is composed of eight S atoms each building distorted square antiprisms. These polyhedra are connected with each other via common edges to a strand running along [001].     

Strontium magnesium phosphate,Sr2+xMg3−xP4O15 (x∼ 0.36), from laboratory X‐ray powder data

The previously unknown crystal structure of strontium magnesium phosphate, Sr_2+xMg_3−xP₄O₁₅ (x∼ 0.36), determined and refined from laboratory powder X‐ray diffraction data, represents a new structure type. The title compound was synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and it crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. It was earlier thought to be stoichiometric Sr₂Mg₃P₄O₁₅, but our structural study indicates the nonstoichiometric composition. The asymmetric unit contains one Sr (site symmetry ..m on special position 8g), one M (= Mg 64%/Sr 36%; site symmetry 2/m.. on special position 4b), one Mg (site symmetry 2.. on special position 8e), two P (site symmetry m.. on special position 8f and site symmetry ..m on special position 8g), and six O sites [two on general positions 16h, two on 8g, one on 8f and one on special position 4c (site symmetry m2m)]. The nonstoichiometry is due to the mixing of magnesium and strontium ions on the M site. The structure consists of three‐dimensional networks of MgO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra, and MO₆ octahedra with the other strontium ions occupying the larger cavities surrounded by ten O atoms. All the polyhedra are connected by corner‐sharing except the edge‐sharing MO₆ octahedra forming one‐dimensional arrangements along [001].     

Ca7.96Cu0.04Ge5O18: a new calcium germanate with GeO4 and Ge3O10 units

The title compound, octa­calcium copper penta­germanium octa­deca­oxide, represents a new inter­mediate phase between CaO and GeO₂, and has not previously been reported in the literature. The structure consists of three different Ge sites, two of them on general 8d positions, site symmetry 1, one on special position 4d, site symmetry 2. Three of the five Ca sites occur on 8d positions, site symmtery 1, one Ca is on 4b with site symmetry and one Ca is on 4c with site symmetry 2. All nine O atoms have symmetry 1 (8d position). By sharing common edges, the Ca sites form infinite bands parallel to the c axis, and these bands are inter­connected by isolated GeO₄ and Ge₃O₁₀ units. These (100) layers are stacked along a in an ABAB… sequence, with the B layer being inverted and displaced along b/2.     

Li2Sr4Al2Ta2N8O,a Nitridoalumotantalate with BCT‐Zeolite Type Structure

Li₂Sr₄Al₂Ta₂N₈O was synthesized from Li₃AlN₂, Sr(NH₂)₂, LiN₃, and lithium metal as fluxing agent in weld shut tantalum crucibles. Single crystals were obtained as byproduct from reaction with the ampoule material. The crystal structure (P2₁/n (no. 14), a = 9.4081(19), b = 10.012(2), c = 5.9832(12) Å, β = 93.44(3)°, Z = 2) was solved on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Li₂Sr₄Al₂Ta₂N₈O is built up of vertex sharing AlN₄ and TaN₄ tetrahedra, forming a BCT‐zeolite type structure with Sr²⁺ ions and molecular Li₂O units incorporated into the voids. Lattice energy calculations (MAPLE) confirmed the electrostatic bonding interactions and the chemical composition.     

Accessibility of Lithium Cations in VSH-2 Zeotype: Structural Effects and Formation of Protonated Water Clusters

The accessibility of lithium cations in microporous vanadosilicate VSH-2Cs of composition Cs₂(VO)(Si₆O₁₄) ⋅ 3H₂O was investigated by Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory calculations. The topological symmetry of VSH-2Cs is described in space group Cmca. After Li-ion exchange, the structure of VSH-2Li adopted monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/c) with a=17.011(2) Å, b=8.8533(11) Å, c=12.4934(16) Å, β=91.677(4)°, V=1880.7(4) ų. The strong interactions between Li ions and oxygen-framework atoms drive the main deformation mechanism, which is based on cooperative rotation of SiO₄ and VO₅ units around their oxygen atoms that behave as hinges. Exchange of Cs⁺ by Li⁺ is incomplete and accompanied by the formation of protonated species to counterbalance the electrostatic charge. The incorporation of protons is mediated by the presence of water dimers in the structural channels. H₂O molecules in VSH-2Li account not only as “space-fillers” after the removal of large Cs ions but also mediate proton transfer to compensate the negative charge of the host vanadosilicate framework.     

Synthesis,Magnetism, and Crystal Structure of Li2Fe[(PO4)(HPO4)] and its Hydrogen Position Refinement

Lithium iron(III) monophosphate-monohydrogen-monophosphate, Li₂Fe[(PO₄)(HPO₄)], was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Crystallographic data: monoclinic, P12₁/n1 (no. 14), a = 4.8142(2) Å, b = 7.9898(4) Å, c = 7.4868(4) Å, β = 104.398(3)°, V = 278.93(2) ų, Z = 2, D_x = 3.104 g · cm^-3. The structure is characterized by FeO₆ octahedra sharing common O-corners with six neighbouring PO₄ tetrahedra to form a three-dimensional framework. Lithium cations are located within channels running along [100]. The channels are formed by eight-membered rings resulting from the connection of alternating FeO₆ octahedra (4×) and phosphate tetrahedra (4×). High-resolution diffraction data allowed to refine a split model for the position of the hydrogen atom. Magnetization data confirm the valence state 3+ for iron and detect an antiferromagnetic ordering of the iron moments below 23.6 K. Thermal decomposition of the compound was investigated by DTA/TG methods.     

Preparation and crystal structure of Li2CaSiO4 and isostructural Li2CaGeO4

Li₂CaSiO₄ and Li₂CaGeO₄ are isostructural. They have body-centered tetragonal unit cells, with dimensions a = 5.047 ± 0.005, c = 6.486 ± 0.006 Å, and a = 5.141 ± 0.002, c = 6.595 ± 0.002 Å, respectively, and space group $\text{I}\text{4}\text{2m}$. Their crystal structures, refined to R = 0.076 and 0.051, respectively, comprise columns, parallel to [001], of alternating (CaO₈) dodecahedra and (SiO₄) [or (GeO₄)] tetrahedra that are linked by sharing edges. Neighboring columns are joined at their corners to form a three-dimensional network, enclosing channels parallel to [001] that contain lithium. The lithium atoms are in distorted (LiO₄) tetrahedra joined at the corners to form sheets perpendicular to [001].     

Yttrium pyrogermanate,Y2Ge2O7

The structure of diyttrium digermanate, Y₂Ge₂O₇, has been determined in the tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2. It contains one Y, one Ge (both site symmetry 1 on general position 8b) and four O atoms [one on special position 4a (site symmetry ..2) and the remaining three on general positions 8b]. The basic units of the structure are isolated Ge₂O₇ groups, sharing one common O atom and displaying a Ge—O—Ge angle of 134.9 (3)°, and infinite helical chains of pentagonal YO₇ dipyramids, parallel to the 4₃ screw axis. The crystal investigated here represents the left‐handed form of the tetragonal R₂Ge₂O₇ compounds (R = Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Lu³⁺).     

Chromium‐based clinopyroxene‐type germanates NaCrGe2O6 and LiCrGe2O6 at 298 K

The structure analyses of sodium chromium digermanate, NaCrGe₂O₆, (I), and lithium chromium digermanate, LiCrGe₂O₆, (II), provide important structural information for the clinopyroxene family, and form part of our ongoing studies on the phase transitions and magnetic properties of clinopyroxenes. (I) shows C2/c symmetry at 298 K, contains one Na, one Cr (both site symmetry 2 on special position 4e), one Ge and three O‐atom positions (on general positions 8f) and displays the well known clinopyroxene topology. The basic units of the structure of (I) are infinite zigzag chains of edge‐sharing Cr³⁺O₆ octahedra (M1 site), infinite chains of corner‐sharing GeO₄ tetrahedra, connected to the M1 chains by common corners, and Na sites occupying interstitial space. (II) was found to have P2₁/c symmetry at 298 K. The structure contains one Na, one Cr, two distinct Ge and six O‐atom positions, all on general positions 4e. The general topology of the structure of (II) is similar to that of (I); however, the loss of the twofold symmetry makes it possible for two distinct tetrahedral chains, having different conformation states, to exist. While sodium is (6+2)‐fold coordinated, lithium displays a pure sixfold coordination. Structural details are given and chemical comparison is made between silicate and germanate chromium‐based clinopyroxenes.     

LiBaAlF6 and the crystal chemistry of LiAIIBIIIF6 phases

Lithium barium hexafluoroaluminate (LBAF), LiBaAlF₆, is a new member of the large family of compounds of formula LiA^IIB^IIIF₆. These materials display a variety of structures depending on the sizes of the A and B cations. LiBaAlF₆, which is isomorphous with LiBaCoF₆, belongs to the monoclinic P2₁/c subset and has a three‐dimensional network structure consisting of distorted LiF₄³⁻ tetrahedra corner‐sharing with AlF₆³⁻ octahedra and BaF₁₂ polyhedra. All of the atoms reside on general positions. An analysis of the ionic radii of the A cations versus formula volumes for the known members of the family yields a structure map that reasonably segregates the compounds by space group. The data obtained are thus suitable for predicting new isomorphic crystal structures.     

K3TaF8 from laboratory X‐ray powder data

The crystal structure of tripotassium octafluoridotantalate, K₃TaF₈, determined from laboratory powder diffraction data by the simulated annealing method and refined by total energy minimization in the solid state, is built from discrete potassium cations, fluoride anions and monocapped trigonal–prismatic [TaF₇]²⁻ ions. All six atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions of the P6₃mc space group: the Ta and one F atom in the 2b (3m) sites, the K and two F atoms in the 6c (m) sites, and one F atom in the 2a (3m) site. The structure consists of face‐sharing K₆ octahedra with a fluoride anion at the center of each octahedron, forming chains of composition [FK₃]²⁺ running along [001] with isolated [TaF₇]²⁻ trigonal prisms in between. The structure of the title compound is different from the reported structure of Na₃TaF₈ and represents a new structure type.     

Magnesium perchlorate anhydrate,Mg(ClO4)2, from laboratory X‐ray powder data

The previously unknown crystal structure of magnesium perchlorate anhydrate, determined and refined from laboratory X‐ray powder diffraction data, represents a new structure type. The title compound was obtained by heating magnesium perchlorate hexahydrate at 523 K for 2 h under vacuum and it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. The asymmetric unit contains one Mg (site symmetry on special position 2a), one Cl and four O sites (on general positions 4e). The structure consists of a three‐dimensional network resulting from the corner‐sharing of MgO₆ octahedra and ClO₄ tetrahedra. Each MgO₆ octahedron share corners with six ClO₄ tetrahedra. Each ClO₄ tetrahedron shares corners with three MgO₆ octahedra, with one O‐atom corner dangling. The ClO₄ tetrahedra are oriented in such a way that one‐dimensional channels parallel to [100] are formed between the dangling O atoms.     

Dipotassium trimanganese(II) tetrakis(hydrogenphosphite), K2[Mn3(HPO3)4]

The title compound is a new mixed alkali/3d metal phosphite. It exhibits a layered structure formed by linear Mn₃O₁₂ trimer units which contain face‐sharing MnO₆ octahedra interconnected by (HPO₃)²⁻ phosphite oxoanions. The K⁺ cations located between the anionic [Mn₃(HPO₃)₄]²⁻ sheets are ninefold coordinated. The presence of the alkaline ion leads to the highest symmetry and shortest interlayer distance compared with two previous compounds showing the same anionic framework and having ammonium salts as cations. The compound crystallizes in the space group Rm, with two crystallographically independent Mn atoms occupying sites of m and 3m symmetry. All the other atoms, except for the phosphite O atoms, are located on special positions with 3m symmetry.     

Halogenide der Seltenerdmetalle Ln4X5Z. Teil 3: Das Chlorid La4Cl5B4 – Präparation,Struktur und Verwandtschaft zu La4Br5B4, La4I5B4

Rare Earth Halides Ln₄X₅Z. Part 3: The Chloride La₄Cl₅B₄ – Preparation, Structure, and Relation to La₄Br₅B₄, La₄I₅B₄ La₄Cl₅B₄ is synthesized by reaction of LaCl₃, La metal and boron in sealed Ta containers at 1050 °C < T < 1350 °C. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with a = 16.484(3) Å, b = 4.263(1) Å, c = 9.276(2) Å and β = 120.06(3)°. Ce₄Cl₅B₄ is isotypic, a = 16.391(3) Å, b = 4.251(1) Å, c = 9.180(2) Å and β = 120.20(3)°. The La atoms form strings of trans-edge shared La octahedra, and the B atoms inside the strings form B₄-rhomboids, which are condensed to chains via opposite corners. The Cl atoms interconnect the channels according to La₂La_4/2Clⁱ⁻ⁱ_6/2Cl^i−a_2/2Cl^a−i_2/2. The crystal structures of the bromide and the iodide are comparabel, however, the interconnection of the strings is different in the three structure types, as 14 Cl, 13 Br and 12 I atoms surround the La₆ octahedra.     

Substitutional and positional disorder in Sr2.88Cu3.12(PO4)4

The title compound, a hydrothermally synthesized strontium copper(II) phosphate(V) (2.88/3.12/4), is isotypic with Sr₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄, obtained previously by solid‐state reaction, but not with Sr₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄, obtained previously by the hydrothermal method. A surplus of copper was observed by both structural and chemical analysis, and the formula obtained by the structural analysis is in full agreement with results of the EDX (energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction) analysis. The structure consists of layers of Cu₃O₁₂ groups which are linked via the PO₄ tetrahedra. The Cu₃O₁₂ groups are formed by one Cu1O₄ and two Cu2O₅ coordination polyhedra sharing corners. The central Cu1 atom of the Cu₃O₁₂ group is located at an inversion centre (special position 2a). The unique structural feature of the title compound is the presence of 12% Cu in the Sr1 site (special position 2b, site symmetry ). Moreover, disordered Sr2 atoms were observed: a main site (Sr2a, 90%) and a less occupied site (Sr2b, 10%) are displaced by 0.48 (3) Å along the b axis. Such substitutional and positional disorder was not observed previously in similar compounds.     

Crystal Structure Determination of Tetrabarium‐digalliumoxide,Ba4Ga2O7

Single crystals of a new barium oxogallate were obtained by growth from a melt at 1500 °C. The compound is monoclinic, with cell parameters a = 17.7447(10) Å, b = 10.6719(5) Å, c = 7.2828(5) Å, β = 98.962(7)°, V = 1362.3(2) ų. The diffraction pattern shows systematic absences corresponding to the space group P12₁/c1. The structure was solved by direct methods followed by Fourier syntheses, and refined using a single crystal diffraction data set (R1 = 0.032 for 2173 reflections with I > 2σ(I)). The chemical composition derived from structure solution is Ba₄Ga₂O₇, with a unit cell content of Z = 6. Main building units of the structure are GaO₄ tetrahedra sharing one oxygen atom to form Ga₂O₇ groups. The Ga–O–Ga bridging angle of one of the two symmetrically independent groups is linear by symmetry. The dimers are crosslinked by barium cations coordinated by six to eight oxygen ligands.     

Synthesis,Structure Characterization,and Optical Properties of the Aluminosilicate Li2Na3AlSi2O8

The aluminosilicate Li₂Na₃AlSi₂O₈ was crystallized from the Li₂CO₃–H₃BO₃ flux system. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmca, with cell dimensions a = 14.1045 (19) Å, b = 14.7054 (19) Å, c = 7.0635 (9) Å, and Z = 8. The crystal structure consists of a two‐dimensional infinite layer, which is composed of [Al₂Si₂O₁₂] groups and [SiO₄] tetrahedra. The lithium and sodium atoms filling in the interlayer and intralayer link the layers together and balance the charge. IR spectroscopy and BVS calculations were used to verify the validity of the structure. The calculated band structures and the density of states of Li₂Na₃AlSi₂O₈ suggest that its direct gap is 4.28 eV.