Ternary alkali metal transition metal acetylides A2MC2 (A = Na, K; M = Pd, Pt)

Ternary transition metal acetylides A2MC2 (A = Na, K; M = Pd, Pt) can be synthesised by reaction of the respective alkali metal acetylide A2C2 with palladium or platinum in an inert atmosphere at about 350 degrees C. The crystal structures are characterised by (infinity)1[M(C2)(2/2)2-] chains, which are separated by the alkali metals (P3m1, Z = 1). The refinement of neutron powder diffraction data gave C-C = 1.263(3) A for Na2PdC2 (Na2PtC2: 1.289(4) A), which is distinctively longer than the expected value for a C-C triple bond (1.20 A). On the basis of band-structure calculations this can be attributed to a strong back-bonding from the metal into the anti-bonding orbitals of the C2 unit. This was further confirmed by Raman spectroscopic investigations, which showed that the wavenumbers of the C-C stretching vibrations in Na2PdC2 and Na2PtC2 are about 100 cm(-1) smaller than in acetylene. 13C MAS-NMR spectra demonstrated that the acetylenic C2 units in the title compounds are very different from those in acetylene. Electrical conductivity measurements and band-structure calculations showed that the black title compounds are semiconductors with a small indirect band gap (approximately 0.2 eV).     

Syntheses and characterization of six quaternary uranium chalcogenides a(2)m(4)u(6)q(17) (a = rb or cs; m = pd or pt; q = s or se)

The A(2)M(4)U(6)Q(17) compounds Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17), Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)Se(17), Rb(2)Pt(4)U(6)Se(17), Cs(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17), Cs(2)Pd(4)U(6)Se(17), and Cs(2)Pt(4)U(6)Se(17) were synthesized by the high-temperature solid-state reactions of U, M, and Q in a flux of ACl or Rb(2)S(3). These isostructural compounds crystallize in a new structure type, with two formula units in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc. This structure consists of a network of square-planar MQ(4), monocapped trigonal-prismatic UQ(7), and square-antiprismatic UQ(8) polyhedra with A atoms in the voids. Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) is a typical semiconductor, as deduced from electrical resistivity measurements. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements on single crystals of Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) show a phase transition at 13 K, the result either of antiferromagnetic ordering or of a structural phase transition. Periodic spin-polarized band structure calculations were performed on Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) with the use of the first principles DFT program VASP. Magnetic calculations included spin-orbit coupling. With U f-f correlations taken into account within the GGA+U formalism in calculating partial densities of states, the compound is predicted to be a narrow-band semiconductor with the smallest indirect and direct band gaps being 0.79 and 0.91 eV, respectively.     

Ternary early-transition-metal palladium pnictides Zr3Pd4P3, Hf3Pd4P3, HfPdSb, and Nb5Pd4P4

Several ternary palladium pnictides of the early transition metals have been prepared by arc-melting of the elemental metals and the binary pnictides ZrP, HfP, HfSb2, or NbP, and their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The phosphides M3Pd4P3 (M = Zr, Hf) adopt a new structure type (Pearson symbol oP40), crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with Z = 4 and unit cell parameters of a = 16.387(2), b = 3.8258(5), and c = 9.979(1) A for Zr3Pd4P3 and a = 16.340(2), b = 3.7867(3), and c = 9.954(1) A for Hf3Pd4P3. The antimonide HfPdSb was identified by powder X-ray diffraction (orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, a = 6.754(1) A, b = 4.204(1) A, and c = 7.701(2) A) and confirmed to be isostructural to ZrPdSb, which adopts the TiNiSi-type structure. The phosphide Nb5Pd4P4 adopts the Nb5Cu4Si4-type structure, crystallizing in the tetragonal space group I4/m with Z = 2, a = 10.306(1) A, and c = 3.6372(5) A. Coordination geometries of pentacapped pentagonal prisms for the early transition metal, tetracapped distorted tetragonal prisms for Pd, and tricapped trigonal prisms for the pnicogen are found in the three structures; tetracapped tetragonal prisms for Nb are also found in Nb5-Pd4P4. In common with many metal-rich compounds whose metal-to-nonmetal ratio is equal or close to 2:1, the variety of structures formed by these ternary palladium pnictides arises from the differing connectivity of pnicogen-filled trigonal prisms. Pnicogen-pnicogen bonds are absent in these structures, but metal-metal bonds (in addition to metal-pnicogen bonds) are important interactions, as verified by extended Hückel band structure calculations on Zr3Pd4P3.     

Syntheses and characterization of nine quaternary uranium chalcogenides among the compounds A2M3UQ6 (A = K, Rb, Cs; M = Pd, Pt; Q = S, Se)

Nine compounds from the series A(2)M(3)UQ(6) (A = K or Rb or Cs; M = Pd or Pt; Q = S or Se) were synthesized by reacting U, M, and Q in ACl or A(2)Q(x) fluxes. These compounds crystallize with eight formula units in the NaBa(2)Cu(3)O(6) structure type, in space group Fmmm of the orthorhombic system. The structure contains hexagons formed from six edge-sharing square-planar coordinated M atoms, which in turn edge-share with trigonal-prismatically coordinated U atoms, forming layers along (010). These layers are separated by A atoms. Electrical resistivity measurements along the [100] direction of Rb(2)Pd(3)US(6) show typical semiconductor behavior. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on Rb(2)Pd(3)US(6) display marked magnetic anisotropy and unusually low magnetic moments owing to crystalline electric field effects.     

M2(hpp)4Cl2 and M2(hpp)4, where M = Mo and W: preparations, structure and bonding, and comparisons with C2, C2H2, and C2Cl2 and the hypothetical molecules M2(hpp)4(H)2

The reaction between M(2)Cl(2)(NMe(2))(4), where M = Mo or W, and Hhpp (8 equiv) in a solid-state melt reaction at 150 degrees C yields the compounds M(2)(hpp)(4)Cl(2) 1a (M = Mo) and 1b (M = W), respectively, by the elimination of HNMe(2) [hpp is the anion derived from deprotonation of 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, Hhpp]. Purification of 1a and 1b is achieved by sublimation of the excess Hhpp and subsequent recrystallization from either CH(2)Cl(2) or CHCl(3) (or CDCl(3)). By single-crystal X-ray crystallography, the structures of 1a and 1b are shown to contain a central paddlewheel-like M(2)(hpp)(4) core with Mo-Mo = 2.1708(8) A (from CH(2)Cl(2)), 2.1574(5) A (from CDCl(3)), W-W = 2.2328(2) A (from CDCl(3)), and M-N = 2.09(1) (av) A. The Cl ligands are axially ligated (linear Cl-M-M-Cl) with abnormally long M-Cl bond distances that, in turn, depend on the presence or absence of hydrogen bonding to chloroform. The quadruply bonded compounds M(2)(hpp)(4), 2a (M = Mo), and 2b (M = W), can be prepared from the reactions between 1,2-M(2)R(2)(NMe(2))(4) compounds, where R = (i)()Bu or p-tolyl, and Hhpp (4 equiv) in benzene by ligand replacement and reductive elimination. The compounds 2a and 2b are readily oxidized, and in chloroform they react to form 1a and 1b, respectively. The electronic structure and bonding in the compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b have been investigated using gradient corrected density functional theory employing Gaussian 98. The bonding in the M-M quadruply bonded compounds, 2a and 2b, reveals M-M delta(2) HOMOs and extensive mixing of M-M pi and nitrogen ligand lone-pair orbitals in a manner qualitatively similar to that of the M(2)(formamidinates)(4). The calculations indicate that in the chloride compounds, 1a and 1b, the HOMO is strongly M-Cl sigma antibonding and weakly M-M sigma bonding in character. Formally there is a M-M triple bond of configuration pi(4)sigma(2), and the LUMO is the M-M delta orbital. An interesting mixing of M-M and M-Cl pi interactions occurs, and an enlightening analogy emerges between these d(4)-d(4) and d(3)-d(3) dinuclear compounds and the bonding in C(2), C(2)H(2), and C(2)Cl(2), which is interrogated herein by simple theoretical calculations together with the potential bonding in axially ligated compounds where strongly covalent M-X bonds are present. The latter were represented by the model compounds M(2)(hpp)(4)(H)(2). On the basis of calculations, we estimate the reactions M(2)(hpp)(4) + X(2) to give M(2)(hpp)(4)X(2) to be enthalpically favorable for X = Cl but not for X = H. These results are discussed in terms of the recent work of Cotton and Murillo and our attempts to prepare parallel-linked oligomers of the type [[bridge]-[M(2)]-](n)().     

New mixed metal selenites and tellurites containing Pd2+ ions in a square planar geometry

Four novel mixed metal selenites or tellurites containing PdO(4) squares, namely, BaPd(SeO(3))(2), Bi(2)Pd(SeO(3))(4), and Pb(2)Pd(QO(3))(2)Cl(2) (Q = Se, Te), have been prepared and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. These compounds exhibit three different types of anionic structures. BaPd(SeO(3))(2) contains one-dimensional (1D) [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) anionic chains composed of PdO(4) units linked by SeO(3)(2-) groups in a bidentate bridging fashion. Bi(2)Pd(SeO(3))(4) exhibits a complicated 3D architecture constructed by [Bi(SeO(3))](+) and [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) layers that are alternating along the a-axis. The [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) layers are composed of Pd(2+) ions bridged by SeO(3)(2-) anions in a bidentate fashion. Pb(2)Pd(QO(3))(2)Cl(2) (Q = Se, Te) features zero-dimensional (0D) [Pd(QO(3))Cl(2)](4-) (Q = Se, Te) anionic clusters, which are further bridged by Pb(2+) cations into a 3D network. The results of optical diffuse-reflectance spectrum measurements and band structure calculations based on DFT methods indicate that all the compounds are wide-band-gap semiconductors.     

Nb4Pd0.5ZSb2 (Z = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Si): the first ordered quaternary variants of the W5Si3-type structure

A family of quaternary (or pseudoquaternary) antimonides Nb4Pd0.5ZSb2 (Z = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Si) containing up to three transition metals in an ordered arrangement has been prepared by reactions of the elements. These antimonides are isostructural, crystallizing as substitutional variants of the W5Si3-type structure (tetragonal, space group -I4/mcm, Z = 4) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4407(3) A and c = 5.0020(2) A for Nb4Pd0.5Cr0.28(3)Si0.72Sb2, a = 10.4825(6) A and c = 4.9543(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5FeSb2, a = 10.4603(5) A and c = 4.9457(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5CoSb2, a = 10.4332(7) A and c = 4.9649(3) A for Nb4Pd0.5Ni0.78(1)Sb2, and a = 10.3895(10) A and c = 4.9634(4) A for Nb4Pd0.5SiSb2. They are distinguished by the filling of interstitial Z atoms into the centers of Nb8 square antiprismatic clusters that are linked by PdSb4 tetrahedra. The Nb8 square antiprisms share opposite square faces to form one-dimensional chains along the c axis so that Z-Z bonding distances of approximately 2.5 A result. Extended Hückel band structure calculations were carried out to interpret the homo- and heteroatomic metal-metal interactions in the structure. The resistivity of one member, Nb4Pd0.5SiSb2, was measured, indicating metallic behavior.     

Cs2Pd3(P2O7)2 and Cs2Pd3(As2O7)2: a 3D palladium phosphate with a tunnel structure and a 2D palladium arsenate containing strings of palladium atoms

Cs(2)Pd(3)(P(2)O(7))(2) (1) and Cs(2)Pd(3)(As(2)O(7))(2) (2) have been synthesized by molten flux reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of discrete Pd(II)O(4) squares which are linked by P(2)O(7) groups via corner-sharing to generate a 3D framework containing 12-ring channels in which Cs(+) cations are located. Compound 2 adopts a 2D layer structure with the interlayer space filled with Cs(+) cations. Within a layer there are PdO(4) squares and As(2)O(7) groups fused together via corner-sharing. Adjacent layers are stacked such that strings of Pd atoms are formed. The PdO(4) squares show eclipsed and staggered stacks with alternate short and long Pd...Pd distances. The two compounds adopt considerably different structures although they have the same general formula: Cs(2)Pd(3)(X(2)O(7))(2). Compound 2 is the first palladium arsenate reported. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Cmc2(1) (No. 36), a = 7.6061(4) A, b = 14.2820(7) A, c = 14.1840(7) A, and Z = 4. Crystal data for 2: tetragonal, space group P4/n (No. 85), a = 16.251(1) A, c = 5.9681(5) A, and Z = 4.     

Metal-metal bonding in tetracyanometalates (M=PtII, PdII, NiII) of monovalent thallium. Crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization of the new compounds Tl2Ni(CN)4 and Tl2Pd(CN)4

The new crystalline compounds Tl2Ni(CN)4 and Tl2Pd(CN)4 were synthesized by several procedures. The structures of the compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are isostructural with the previously reported platinum analogue, Tl2Pt(CN)4. A new synthetic route to the latter compound is also suggested. In contrast to the usual infinite columnar stacking of [M(CN)4]2- ions with short intrachain M-M separations, characteristic of salts of tetracyanometalates of NiII, PdII, and PtII, the structure of the thallium compounds is noncolumnar with the two TlI ions occupying axial vertices of a distorted pseudo-octahedron of the transition metal, [MTl2C4]. The Tl-M distances in the compounds are 3.0560(6), 3.1733(7), and 3.140(1) A for NiII, PdII, and PtII, respectively. The short Tl-Ni distance in Tl2Ni(CN)4 is the first example of metal-metal bonding between these two metals. The strength of the metal-metal bonds in this series of compounds was assessed by means of vibrational spectroscopy. Rigorous calculations, performed on the molecules in D4h point group symmetry, provide force constants for the Tl-M stretching vibration constants of 146.2, 139.6, and 156.2 N/m for the NiII, PdII, and PtII compounds, respectively, showing the strongest metal-metal bonding in the case of the Tl-Pt compound. Amsterdam density-functional calculations for isolated Tl2M(CN)4 molecules give Tl-M geometry-optimized distances of 2.67, 2.80, and 2.84 A for M = NiII, PdII, and PtII, respectively. These distances are all substantially shorter than the experimental values, most likely because of intermolecular Tl-N interactions in the solid compounds. Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations reveal a low-energy, allowed transition in all three compounds that involves excitation from an a1g orbital of mixed Tl 6pz-M ndz2 character to an a2u orbital of dominant Tl 6pz character.     

Transformation of AeIn4 Indides (Ae=Ba, Sr) into an AeAu2In2 structure type through gold substitution

The title compounds were prepared from the elements by high-temperature solid-state synthesis techniques. X-ray structural analyses shows that BaAu2In2 (1) and SrAu2In2 (2) crystallize in a new orthorhombic structure, Pnma, Z=4 (a=8.755(2), 8.530(2) A; b=4.712(1), 4.598(1) A; c=12.368(3), 12.283(4) A, respectively). Gold substitutes for 50% of the indium atoms in the tetragonal BaIn4 and monoclinic SrIn4 parents to give this new and more flexible orthorhombic structure. The Ae atoms in this structure are contained within chains of hexagonal prisms built of alternating In and Au that have additional augmenting atoms around their waists from further condensation of parallel displaced chains. The driving forces for these structural changes are in part the shorter Au-In distances (2.72 and 2.69 A) relative to d(In-In) in the parents, presumably because of relativistic contractions with Au. Generalities about such centered prismatic building blocks and their condensation modes in these and related phases are described. Band structure calculations (EHTB) demonstrate that the two compounds are metallic, which is confirmed by measurements of the resistivity of 1 and the magnetic susceptibilities of both.     

Crystallographic, electronic, and magnetic studies of zeta(2)-GaM (M = Cr, Mn or Fe): trends in itinerant magnetism

This study of the crystal structure, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of the zeta(2)-GaM (M = Cr, Mn or Fe) alloys is motivated by the recent reinvestigation of the crystallographic Al(8)Cr(5) structure type of zeta(2)-GaMn. The isostructural compounds zeta(2)-GaFe and zeta(2)-GaCr have been refined using X-ray powder diffraction as well as neutron powder diffraction for zeta(2)-GaFe. Their structures have been refined using the space group Rm, with cell parameters a = 12.625(8) A and c = 7.785(10) A for zeta(2)-GaCr and a = 12.4368(11) A and c = 7.7642(10) A for zeta(2)-GaFe. Band structure calculations using the self-consistent, spin-polarized TB-LMTO method were performed to understand their electronic structure and magnetic properties. Band calculations show that from GaCr to GaFe the magnetic interactions change from weakly antiferromagnetic coupling to ferromagnetic coupling. Magnetic measurements confirm ferromagnetism for GaFe and show a weak paramagnetic response for GaCr.     

Sc6MTe2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni): members of the flexible Zr6CoAl2-type family of compounds

The compounds Sc6MTe2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) have been prepared by high-temperature solid-state techniques and their structures determined to be hexagonal P62m (No. 189), Z = 1, a = 7.662(1) A, 7.6795(2) A, 7.6977(4) A, 7.7235(4) A and c = 3.9041(9) A, 3.8368(2) A, 3.7855(3) A, 3.7656(3) A for M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively. Crystal structures were refined for M = Fe and Ni, while M = Mn and Co were assigned as isostructural on the basis of powder diffraction data. The Sc6MTe2 compounds belong to a large family with the Zr6CoAl2-type structure, an ordered variant of the Fe2P structure. The structure contains confacial tricapped trigonal prisms of scandium centered alternately by the late transition metal or tellurium atoms. The Sc6MTe2 compounds are the electron-poorest examples of this structure type. Extended Hückel band calculations for M = Fe and Ni show that both compounds exhibit largely 1D metal-metal bonding and are predicted to be metallic.     

Intermetallic compounds with near Zintl phase behavior: RE2Zn3Ge6 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) grown from liquid indium

A series of compounds has been discovered while investigating reactions of rare earth, transition metals, and Ge in excess indium. These compounds, RE2Zn3Ge6 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd), are isostructural, crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with lattice parameters a = 5.9691(9) angstroms, b = 24.987(4) angstroms, and c = 5.9575(9) angstroms for La2Zn3Ge6, a = 5.9503(5) angstroms, b = 24.761(2) angstroms, and c = 5.9477(5) angstroms for the Ce analogue, a =5.938(2) angstroms, b = 24.708(8) angstroms, and c = 5.936(2) angstroms for Pr2Zn3Ge6, and a = 5.9094(7) angstroms, b = 24.619(3) angstroms, and c = 5.9063(5) angstroms for the Nd analogue. The structure is composed of PbO-like ZnGe layers and ZnGe4 cage layers and is related to the Ce4Zn8Ge(11-x) structure type. The bonding in the system can be rationalized using the Zintl concept resulting in a material that is expected to be a valence precise semiconductor, although its behavior is more consistent with it being a semimetal, making it an intermediate case. The results of band structure calculations and magnetic measurements of these compounds are discussed.     

RE2MAl6Si4 (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy; M = Au, Pt): layered quaternary intermetallics featuring CaAl2Si2-type and YNiAl4Ge2-type slabs grown from aluminum flux

Six new intermetallic aluminum silicides--Gd(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), Gd(2)AuAl(6)Si(4), Tb(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), Tb(2)AuAl(6)Si(4), Dy(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), and Dy(2)AuAl(6)Si(4)--have been obtained from reactions carried out in aluminum flux. The structure of these compounds was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They form in space group Rthremacr;m with cell constants of a = 4.1623(3) A and c = 51.048(5) A for the Gd(2)PtAl(6)Si(4) compound. The crystal structure is comprised of hexagonal nets of rare earth atoms alternating with two kinds of layers that have been observed in other multinary aluminide intermetallic compounds (CaAl(2)Si(2) and YNiAl(4)Ge(2)). All six RE(2)MAl(6)Si(4) compounds show antiferromagnetic transitions at low temperatures (T(N) < 20 K); magnetization studies of the Dy compounds show metamagnetic behavior with reorientation of spins at 6000 G. Band structure calculations indicate that the AlSi puckered hexagonal sheets in this structure are electronically distinct from the other surrounding structural motifs.     

Syntheses, crystal and electronic structures, and characterizations of quaternary antiferromagnetic sulfides: Ba2MFeS5 (M = Sb, Bi)

Two new quaternary sulfides, Ba(2)SbFeS(5) and Ba(2)BiFeS(5), were synthesized by using a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction method in closed silica tubes at 1123 K. The two compounds both crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 12.128(6) ?, b = 8.852(4) ?, c = 8.917(4) ?, and Z = 4 for Ba(2)SbFeS(5) and a = 12.121(5) ?, b = 8.913(4) ?, c = 8.837(4) ?, and Z = 4 for Ba(2)BiFeS(5). The crystal structure unit can be viewed as an infinite one-dimensional edge-shared MS(5) (M = Sb, Bi) tetragonal-pyramid chain with FeS(4) tetrahedra alternately arranged on two sides of the MS(5) polyhedral chain via edge-sharing (so the chain can also be written as (1)(∞)[MFeS(5)](4-)). Interestingly, the compounds have the structural type of a Ba(3)FeS(5) high-pressure phase considering one Ba(2+) is replaced by one Sb(3+)/Bi(3+), with Fe(4+) reduced to Fe(3+) for in order to maintain the electroneutrality of the system. As a result, the isolated iron ions in Ba(3)FeS(5) are bridged by intermediate MS polyhedra in Ba(2)MFeS(5) (M = Sb, Bi) compounds and form the (1)(∞)[MFeS(5)](4-) chain structure. This atom substitution of Ba(2+) by one Sb(3+)/Bi(3+) leads to a magnetic transition from paramagnetic Ba(3)FeS(5) to antiferromagnetic Ba(2)MFeS(5), resulting from an electron-exchange interaction of the iron ions between inter- or intrachains. Magnetic property measurements indicate that the two compounds are both antiferromagnetic materials with Ne?el temperatures of 13 and 35 K for Ba(2)SbFeS(5) and Ba(2)BiFeS(5), respectively. First-principles electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory show that the two compounds are both indirect-band semiconductors with band gaps of 0.93 and 1.22 eV for Ba(2)SbFeS(5) and Ba(2)BiFeS(5), respectively.     

Synthesis, structure, and bonding of BaAuTl3 and BaAuIn3: stabilization of BaAl4-type examples of the heavier triels through gold substitution

The title compounds have been synthesized by high temperature means and characterized by X-ray structural analysis, physical property measurements, and electronic structure calculations. The compounds crystallize in the three-dimensional tetragonal structure of BaAl(4), I4/mmm, Z = 2 (a = 4.8107(4), 4.8604(2) A, and c = 11.980(2), 12.180(2) A for BaAuIn(3) and BaAuTl(3), respectively). Gold randomly substitutes for 50% of the In or Tl in the apical (4e) positions in the network, generating apical-apical atom distances of 2.77 and 2.70 A, respectively, values that are comparable to the single bond metallic radii sum for Au plus In, and 0.08 A less than that for Au plus Tl. Relativistic effects appear to be important for both of the latter elements. The shrinkage in distances and increase in bond strengths evidently stabilize BaAuTl(3) relative to the distorted BaTl(4) with a presumably oversized triel lattice. EHTB band calculations indicate that the two compounds are electron-deficient relative to optimal Au-Tr and Au-Au bonding and metallic, the latter in agreement with measured properties of BaAuTl(3).     

Pressure-induced internal redox reaction of Cs2[PdI4].I2, Cs2[PdBr4].I2, and Cs2[PdCl4].I2

The pressure-induced redox reaction within the system Cs2[Pd2+I4].I2/Cs2[Pd4+I6] was investigated by means of powder X-ray diffraction. Analogous high-pressure X-ray diffraction experiments were performed on the isostructural compounds Cs2[PdX4].I2 (X = Cl, Br). Additionally, the phase transition of Cs2[PdBr4].I2 to Cs2[PdBr4I2] was characterized by means of Raman scattering experiments as well as theoretical calculations based on density functional theory. On the basis of experimentally determined crystal structure data, a pathway for the topology of the redox reactions was developed and outlined.     

Solution and solid-state properties of luminescent M-M bond-containing coordination/organometallic polymers using the RNC-M2(dppm)2-CNR building blocks (M = Pd, Pt; R = Aryl, Alkyl)

Two families of organometallic polymers built upon the bimetallic M2(dppm)2L(2)2+ fragments (M = Pd, Pt; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, L = 1,4-diisocyano-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (diiso), 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane (dmb), 1-isocyano-2,6-dimethylbenzene, 1-isocyano-4-isopropylbenzene, and tert-butylisocyanide) were synthesized and fully characterized (1H and 31P NMR, X-ray crystallography (model compounds), IR, Raman, chem. anal., TGA, DSC, powder XRD, 31P NMR T1 and NOE, light scattering, and conductivity measurements). Evidence for polymers in the solid state is provided from the swelling of the polymers upon dissolution and the formation of stand-alone films. However, these species become small oligomers when dissolved. The materials are luminescent in the solid state at 298 and 77 K and in PrCN solution at 77 K. These emissions result from triplet 3(d sigma d sigma*) states despite the presence of low-lying pi-pi* MO levels according to DFT calculations for the aryl isocyanide model compounds. The emission band maxima are located between 640 and 750 nm and exhibit lifetimes of 3-6 ns for the Pd species and 3-4 micros for the Pt analogues in PrCN solution at 77 K. No evidence of intramolecular excitonic photoprocesses was found in any of the polymers.     

Synthesis, crystal chemistry, and magnetic properties of RE7Li8Ge10 and RE11Li12Ge16 (RE = La-Nd, Sm): new members of the [REGe2](n)[RELi2Ge](m) homologous series

Eight new rare-earth metal-lithium-germanides belonging to the [REGe(2)](n)[RELi(2)Ge](m) homologous series have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of the title compounds can be rationalized as linear intergrowths of imaginary RELi(2)Ge (MgAl(2)Cu structure type) and REGe(2) (AlB(2) structure type) slabs. The compounds with general formula RE(7)Li(8)Ge(10) (RE = La-Nd, Sm), i.e., [REGe(2)](3)[RELi(2)Ge](4), crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm (No. 65) with a new structure type. Similarly, the compounds with general formula RE(11)Li(12)Ge(16) (RE = Ce-Nd), i.e., [REGe(2)](5)[RELi(2)Ge](6), crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Immm (No. 71) also with its own structure type. Temperature-dependent DC magnetization measurements indicate Curie-Weiss paramagnetism in the high-temperature regime and hint at complex magnetic ordering at low temperatures. The measured effective moments are consistent with RE(3+) ground states in all cases. The experimental results have been complemented by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO) electronic structure calculations.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and properties of barium pernitride, BaN(2)

Stoichiometric barium pernitride, BaN(2), was prepared from the elements under N(2) pressure of 5600 bar in an autoclave at 920 K. The compound is isotypic to ThC(2) (space group C2/c, Z = 4) according to powder X-ray (neutron) diffraction data with a = 7.1712(1), b = 4.3946(1), c = 7.2362(1) A, and beta = 104.864(1) degrees (a = 7.1745(1), b = 4.3963(1), c = 7.2393(1) A, beta = 104.876(1) degrees ). The N-N distance of 1.221(4) A (based on the neutron diffraction data) is indicative of a double bond in the N(2)(2-) dumbbells. BaN(2) is metallic according to magnetic susceptibility measurements and TB-LMTO band structure calculations.