Ca3ZnGeO2[Ge4O12]: a Ca–Zn germanate related to the mineral taikanite

The title compound, Ca₃ZnGeO₂[Ge₄O₁₂] (tricalcium zinc germanium dioxide dodecaoxidotetragermanate), adopts a taikanite‐type structure. The tetrahedral [Ge₄O₁₂] chain geometry is very similar to that of the silicate chain of taikanite, i.e. BaSr₂Mn³⁺₂O₂[Si₄O₁₂], while the major difference is found parallel to the c axis. In taikanite, Mn³⁺ octahedra form an infinite zigzag chain, whereas the title compound has a chain of distorted ZnO₆ octahedra, which alternates with distorted GeO₄ tetrahedra connected to each other via two common edges. Eightfold‐coordinated Ca²⁺ polyhedra and ZnO₆ octahedra form a slab parallel to (001) which alternates with another slab containing the tetrahedrally coordinated Ge sites along the c axis.     

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.     

Pyroxene‐type compounds NaM3+Ge2O6, with M = Ga,Mn, Sc and In

The four title compounds, namely sodium gallium germanate, NaGaGe₂O₆, sodium manganese vanadate germanate, NaMnV_0.1Ge_1.9O₆, sodium scandium germanate, NaScGe₂O₆, and sodium indium germanate, NaInGe₂O₆, adopt the high‐temperature structure of the pyroxene‐type chain germanates, with monoclinic symmetry and space group C2/c. The lattice parameters, the individual and average bond lengths involving M1, and the distortion parameters scale well with the ionic radius of the M1 cation. NaGaGe₂O₆ has more distorted M1 sites and more extended tetrahedral chains than NaInGe₂O₆, in which a high degree of kinking is required to maintain the connection between the octahedral and tetrahedral building units of the pyroxene structure. An exceptional case is NaMnGe₂O₆, in which the strong Jahn–Teller effect of Mn³⁺ results in more distorted octahedral sites than expected according to linear extrapolation from the other NaM³⁺Ge₂O₆ pyroxenes. In contrast with the literature, minor incorporations of V⁵⁺ in the tetrahedral site and a corresponding reduction of Mn³⁺ to Mn²⁺ in the octahedral sites in the present sample lower the Jahn–Teller distortion and stabilize the Mn‐bearing pyroxene, even allowing its synthesis at ambient pressure.     

Lithium and sodium yttrium ortho­silicate oxy­apatite,LiY9(SiO4)6O2 and NaY9(SiO4)6O2, at both 100 K and near room temperature

Lithium yttrium orthosilicate oxyapatite [lithium nonayttrium hexakis­(silicate) dioxide], LiY₉(SiO₄)₆O₂, crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group P6₃/m at both 295 and 100 K. The structure closely resembles those of fluorine apatite and sodium yttrium orthosilicate oxyapatite [sodium nonayttrium hexakis­(silicate) dioxide], NaY₉(SiO₄)₆O₂, which was also investigated, at 270 and 100 K, in this study. There are two different crystallographic sites for the Y³⁺ ion, which are coordinated by seven and nine O atoms. One‐fourth of the nine‐coordinated site is occupied by Li or Na atoms, thus maintaining charge balance. The Si atom occupies a tetrahedral site. The two compounds show no symmetry change between room temperature and 100 K, and the alterations in structural parameters are small.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Ca2P2O6·2H2O and [Ca(H2O)3(H2P2O6)]·0.5(C12H24O6)·H2O

The calcium salts Ca₂P₂O₆ · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ca(H₂O)₃(H₂P₂O₆)] · 0.5(C₁₂H₂₄O₆) · H₂O ( 2 ) were prepared and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca and compound 2 in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The crystal structure of compound 1 consists of chains of edge‐sharing [CaO₇] polyhedra linked by hypodiphosphate(IV) anions to form a three‐dimensional network. The crystal structure of compound 2 consists of alternated layers of crown ether and water molecules and respective ionic units. Within the layers of ionic units the Ca²⁺ cations are octahedrally coordinated by three monodentate dihydrogenhypodiphosphate(IV) anions and three water molecules. The IR/Raman spectra of the title compounds were recorded and interpreted, especially with respect to the [P₂O₆]^4– and [H₂P₂O₆]^2– groups. The phase purity of 2 was verified by powder diffraction measurements.     

Hexalithium hexadecahydrate decavanadate, [Li6(H2O)16V10O28]n

The novel title compound, poly­[octa‐μ‐aqua‐octa­aqua‐μ‐decavanadato‐hexalithium], contains [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ polyanions with 2/m symmetry linked by centrosymmetric [Li₆(H₂O)₁₆]⁶⁺ cation chains. The [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ polyanions form a two‐dimensional network with [Li₆(H₂O)₁₆]⁶⁺ chains via O‐polyanion–Li‐chain coordination, with Li—O bond lengths in the range 2.007 (5)–2.016 (5) Å. The hexalithium hexadecahydrate chain is composed of a centrosymmetric pair of LiO₆ octahedra and four distorted LiO₄ tetrahedra. Hydro­gen bonds occur between the polyanion and the Li‐based chains, and within the Li‐based chains.     

Crystal Structure of the B‐type Dierbium Oxide ortho‐Oxosilicate Er2O[SiO4]

The crystal structure of B‐type Er₂O[SiO₄] has been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes with the (Mn,Fe)₂[PO₄]F type structure in the monoclinic space group C2/c (a = 14.366(2), b = 6.6976(6), c = 10.3633(16) Å, ß = 122.219(10)°, Z = 8) and shows anionic tetrahedral [SiO₄]^4– units and non‐silicon‐bonded O^2– anions in distorted [OEr₄]¹⁰⁺ tetrahedra. The [(Er1)O₆₊₁] and [(Er2)O₆] polyhedra form infinite chains which are connected by common edges.     

ZnTe6O13, a new ZnO–TeO2 phase

Our investigations into the ZnO–TeO₂ system have produced a new phase, zinc(II) hexatellurium(IV) tridecaoxide, ZnTe₆O₁₃, with trigonal (R) symmetry, synthesized by repeated heating and cooling to a maximum temperature of 1053 K. The asymmetric unit consists of a Zn atom coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion by two unique tellurium(IV) oxide units that form trigonal–bipyramidal TeO₄ and TeO₃₊₁ corner‐ and edge‐shared polyhedra. Except for the Zn and an O atom, which occupy 6c positions, all atoms occupy 18f general positions.     

(Li0.91Mn0.09)Mn2O4

Lithium manganese oxide crystals with composition (Li_0.91Mn_0.09)Mn₂O₄ were synthesized by a flux method. The crystals have a structure closely related to that of the cubic spinel LiMn₂O₄, but 9% of the lithium ions in the tetrahedral 4a site are substituted by Mn²⁺ ions. This substitution lowers the average Mn oxidation state below 3.5+, resulting in a Jahn–Teller distortion of the MnO₆ octahedron.     

KCo(H2O)2BP2O8·0.48H2O and K0.17Ca0.42Co(H2O)2BP2O8·H2O: two cobalt borophosphates with helical ribbons and disordered (K,Ca)/H2O schemes

The two title compounds, potassium diaquacobalt(II) borodiphosphate 0.48‐hydrate and potassium–calcium(0.172/0.418) diaquacobalt(II) borodiphosphate monohydrate, were synthesized hydrothermally. They are new members of the borophosphate family characterized by _∞[BP₂O₈]³⁻ helices running along [001] and constructed of boron (Wyckoff position 6b, twofold axis) and phosphorus tetrahedra. The [CoBP₂O₈]⁻ anionic frameworks in the two materials are structurally similar and result from a connection in the ab plane between the CoO₄(H₂O)₂ coordination octahedra (6b position) and the helical ribbons. Nevertheless, the two structures differ in the disorder schemes of the K,Ca and H₂O species. The alkali cations in the structure of the pure potassium compound are disordered over three independent positions, one of them located on a 6b site. Its framework is characterized by double occupation of the tunnels by water molecules located on twofold rotation axes (6b) and a fraction of alkali cations; its cell parameters, compared with those for the mixed K,Ca compound, show abnormal changes, presumably due to the disorder. For the K,Ca compound, the K and Ca cations are on twofold axes (6b) and the channels are occupied only by disordered solvent water molecules. This shows that it is possible, due to the flexibility of the helices, to replace the alkali and alkaline earth cations while retaining the crystal framework.     

Zur Kristallchemie eines neuen Barium-Lanthanoid-Oxozinkats: Ba2Er2Zn8O13

On the Crystal Chemistry of a New Barium Rare-Earth Oxozincate: Ba₂Er₂Zn₈O₁₃ High temperature reactions led to single crystals of Ba₂Er₂Zn₈O₁₃. It crystallizes with orthorhombic symmetry, space group C¹²_2v? Cmc2₁, a = 6.276, b = 10.871, c = 10.195 Å, Z = 2. The hitherto unknown crystal structure shows Zn²⁺ with tetrahedral, Er³⁺ octahedral and Ba²⁺ cuboctahedral coordination by O^2?. It will be shown that parts of the [Zn₈O₁₃] network are fragments of the ZnO structure showing O^2? within a tetrahedral zinc coordination. A deficit of two O^2? ions per unit cell is focused on two point positions.     

Nanocrystals of Co2+‐Doped MgGa2O4: Preparation by a Low‐Temperature Combustion Method and Optical Properties

Co²⁺‐doped MgGa₂O₄ nanocrystals were prepared at 500°C by a low‐temperature combustion method without any further calcination. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the only crystalline phase in the product was MgGa₂O₄ with a grain size of 33–36 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the products contained pores formed by the gases evolved during the combustion reaction. The excitation and emission spectra of the nanocrystalline powders in the visible and near infrared regions were characteristic of tetrahedral Co²⁺ ions, suggesting that Co²⁺ ions replaced tetrahedral Mg²⁺ ions in the MgGa₂O₄ crystals. We assigned the visible and near infrared luminescent bands to the spin‐allowed ⁴T₁(⁴P) → and ⁴A₂(⁴F) and ⁴T₁(⁴P) → ⁴T₂(⁴F) transitions.     

Rb2Co3(H2O)2[B4P6O24(OH)2]: Ein Borophosphat mit ‐Tetraeder‐Anionenteilstruktur und Oktaeder‐Trimeren (CoO12(H2O)2)

Rb₂Co₃(H₂O)₂[B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂]: A Borophosphate with ‐Tetrahedral Anionic Partial Structure and Trimers of Octahedra (Co O₁₂(H₂O)₂) Rb₂Co₃(H₂O)₂[B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂] is formed under mild hydrothermal conditions (T = 165 °C) from mixtures of RbOH_(aq), CoCl₂, H₃BO₃, and H₃PO₄ (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1 : 2). The crystal structure (orthorhombic system) was solved by X‐ray single crystal methods (space group Pbca, No. 61; R‐values (all data): R1 = 0.0699, wR2 = 0.0878): a = 950.1(1) pm, b = 1227.2(2) pm, c = 2007.4(2) pm; Z = 4. The anionic partial structure consists of tetrahedral [B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂^8–] layers, which contain three‐ and nine‐membered rings. Co^II is octahedrally coordinated by oxygen and oxygen and H₂O ligands, respectively (coordination octahedra CoO₆ and CoO₄(H₂O)₂). Three adjacent coordination octahedra are condensed via common edges to form trimeric units (CoO₁₂(H₂O)₂). The oxidation state +2 of cobalt was confirmed by magnetic measurements. The octahedral trimers are quasi‐isolated. No long‐range magnetic ordering occurs down to 2 K. Rb⁺ is disordered over three crystallographically independent sites within channels of the structure running parallel [010]; the coordination sphere of Rb⁺ is formed by nine oxygen species of the tetrahedral layers, one OH group and one H₂O molecule.     

Water-rich molybdotellurates: Preparation and crystal structure of Li6[TeMo6O24] · 18 H2O and Li6[TeMo6O24] · Te(OH)6 · 18 H2O

Li₆[TeMo₆O₂₄] · 18 H₂O is triclinic (space group P1 , a = 1 041.7(1), b = 1 058.6(1), c = 1 070.8(1) pm, α = 61.08(1), β = 60.44(1), γ = 73.95(1)°). Single crystal X-ray structure analysis (Z = 1, 295 K, 317 parameters, 3 973 reflections, R_g = 0.0250) revealed an infinite branched chain of edge-sharing Li coordination polyhedra to be the prominent structural feature. One of the four crystallographically independent Li⁺ is coordinated octahedrally. The coordination polyhedra of the remaining Li⁺ are distorted trigonal bipyramids. Only three unique oxygen atoms (O(9), O(10), O(12)) of the centrosymmetric [TeMo₆O₂₄]^6? anion are bound to Li⁺. The further positions in the coordination spheres of the Li⁺ are occupied by water molecules. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds involve mainly oxygen atoms of the [TeMo₆O₂₄]^6? anion as nearly equivalent proton acceptors without regard to their different bonding modes to Te and Mo, respectively. Li₆[TeMo₆O₂₄] · Te(OH)₆ · 18 H₂O crystallizes monoclinically in space group P2₁/n with Z = 4, a = 994.1(3), b = 2 344.8(10), c = 1 764.9(4) pm, and β = 91.36(4)°. Single crystal structure analysis with least squares refinement of 627 parameters (5 900 reflections, 295 K) converged to R_g = 0.0324. There are six unique Li⁺ cations. The coordination polyhedra of Li(1), Li(2), Li(3), and Li(4) are linked by common edges to yield an eight membered centrosymmetric strand. The coordination polyhedra of the remaining two Li⁺ sites (Li(5), Li(6)) are connected to a dimeric unit via a common corner. All oxygen atoms of the Te(OH)₆ molecule are involved in the coordination of Li⁺. However, only three oxygen atoms (O(13), O(18), O(23)) of the [TeMo₆O₂₄]^6? anion which lacks crystallographic symmetry are involved in the coordination of Li⁺. The oxygen atoms of the anion act as proton acceptors in hydrogen bonds of predominantly medium strength. Te(OH)₆ molecules and [TeMo₆O₂₄]^6? anions connected by strong hydrogen bonds form an infinite chain.     

Photocatalytic selective oxidation of CO with O2 in the presence of H2 over highly dispersed chromium oxide on silica under visible or solar light irradiation

A highly dispersed Cr⁶⁺-oxide species on silica (Cr/SiO₂) was found to act as an efficient photocatalyst for the selective oxidation of CO into CO₂ with O₂ in the presence of H₂ under visible (λ>420 nm) or solar light irradiation at 293 K. UV-Vis, photoluminescence and FT-IR investigations revealed that the selective reactivity of the photoexcited tetrahedral Cr⁶⁺-oxide species ([Cr⁵⁺−O⁻]^*) with CO, as well as the high reactivity of the photoreduced Cr⁶⁺-oxide species (Cr⁴⁺-oxide species) with O₂ both play significant roles in this reaction.     

Ba2Cd(B3O6)2: A Congruent‐Melting Compound with Isolated B3O6 Units

The single crystals of Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ were grown by the spontaneous crystallization method for the first time. They crystallize in the centrosymmetric trigonal space group R$\bar{3}$ with a = 7.143(3) Å, c = 17.405(16) Å, and Z = 3. The structure is characterized by isolated B₃O₆ units, and the Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations connect with B₃O₆ rings to form three dimensional structure. The TG/DSC and XRD results reveal that Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ melts congruently. First‐principles electronic structure calculation performed with the density functional theory (DFT) method shows that the calculated bandgaps are 4.66 eV, which is in good agreement with the UV/Vis/NIR experimental value 4.59 eV. The calculation shows that the Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ crystal has a large birefringence (Δn = 0.0875–0.0569 from 270 nm to 2600 nm), which demonstrates that Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ is a potential birefringence crystal.     

Ein Beitrag zur Kristallchemie der Kobaltoxoniobate: CoNb2O6 mit Rutilstruktur

CoNb₂O₆ can be prepared by reaction of stoichiometric amounts of CoO (thermical decomposition of cobaltoxalate) and Nb₂O₅ in argon-atmosphere up to 1,400 °C. The isolated red-brown single crystals have tetragonal symmetry (a=472.6;c=305.4 pm; space group P4₂/mnm-D _4h ¹⁴ ). Electron probe micro-analysis of the single crystals verifies the composition Co_0.33Nb_0.67O₂. Co²⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ occupy statistically the metal positions of the rutil-type structure. The differences between Co_0.5Nb_0.5O₂ (CoNbO₄AlNbO₄-type) and Co_0.38Nb_0.67O₂ (CoNb₂O₆) are discussed.

     

Zur Kristallstruktur von CaZn2(OH)6 · 2 H2O

Crystal Structure of CaZn₂(OH)₆ · 2 H₂O The electrochemical oxidation of zinc in a zinc/iron-pair leads in an aqueous NH₃ solution of calciumhydroxide at room temperature to colourless crystals of CaZn₂(OH)₆ · 2 H₂O. The X-ray structure determination was now successful including all hydrogen positions. P2₁/c, Z = 2, a = 6.372(1) Å, b = 10.940(2) Å, c = 5.749(2) Å, β = 101.94(2)° N(F ≥ 3σF) = 809, N(Var.) = 69, R/R_W = 0.011/0.012 The compound CaZn₂(OH)₆ · 2H₂O contains Zn²⁺ in tetrahedral coordination by OH^? and Ca²⁺ in octahedral coordination by four OH^? and two H₂O. The tetrahedra around Zn²⁺ form corner sharing chains, three-dimensionally linked by isolated polyhedra around Ca²⁺. Weak hydrogen bridge bonds result between H₂O as donor and OH^?.     

Cluster self-organization of germanate systems: Suprapolyhedral precursor clusters and self-assembly of K2Nd4Ge4O13(OH)4, K2YbGe4O10(OH), K2Sc2Ge2O7(OH)2, and KScGe2O6(PYR)

Geometric and topological analysis of all known types of K,TR germanates (TR = La-Lu, Y, Sc, In) is carried out with the use of computer techniques (the TOPOS 4.0 program package). Framework structures are represented as three-dimensional (3D) K,TR,Ge networks (graphs) with oxygen atoms removed. The following crystal-forming 2D TR,Ge networks are determined: for K₂Nd₄Ge₄O₁₃(OH)₄, this is TR 4 3 3 4 3 3 + T 4 3 4 3; for K₂YbGe₄O₁₀(OH), this is TR 6 6 3 6 + T 1 6 8 6 + T 2 3 6 8; for K₂Sc₂Ge₂O₇(OH)₂, this is TR 6 4 6 4 + T 6 4 6; and for KScGe₂O₆, TR 6 6 3 6 3 4 + T 1 6 3 6 + T 2 6 4 3. The full 3D reconstruction of the self-assembly mechanism of crystal structures is performed as follows: precursor cluster—primary chain—microlayer-microframework (supraprecursor). In K₂Nd₄Ge₄O₁₃(OH)₄, K₂Sc₂Ge₂O₇(OH)₂, and KScGe₂O₆, an invariant type of cyclic six-polyhedral precursor cluster is identified; this precursor clusters is built of TR octahedra, which are stabilized by atoms K. For K₂Nd₄Ge₄O₁₃(OH)₄, the type of cyclic four-polyhedral precursor cluster of tetrahedron-linked TR octatopes is identified. The cluster coordination number in a layer is six (the maximum possible value) only for anhydrous germanate KScGe₂O₆ (an analogue of pyroxene, PYR); in the other OH-containing germanates, this number is four. The mechanism of formation of Ge radicals in the form of groups Ge₂O₇ and Ge₄O₁₃, a chain GeO₃, and a tubular assembly of linked cyclic groups Ge₈O₂₀ is considered.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure,Vibrational Spectra,and Thermal Behavior of Tl2H2P2O6 and Tl4P2O6

The new thallium(I) salts, Tl₂H₂P₂O₆ ( 1 ) and Tl₄P₂O₆ ( 2 ), were prepared and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c and compound 2 in the orthorhombic space group Pbca. Both structures feature channels occupied by the lone electron pairs of Tl⁺ cations. Furthermore, those are built up by discrete [H₂P₂O₆]^2– for compound 1 and [P₂O₆]^4– units for 2 in staggered conformation for the P₂O₆ skeleton and the thallium cations. In Tl₂H₂P₂O₆ ( 1 ) the hydrogen atoms of the [H₂P₂O₆]^2– ion are in a “trans‐trans” conformation. The O ··· H–O hydrogen bonds between the [H₂P₂O₆]^2– groups consolidate the structure 1 into a three‐dimensional network. FT‐IR/FIR and FT‐Raman spectra of the crystalline title compounds were recorded and a complete assignment for the P₂O₆^4– modes is proposed. The phase purity of 1 was verified by powder diffraction measurements.