Crystal structures of the novel hydrated borates Ba2B5O9(OH), Sr2B5O9(OH) and Li2Sr8B22O41(OH)2

Three novel hydrated borates Ba₂B₅O₉(OH) (1), Sr₂B₅O₉(OH) (2) and Li₂Sr₈B₂₂O₄₁(OH)₂ (3) have been synthesized hydrothermally and their structures determined. Compounds (1) and (2) are isostructural, crystallizing in space group P2₁/c and having lattice parameters of a=6.6330(13) Å, b=8.6250(17) Å, c=14.680(3) Å, β=93.46(3)° and a=6.4970(13) Å, b=8.4180(17) Å, c=14.177(3) Å, β=94.35(3)°, respectively. Compound (3) crystallizes in P-1 with lattice parameters of a=6.4684(13) Å, b=8.4513(17) Å, c=14.881(3) Å, α=101.21(3)°, β=93.96(3)°, γ=90.67(3)°. While similar in their axis lengths, (3) differs greatly in structure and formulation from (1) and (2). The structure of (1) and (2) is contrasted to that of the well-known mineral hilgardite (Ca₂B₅O₉Cl·H₂O).     

Synthesis crystal structure and ionic conductivity of Ca0.5Bi3V2O10 and Sr0.5Bi3V2O10

Two new compounds Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ have been synthesized in the ternary system: MO-Bi₂O₃-V₂O₅ system (M=M²⁺). The crystal structure of Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group and Z=2, with cell parameters a=7.1453(3) Å, b=7.8921(3) Å, c=9.3297(3) Å, α=106.444(2)°, β=94.088(2)°, γ=112.445(2)°, V=456.72(4) Å³. Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ is isostructural with Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, with, a=7.0810(2) Å, b=7.8447(2) Å, c=9.3607(2) Å, α=106.202(1)°, β=94.572(1)°, γ=112.659(1)°, V=450.38(2) Å³ and its structure has been refined by Rietveld method using powder X-ray data. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of (Bi₂O₂) along c-axis formed by linkage of BiO₈ and BiO₆ polyhedra interconnected by MO₈ polyhedra forming 2D layers in ac plane. The vanadate tetrahedra are sandwiched between these layers. Conductivity measurements give a maximum conductivity value of 4.54×10⁻⁵ and 3.63×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ for Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, respectively at 725 °C.     

Pb2VO(VO4)(V2O7)0.5, a Novel Lead Vanadium III Vanadate Possessing Trivalent Vanadium Rutile-Like Chains: Relationship with Related Compounds

The crystal structure of the new Pb₂V₃O_8.5 has been determined and refined with final R₁ and wR₂ values 0.045 and 0.128, respectively, from 1063 independent single crystal reflections. It crystallizes with the P2/c space group, a=7.687(2) Å, b=5.996(2) Å, c=17.337(4) Å, and β=112.636(4)°. The structure consists of one-dimensional rutile-type chains of edge-sharing V^IIIO₆ octahedra parallel to the b axis. Bidentate V^VO₄ tetrahedra share corners with the chains to form one-dimensional columns. They are interconnected by divanadate V^V₂O₇ to form infinite layers. In the presented work, the Pb₂V₃O_8.5 crystal structure is compared to several closely related materials including Ba₂V₃O₉ and the mineral Vauquelinite Pb₂CuCrO₄PO₄OH. Special attention is given to the existence along the rutile chains of V-V pairs due to strong V-O bonds with O₂ bridging edges.     

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.     

A rare multi-coordinate tellurite, NH4ATe4O9·2H2O (ARb or Cs): The occurrence of TeO3, TeO4, and TeO5 Polyhedra in the same material

Two new tellurites, NH₄RbTe₄O₉·2H₂O and NH₄CsTe₄O₉·2H₂O have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds were synthesized hydrothermally, in near quantitative yields, using the alkali metal halide, TeO₂, and NH₄OH as reagents. The iso-structural materials exhibit layered, two-dimensional structural topologies consisting of TeO_x (x=3, 4, or 5) polyhedra separated by NH₄⁺, H₂O, Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ cations. Unique to these materials is the presence of TeO₃, TeO₄, and TeO₅ polyhedra. Thermogravimetric and infrared spectroscopic data are also presented. Crystal data: NH₄RbTe₄O₉·2H₂O: Monoclinic I2/a (no. 15), a=18.917(3) Å, b=6.7002(11) Å, c=21.106(5) Å, β=101.813(2)°, V=2618.5(9) Å³, Z=8; NH₄CsTe₄O₉·2H₂O: Monoclinic I2/a (no. 15), a=18.9880(12) Å, b=6.7633(4) Å, c=21.476(2) Å, β=102.3460(10)°, V=2694.2(3) Å³, Z=8.     

Quaternary selenostannates Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 and AGaSnSe4 (A=K, Rb, and Cs) through rapid cooling of melts. Kinetics versus thermodynamics in the polymorphism of AGaSnSe4

The quaternary alkali-metal gallium selenostannates, Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ and AGaSnSe₄ (A=K, Rb, and Cs), were synthesized by reacting alkali-metal selenide, Ga, Sn, and Se with a flame melting-rapid cooling method. Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group C2 with cell constants a=13.308(3) Å, b=7.594(2) Å, c=13.842(3) Å, β=118.730(4)°, V=1226.7(5) Å³. α-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm with a=8.186(5) Å and c=6.403(5) Å, V=429.1(5) Å³. β-KGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with cell constants a=7.490(2) Å, b=12.578(3) Å, c=18.306(5) Å, β=98.653(5)°, V=1705.0(8) Å³. The unit cell of isostructural RbGaSnSe₄ is a=7.567(2) Å, b=12.656(3) Å, c=18.277(4) Å, β=95.924(4)°, V=1741.1(7) Å³. CsGaSnSe₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmcn with a=7.679(2) Å, b=12.655(3) Å, c=18.278(5) Å, V=1776.1(8) Å³. The structure of Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ consists of a polar three-dimensional network of trimeric (Sn,Ga)₃Se₉ units with Na atoms located in tunnels. The AGaSnSe₄ possess layered structures. The compounds show nearly the same Raman spectral features, except for Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆. Optical band gaps, determined from UV-Vis spectroscopy, range from 1.50 eV in Na_2−xGa_2−xSn_1+xSe₆ to 1.97 eV in CsGaSnSe₄. Cooling of the melts of KGaSnSe₄ and RbGaSnSe₄ produces only kinetically stable products. The thermodynamically stable product is accessible under extended annealing, which leads to the so-called γ-form (BaGa₂S₄-type) of these compounds.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior of Sr3B2SiO8 borosilicate

Single crystals of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ were obtained by solid-state reaction of stoichiometric mixture at 1200 °C. The crystal structure of the compound has been solved by direct methods and refined to R1=0.064 (wR=0.133). It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=12.361(4), b=3.927(1), c=5.419(1) Å, V=263.05(11) Å³. The structure contains zigzag pseudo-chains running along the b axis and built up from corner sharing (Si,B)−O polyhedra. Boron and silicon are statistically distributed over one site with their coordination strongly disordered. Sr atoms are located between the chains providing three-dimensional linkage of the structure.The formation of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ has been studied using annealing series in air at 900-1200 °C. According powder XRD, the probe contains pure Sr₃B₂SiO₈ over 1100 °C. The compound is not stable below 900 °C. In the pseudobinary Sr₂B₂O₅-Sr₃B₂SiO₈ system a new series of solid solutions Sr_3−xB₂Si_1−xO_8−3x (x=0-0.9) have been crystallized from melt. The thermal behavior of Sr₃B₂SiO₈ was investigated using powder high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) in the temperature range 20-900 °C. The anisotropic character of thermal expansion has been observed: α_a= −1.3, α_b=23.5, α_c=13.9, and α_V=36.1×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ (25 °C); α_a= −1.3, α_b=23.2, α_c=5.2, and α_V=27.1×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ (650 °C). Maximal thermal expansion of the structure along of the chain direction [0 1 0] is caused by the partial straightening of chain zigzag. Hinge mechanism of thermal expansion is discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of the new lead fluoride borate—Pb2BO3F

A new compound, Pb₂BO₃F, has been grown by high temperature solution method from the PbO–PbF₂–B₂O₃ system for the first time. The crystal structure of this compound has been identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system, space group P6₃/m (No. 176) with unit-cell parameters a=7.2460(3) Å, c=14.5521(17) Å, Z=6, V=661.69(9) ų. Its structure was solved by the direct methods and refined to R₁=0.0163 and wR₂=0.0367. The structure of Pb₂BO₃F consists of the distorted PbO₃F₂ groups and BO₃ triangles, which are all symmetric with each other in the gestalt structure to the extent that the Pb₂BO₃F compound crystallizes in the symmetric space group. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the Pb₂BO₃F has been measured. The BO₃ functional groups presented in the sample were identified by FTIR spectrum. The DTA curve of Pb₂BO₃F suggests that Pb₂BO₃F melts congruently at 448 °C.     

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.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of (H3N(CH2)4NH3)[V6O14]

A new layered vanadium oxide [H₃N(CH₂)₄NH₃](V₆O₁₄) was synthesized hydrothermally under autogenous pressure at 180°C for 48 h from a mixture of H₂N(CH₂)₄NH₂ and V₂O₅ in aqueous solution. Its structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature with final R=0.0774 and R_w=0.0893. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/n with a=9.74(2) Å, b=6.776(5) Å, c=12.60(2) Å, β=96.1(1)°, V=827(2) ų and Z=2). This compound contains mixed-valence V⁵⁺/V⁴⁺ vanadium oxide layers built from [V^VO₄] tetrahedra and pairs of edge-sharing [V^IVO₅] square pyramids with protonated organic amines occupying the interlayer space.     

Pb(UO2)(V2O7), a novel lead uranyl divanadate

A new lead uranyl divanadate, PbUO₂(V₂O₇), has been synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction and its crystal structure was solved by direct methods using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2₁/n and following cell parameters: a=6.9212(9) Å, b=9.6523(13) Å, c=11.7881(16) Å, β=91.74(1)°, V=787.01(2) Å³, Z=4, ρ_mes=5.82(3), ρ_cal=5.83(1) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F² yielded R₁=0.029 and wR₂=0.064 for 2136 independent reflections with I>2σ(I) collected with a Bruker AXS diffractometer (MoKα radiation). The crystal structure of PbUO₂(V₂O₇) consists of a tri-dimensional framework resulting from the association of V₂O₇ divanadate units formed by two VO₄ tetrahedra sharing corner and UO₇ uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and creating one-dimensional elliptic channels occupied by the Pb²⁺ ions. In PbUO₂(V₂O₇), infinite ribbons of four pentagons wide are formed which can be deduced from the sheets with Uranophane type anion-topology that occurs, for example, in the uranyl divanadate (UO₂)₂(V₂O₇), by replacement of half-U atoms of the edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids by Pb atoms. Infrared spectroscopy was investigated at room temperature in the frequency range 400-4000 cm⁻¹, showing some characteristic bands of uranyl ion and of VO₄ tetrahedra.     

Different [Bi12O14]n Columnar Structural Types in the Bi-Mo-Cr-O System: Synthesis, Structure, and Electrical Properties of the Solid Solution Bi26Mo10−xCrxO69

In order to search for new ionic conductor materials exhibiting a columnar [Bi₁₂O₁₄] structural type, the syntheses of the solid solutions Bi₂Mo_1−xCr_xO₆ and Bi₂₆Mo_10−xCr_xO₆₉ have been undertaken. Single phases were obtained for the last composition with 0≤x≤5 homogeneity range. Moreover, a new oxide with Bi₆Cr₂O₁₅ composition has been obtained from the limit nominal stoichiometries Bi₆CrO₆ and Bi₂₆Cr₁₀O₆₉. X-ray powder diffraction studies have shown that this oxide crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Ccc2 or Cccm, with unit-cell parameters a=19.8986(9) Å, b=12.2756(6) Å, c=5.8868(3) Å, and V=1437.96 ų. Impedance spectroscopy measurements carried out on the representative Bi₂₆Mo₈Cr₂O₆₉ phase, showed that this material is a good oxygen ion conductor, in fact the best one belongs to the columnar structural type, with a conductivity as high as 1.7×10⁻³Scm⁻¹ at 425°C.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the new mixed-valence vanadate Na2SrV3O9

The new complex oxide Na₂SrV₃O₉ was synthesized and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This oxide has a monoclinic unit cell with parameters a=5.416(1) Å, b=15.040(3) Å, c=10.051(2) Å, β=97.03(3)°, space group P2₁/c and Z=4. The crystal structure of Na₂SrV₃O₉, as determined from X-ray single-crystal data, is built up from isolated chains formed by square V⁴⁺O₅ pyramids. Neighboring pyramids are linked by two bridging V⁵⁺O₄ tetrahedra sharing a corner with each pyramid. The Na and Sr atoms are situated between the chains. Electron diffraction and HREM investigations confirmed the crystal structure. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility indicates low-dimensional magnetic behavior with a sizeable strength of the magnetic intra-chain exchange J of the order of 80 K, which is very likely due to superexchange through the two VO₄ tetrahedra linking the magnetic V⁴⁺ cations.     

Interplay of Charge Transfer, Dimensionality, and Amide Hydrogen Bond Network Adaptability in TCNQF4 Complexes of EDO-TTF-CONH2 and EDT-TTF-CONH2

[EDO-TTF-CONH₂][TCNQF₄], triclinic system, space group P-1, a=8.2479(12) Å, b=12.282(2) Å, c=12.6842(18) Å, α=113.850(17)°, β=106.420(17)°, γ=90.284(19)°, V=1116.8(4) ų; and [EDT-TTF-CONH₂]₂[TCNQF₄], triclinic system, space group P-1, a=6.5858(9) Å, b=11.699(2) Å, c=12.2281(18) Å, α=104.000(19)°, β=93.611(17)°, γ=98.279(19)°, V=899.9(3) ų, whose π-donor molecules, (ethylenedioxo)-carbamoyltetrathiafulvalene and (ethylenedithio)-carbamoyltetrathiafulvalene, respectively, differ solely by the nature of the chalcogen atoms in their outer ethylene dichalcogeno bridge, yet form very different charge-transfer complexes with the same π-acceptor. [EDO-TTF-CONH₂^•+]₂ [TCNQF₄^•−]₂ is a diamagnetic insulating ionic salt with a three-dimensional rock-salt-type structure based on discrete dimers while in the semi-conducting mixed-valence complex, [EDT-TTF-CONH₂]₂^•+[TCNQF₄^•−], the mixed-valence dimers aggregate into infinite chains interspersed within parallel rows of non-interacting radical anions. It is shown how the robust and adaptable supramolecular amide hydrogen bond tweezers-like motifs common to the two solids simply comply to the 3-to-1 dimensionality reduction upon substitution of O for S.     

Natural product chemistry,part 100: The structure of carissone,C15H24O2

Summary C₁₅H₂₄O₂,M=236.2, monoclinic, P 2₁,a=7.229(7),b=14.925 (9),c=6.235 (9) Å, =92.40 (9)°,V=672.1 ų,T=–133 °C,Z=2,D _x=1.17 g cm^–3. The X-ray diffraction analysis of this sesquiterpenoid fromCarissa opaca confirmed the previously proposed constitution of the isolate and, furthermore, allowed precise NMR assignment.

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Naturstoffchemie, 100. Mitt.: Die Struktur des Carissons, C₁₅H₂₄O₂

Zusammenfassung C₁₅H₂₄O₂,M=236.2, monoklin, P 2₁,a=7.229 (7),b=14.925 (9),c=6.235 (9) Å, =92.40 (9)°,V=672.1 ų,T=–133 °C,Z=2,D _x=1.17 g cm^–3. Die Röntgenstrukturanalyse dieses Sesquiterpenoids ausCarissa opaca bestätigte die bereits vorgeschlagene Struktur und erlaubte ferner eine genaue NMR-Zuordnung.

     

Synthesis and characterization of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds with a pillared layer structure: Ga2(4,4′-bpy)(XO4)2 (X=P, As)

Two organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(PO₄)₂, 1, and Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(AsO₄)₂, 2, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the triclinic space group (No. 2) with a=4.9723(9) Å, b=5.770(1) Å, c=11.812(2) Å, α=78.268(3)°, β=89.159(3)° γ=88.344(3)°, V=331.7(2) Å³, Z=1, and R1=0.0377 for 1, and a=5.1111(7) Å, b=5.9327(8) Å, c=11.788(2) Å, α=79.497(2)°, β=88.870(2)°, γ=88.784(2)°, V=351.3(2) Å³, and R1=0.0264 for 2. The structure consists of neutral sheets of GaXO₄ (X=P or As) which are pillared through 4,4′-bipyridine ligands. Each oxide layer, which is formed only by four-membered rings, is constructed from corner-sharing GaO₄N trigonal bipyramids and XO₄ tetrahedra. The title compounds are two of the few examples in which the gallium atoms are exclusively five-coordinate.     

A new lead Mo(IV) phosphate with a tunnel structure: Pb2Mo2O(PO4)2P2O7

A molybdenum (IV) phosphate containing lead, Pb₂Mo₂(PO₄)2P₂O₇, has been synthesized for the first time. It crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a=14.098(1) Å, b=14.187(2) Å, c=6.5592(4) Å and β=102.08(1)°. Its original tunnel structure, built up of Mo₂O₁₁ bioctahedra, P₂O₇ and PO₄ phosphate groups can be described from the assemblage of [Mo₄P₄O₂₄]_∞ ribbons interconnected through monophosphate groups. The stereoactivity of the 6s² lone pair of Pb²⁺, which is surrounded by nine oxygen atoms, is discussed.     

Crystal structures and photocatalysis of the triclinic polymorphs of BiNbO4 and BiTaO4

The high-temperature polymorphs of two photocatalytic materials, BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ were synthesized by the ceramic method. The crystal structures of these materials were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ crystallize into the triclinic system P1¯ (No. 2), with a=5.5376(4) Å, b=7.6184(3) Å, c=7.9324(36) Å, α=102.565(3)°, β=90.143(2)°, γ=92.788 (4)°, V=326.21 (5) Å³, Z=4 and a=5.931 (1) Å, b=7.672 (2) Å, c=7.786 (2) Å, α=102.94 (3)°, β=90.04 (3)° γ=93.53 (3)°, V=344.59 (1) Å³ and Z=4, respectively. The structures along the c-axis, consist of layers of [Bi₂O₂] units separated by puckered sheets of (Nb/Ta)O₆ octahedra. Photocatalytic studies on the degradation of dyes indicate selectivity of BiNbO₄ towards aromatics containing quinonic and azo functional groups.     

Sr4PbPt4O11, the first platinum oxide containing Pt2 ions

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of the new compound Sr₄PbPt₄O₁₁, containing platinum in highly unusual square pyramidal coordination. The crystals were obtained in molten lead oxide. The structure was solved by X-ray single crystal diffraction techniques on a twinned sample, the final R factors are R=0.0260 and wR=0.0262. The symmetry is triclinic, space group P1¯, with , , , α=90.421(3)°, β=89.773(8)°, γ=90.140(9)° and Z=2. The structure is built from dumbell-shaped Pt₂O₉ entities formed by a dinuclear metal-metal bonded Pt₂⁶⁺ ion with asymmetric environments of the two Pt atoms, classical PtO₄ square plane and unusual PtO₅ square pyramid. Successive Pt₂O₉ entities deduced from 90° rotations are connected through the oxygens of the PtO₄ basal squares to form [Pt₄O₁₀⁸⁻]_∞ columns further connected through Pb²⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the peculiar platinum coordination environment.