Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, Raman spectroscopy, and self-irradiation studies of Cm(IO3)3

The study of curium iodate, Cm(IO₃)₃, was undertaken as part of a systematic investigation of the 4f- and 5f-elements’ iodates. The reaction of ²⁴⁸CmCl₃ with aqueous H₅IO₆ under mild hydrothermal conditions results in the reduction of IO₆⁵⁻ to IO₃⁻ anions, and the subsequent formation of Cm(IO₃)₃ single crystals. Crystallographic data are: (193 K, MoKα, ): monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, , , , β=100.142(2)°, V=811.76(14), Z=4, R(F)=2.11%, for 119 parameters with 1917 reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure consists of Cm³⁺ cations bound by iodate anions to form [Cm(IO₃)₈] units, where the local coordination environment around the curium centers can be described as a distorted dodecahedron. There are three crystallographically unique iodate anions within the structure; two iodates bridge between three Cm centers, and one iodate bridges between two Cm centers and has a terminal oxygen atom. The bridging of the curium centers by the iodate anions creates a three-dimensional structure. Three strong Raman bands with comparable intensities were observed at 846, 804, and 760 cm⁻¹ and correspond to the I-O symmetric stretching of the three crystallographically distinct iodate ions. The Raman profile suggests a lack of inter-ionic vibrational coupling of the I-O stretching, while intra-ionic coupling provides symmetric and asymmetric components that correspond to each iodate site. Repeated collection of X-ray diffraction data for a crystal of Cm(IO₃)₃ over a period of time revealed a gradual expansion of the unit cell from self-irradiation. After 71 days, the new parameters were: , , , β=100.021(2)°, V=818.3(2).     

Syntheses, crystal and electronic structure, and some optical and transport properties of LnCuOTe (Ln=La, Ce, Nd)

Three new compounds, LaCuOTe, CeCuOTe, and NdCuOTe, have been synthesized from the respective rare-earth elements, CuO, and a KI flux at 1023 K. The compounds, which have the ZrSiCuAs structure type, are isostructural to LaCuOS, and crystallize in space group P4/nmm of the tetragonal system with two formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of , , for LaCuOTe; , , for CeCuOTe; and , , for NdCuOTe. The structure of LnCuOTe (Ln=La, Ce, Nd) is composed of alternating PbO-like [Ln₂O₂] and anti-PbO-like [Cu₂Te₂] layers stacked perpendicular to [0 0 1]. The experimental optical band gaps of LaCuOTe and NdCuOTe are 2.31 and 2.26 eV, respectively. At 298 K the electrical conductivity of LaCuOTe is 1.65 S/cm and the Hall mobility is +80.6 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. The positive values of the Seebeck and Hall coefficients indicate p-type electrical conduction. First-principles theoretical calculations were performed on LaCuOQ (Q=S, Se, Te). In LaCuOTe, Cu 3d and Te 5p orbitals dominate the states near the valence band maximum; the states near the conduction band minimum are composed of Cu 4s, Te 5p, and La 5d orbitals. The larger dispersion of Cu 3d orbitals and the presence of Te 5p orbitals near the valence band maximum are responsible for the larger hole mobility of LaCuOTe compared to LaCuOS and LaCuOSe.     

A one-dimensional zirconium hydroxyfluoride, [Zr(OH)2F3][enH]

The first example of a unidimensional zirconium hydroxide fluoride was synthesized under mild solvothermal treatment and characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermal techniques. Monoprotonated ethylenediamine cations reside between the anionic chains. Crystal data for this material are as follows: [C₂N₂H₉][Zr(OH)₂F₃], M=243.35, orthorhombic, space group Pca2₁, a=6.8016(13), b=6.1393(12), , , , Z=4, , μ(Mo-Kα)=1.777 mm⁻¹, . The material transforms to an unknown layered material at ∼175 °C, a common occurrence for 1D structures where the chains are arranged in hydrogen-bonded layers and separated by interlayer organoammoniums. Collapse to the known condensed mineral phase Zr(FO)_2.7 occurs at ca. 275 °C before finally transforming to the baddeleyite form of ZrO₂ at ca. 460 °C.     

Crystal structure and vibrational properties of new luminescent hosts K3YF6 and K3GdF6

The luminescence hosts K₃YF₆ and K₃GdF₆ were obtained in a single-crystal form. Their crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Both crystals adopt monoclinic system with space group P2₁/n, Z=2. Lattice parameters for K₃YF₆ are refined to the following values , , , β=90.65(3) and for K₃GdF₆, , , β=90.80(3). The vibrational analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy at room temperature, was applied to these compounds in order to study the site symmetry of Y³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions.     

Crystal structures and cation ordering of Sr2AlSbO6 and Sr2CoSbO6

The two double perovskite oxides Sr₂AlSbO₆ and Sr₂CoSbO₆ were prepared and their structures studied with the X-ray powder diffraction method. At room temperature the crystal structure of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is cubic , with . It was found that depending on the preparation conditions, the Al³⁺ and Sb⁵⁺ cations can be either entirely or partially ordered. In the case of the partially ordered Sr₂AlSbO₆ sample, the extension of cation ordering was estimated from the -dependent broadening of the diffraction peaks and the results were interpreted as evidence of the formation of anti-phase domains in the material. Low-temperature Raman spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that the cubic phase of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is stable down to 79 K.The room-temperature crystal structure of Sr₂CoSbO₆ is trigonal (space group with and . At 470 K, however, the material undergoes a continuous phase transition and its structure is converted to cubic (space group . The studied Sr₂CoSbO₆ sample was partially ordered, but unlike Sr₂AlSbO₆, no indication of the formation of anti-phase domains was observed.     

Thermoanalytical study of linkage isomerism in coordination compounds: Part I. Reinvestigation of thermodynamic and thermokinetic of solid state interconversion of nitrito (ONO) and nitro (NO2) isomers of pentaaminecobalt(III) chloride by means of DSC

Solid state thermal isomerization of [Co(NH₃)₅(ONO)]Cl₂ (nitrito isomer) to [Co(NH₃)₅(NO₂)]Cl₂ (nitro isomer) and reverse reaction were investigated by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and found to be essentially an equilibrium process. The interconversions are accelerated at above 65 °C and reach to equilibrium state at about 155 °C. After establishment of the equilibrium the relative amounts of two isomers at any temperature are governed by Gibbs free energy relationship. The experimental enthalpy changes of isomerization of pure nitrito and nitro solid samples to the equilibrium state are −4.67 (±0.19) and 0.99 (±0.05) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. From these values, total enthalpy change was calculated as: ΔH°=−5.66(±0.20) kJ mol⁻¹. Using Gibbs free energy relationship, equilibrium constant, total free energy and entropy changes were estimated at 60 °C as: K=7.72(±0.8),  kJ mol⁻¹ and  J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.An initial rate method has been developed to determine the kinetic parameters of these reactions from non-isothermal DSC data. Both nitro to nitrito and reverse reactions obey first order kinetic law in solid state. Estimated activation parameters of forward and reverse paths at 60 °C are , , and , respectively. The negative activation entropy of both directions support the intramolecular mechanism of isomerization, including formation of a seven coordinate transition state, which formerly suggested based on spectral and X-ray methods.     

PbI4Cu2(PPh3)4: A heterometallic iodide with unusual cis-divacant octahedral coordination sphere for lead: Synthesis, structure, red-infrared fluorescence and theoretical studies

A new heterometallic iodide, PbI₄Cu₂(PPh₃)₄, was synthesized by reactions of PbI₂, CuI and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) in DMF solution. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that Pb(II) center adopts an unusual cis-divacant octahedral geometry. Crystal data: triclinic, space group , , , , α=106.623(4)°, β=103.478(6)°, γ=93.574(5)°, and Z=2. Density function theory (DFT) calculations and fragment orbital interaction analyses reveal the presence of a three-center four-electron (3c-4e) hypervalent bonding about lead; and the formation of the unusual cis-divacant [PbI₄]²⁻ octahedron is energetically favorable. The title yellow compound has an optical bandgap of 2.69 eV and shows remarkable red-infrared fluorescence emission at 732 nm with lifetime of 24 μs which is assigned as an iodine 5p-lead 6s to PPh₃-lead 6p charge transfer (XM-LM-CT).     

Determination of arsenic, iron and selenium in moss samples using hexapole collision cell, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Different collision gases (H₂, He and premixed 7% H₂ in He) used in the hexapole collision cell of an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) were compared, and the gas-flow rates were optimized for the determination of arsenic (), iron () and selenium (). The study showed that the argon-based interferences at mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) of 56, 75 and 80 can be overcome by the optimized gas flows (7.5 ml min⁻¹ premixed 7% H₂ in He and 2 ml min⁻¹ H₂) in the hexapole collision cell. Detection limits of 15.5 ng l⁻¹ for iron () and 29 ng l⁻¹ for selenium () in 2% (v/v) HNO₃ were obtained under optimized collision cell conditions. The detection limit for arsenic () obtained in difficult hydrochloride acid matrix (5% HCl (v/v)) was 153 ng l⁻¹. The accuracy of the optimized method was confirmed by analyzing two moss reference materials. The results obtained by ICP-MS for arsenic, selenium and iron from both moss reference samples were, in most cases, in good agreement with the certified values.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of the europium(II) selenido pnictogenates(III), EuPnSe3 (Pn=Sb, Bi)

EuPnSe₃ (Pn=Sb, Bi) have been synthesized through the reaction of Eu with Pn₂Se₃ (Pn=Sb, Bi) and Se at 850-900 °C. These compounds are isotypic with SrPnSe₃ (Pn=Sb, Bi) and consist of square pyramidal PnSe₅ units and distorted PnSe₆ octahedra that form hollow columns that extend along the c-axis. These columns are separated by Eu²⁺ cations that occur as nine-coordinate tricapped trigonal prisms. There are also additional V-shaped triselenide Se₃²⁻ anions between the columns that bind the Eu²⁺ cations. The Se?Se contacts (in EuSbSe₃) in these units are 2.4584(11) and 2.4359(11) Å, which are consistent with Se-Se single bonds. The overall structure is chiral. Bond-valence sum calculations indicate that these compounds contain Eu²⁺. Magnetic susceptibility measurements provide values of 7.66 μ_B/Eu for EuSbSe₃ and 7.64 μ_B/Eu for EuBiSe₃, which are close to the expected free-ion moment for Eu²⁺. These compounds follow essentially Curie behavior from 300 to 5 K, and undergo an apparently antiferromagnetic transition below 5 K. Crystallographic data: EuSbSe₃, orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, , , , , Z=16, R(F)=2.63% for 183 parameters and 5095 reflections with I>2σ(I); EuBiSe₃, orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, , , , , Z=16, R(F)=2.68% for 183 parameters and 4895 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Structural and conductivity studies of CsKSO4Te(OH)6 and Rb1.25K0.75SO4Te(OH)6 materials

The crystal structures of the title compounds were solved using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. At room temperature CsKSO₄Te(OH)₆ was found to crystallize in the monoclinic system with Pn space group and lattice parameters: ; ; ; β=106.53(2)°; ; Z=4 and . The structural refinement has led to a reliability factor of R₁=0.0284 (wR₂=0.064) for 7577 independent reflections. Rb_1.25K_0.75SO₄Te(OH)₆ material possesses a monoclinic structure with space group P2₁/a and cell parameters: ; ; ; β=106.860(10)°; ; Z=4 and . The residuals are R₁=0.0297 and wR₂=0.0776 for 3336 independent reflections. The main interest of these structures is the presence of two different and independent anionic groups (TeO₆⁶⁻ and SO₄²⁻) in the same crystal.Complex impedance measurements (Z^*=Z^′—iZ^″) have been undertaken in the frequency and temperature ranges 20-10⁶ Hz and 400-600 K, respectively. The dielectric relaxation is studied in the complex modulus formalism M^*.     

Crystal growth, characterization and physical properties of PrNiSb3, NdNiSb3 and SmNiSb3

The crystal structures of three new intermetallic ternary compounds in the LnNiSb₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm) family have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃ all crystallize in an orthorhombic space group, Pbcm (No. 57), Z=12, with , , , and ; , , , and ; and , , , and , for Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm, respectively. These compounds consist of rare-earth atoms located above and below layers of nearly square, buckled Sb nets, along with layers of highly distorted edge- and face-sharing NiSb₆ octahedra. Resistivity data indicate metallic behavior for all three compounds. Magnetization measurements show antiferromagnetic behavior with (PrNiSb₃), 4.6 K (NdNiSb₃), and 2.9 K (SmNiSb₃). Effective moments of 3.62 μ_B, 3.90 μ_B and 0.80 μ_B are found for PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃, respectively, and are consistent with Pr³⁺ (f ²), Nd³⁺ (f ³), and Sm³⁺ (f ⁴).     

Thermodynamic properties of lithium mica: Lepidolite

Calorimetric measurements were made on natural sample of lepidolite having the composition (K_0.80Na_0.05Ca_0.07Rb_0.16Cs_0.03)(Li_1.34Al_1.40Fe³⁺_0.01)[Si_3.25Al_0.75O₁₀]F_1.80(OH)_0.20 from Na-Li-type rare-element-rich pegmatites of East Sayany, Russia. High-temperature enthalpy increments were measured with a Tian-Calvet calorimeter at 444-972 K using the drop method. The resultant (T) equation in the interval T = 298.15-972 K was calculated:  = 316.10 + 228.12 × 10⁻³ T − 50.10 × 10⁵ T⁻² (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) [± 0.4%] and the value of (298.15 K) = 327.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ was obtained. The standard molar enthalpy of formation from the elements was determined by high-temperature drop solution calorimetry in molten lead borate at T = 973 K. The value of Δ_f(298.15 K) for lepidolite was found to be −6201 ± 18 kJ mol⁻¹. The thermodynamic properties of lepidolite of idealized composition KLi_1.5Al_1.5[Si₃AlO₁₀]F₂ were estimated based on the experimental data obtained.     

Synthesis, characterization and standard molar enthalpy of formation of La(C7H5O3)2·(C9H6NO)

The product from reaction of lanthanum chloride seven-hydrate with salicylic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline, La(C₇H₅O₃)₂·(C₉H₆NO), was characterized by IR, elemental analysis, molar conductance, and thermogravimetric analysis. The standard molar enthalpies of solution of [LaCl₃·7H₂O (s)], [2C₇H₆O₃ (s)], [C₉H₇NO (s)] and [La(C₇H₅O₃)₂·(C₉H₆NO) (s)] in a mixed solvent of absolute ethyl alcohol, dimethyl formamide (DMF) and perchloric acid were determined by calorimetry to be [LaCl₃·7H₂O (s), 298.15 K] = −96.45 ± 0.18 kJ mol⁻¹, [2C₇H₆O₃ (s), 298.15 K] = 14.99 ± 0.17 kJ mol⁻¹, [C₉H₇NO (s), 298.15 K] = −3.86 ± 0.06 kJ mol⁻¹ and [La(C₇H₅O₃)₂·(C₉H₆NO) (s), 298.15 K] = −117.78 ± 0.11 kJ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy change of the reaction

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Synthesis and crystal structure of the isotypic rare earth thioborates Ce[BS3], Pr[BS3], and Nd[BS3]

The orthothioborates Ce[BS₃], Pr[BS₃] and Nd[BS₃] were prepared from mixtures of the rare earth (RE) metals together with amorphous boron and sulfur summing up to the compositions CeB₃S₆, PrB₅S₉ and NdB₃S₆. The following preparation routes were used: solid state reactions with maximum temperatures of 1323 K and high-pressure high-temperature syntheses at 1173 K and 3 GPa. Pr[BS₃] and Nd[BS₃] were also obtained from rare earth chlorides RECl₃ and sodium thioborate Na₂B₂S₅ by metathesis type reactions at maximum temperatures of 1073 K. The crystal structure of the title compounds was determined from X-ray powder diffraction data. The thioborates are isotypic and crystallize in the orthorhombic spacegroup Pna2₁ (No. 33; Z=4; Ce: , , ; Pr: , , ; Nd: , , ) . The crystal structures contain isolated [BS₃]^3‐ groups with boron in trigonal-planar coordination. The sulfur atoms form the vertices of undulated kagome nets, which are stacked along [100] according to the sequence ABAB. Within these nets every second triangle is occupied by boron and the large hexagons are centered by rare earth ions, which are surrounded by overall nine sulfur species.     

Reactions of pyridyl donors with halogens and interhalogens: an X-ray diffraction and FT-Raman investigation

Three different N-donors L, namely N-ethyl-N′-3-pyridyl-imidazolidine-4,5-dione-2-thione (1), N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-imidazolidine-4,5-dione-2-thione (2), and tetra-2-pyridyl-pyrazine (3), bearing one, two and four pyridyl substituents, respectively, have been reacted with halogens X₂ (X = Br, I) or interhalogens XY (X = I; Y = Cl, Br). CT σ-adducts L · nXY, bearing linear N?XY moieties (L = 3; X = I; Y = Br, I; n = 2), and salts containing the protonated cationic donors H_nLⁿ⁺ (L = 1 − 3; n = 1, 2, 4), counterbalanced by Cl⁻, Br⁻, , , , , I₂Br⁻, , or anions, have been isolated. Among the reactions products, (H1⁺)Cl⁻, (H1⁺)Br⁻, , , and 3 · 2IBr have been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The nature of the products has been elucidated based on elemental analysis and FT-Raman spectroscopy supported by MP2 and DFT calculations.