Absorption spectroscopy of AFeS2(A = K,Rb,Cs) compounds

The electronic absorption spectra at 77 K of KFeS₂, RbFeS₂ and CsFeS₂ were measured and the experimental bands were assigned on the basis of ligand-field theory regarding d⁵ high spin Fe³⁺ under a field of T_d symmetry yielding Δ ≈ ?4500 to ?5000 cm^?1.     

Crystal structures of M2FeO4 (M = K,Rb, Cs)

The crystal structure of K₂FeO₄, which is isomorphous with β-K₂SO₄, K₂MnO₄ and K₂CrO₄, has been determined in detail. In addition, Rb₂FeO₄ and Cs₂FeO₄ are shown to be of the same structural type. Crystals of K₂FeO₄ are orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a = 7.694(5), b = 5.858(7), c = 10.335(7) with Z = 4. The integrated intensities of 1174 independent reflections were measured with an automated diffractometer and refined to a weighted least-squares residue of 0.046. The average tetrahedral [FeO] bond length, corrected for libration effects, is 1.656(6) Å which is equal within experimental error to values observed for [CrO] and [MnO] tetrahedral bonds.     

Theoretical study of the electronic structure of LiX and NaX (X = Rb,Cs) molecules

Adiabatic potential energy, spectroscopic constants, dipole moments, and vibrational levels have been computed for the lowest electronic states of alkali dimers LiX and NaX (X = Rb, Cs). Calculations have been carried with the use of an ab initio approach with core‐potential potentials and full‐valence configuration. Thus, these systems are treated as two‐electron systems. A good agreement is obtained for some lowest states of the molecules studied with available theoretical works. The existence of numerous avoided crossings between electronic states for ¹Σ symmetries is related to the charge‐transfer process in each molecule between its two ionic systems (Li⁺X^?, Li^?X⁺) and (Na⁺X^?, Na^?X⁺). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

The AFeO2 (A=K, Rb and Cs) family: A comparative study of structures and structural phase transitions

Structures and phase transitions for the isostructural series of compounds KFeO₂, RbFeO₂ and CsFeO₂ have been systematically studied by synchrotron X-ray high resolution powder diffraction experiments and in case of CsFeO₂ also by single crystal diffractometry. At room temperature, all of the three compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic (Pbca) KGaO₂ type of structure consisting of a three dimensional network of corner-sharing [FeO_4/2]⁻ tetrahedra, which at elevated temperatures shows a reversible phase transformation to a cubic structure (space group ). For KFeO₂, RbFeO₂ and CsFeO₂ this phase transformation takes place at 1003 K, 737 K and 350 K respectively, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Upon heating through the transitions the major structural changes are driven by the onset or enhancement of librational motion of the FeO₄ tetrahedra. Due to this phenomenon the Fe-O-Fe bonds appear to step-wise getting straight, seemingly approaching 180° within the time and space averaged structure.     

Global minima of (C60)nCa, (C60)nF and (C60)nI clusters

Likely candidates for the lowest potential energy minima of (C₆₀)_nCa²⁺, (C₆₀)_nF⁻ and (C₆₀)_nI⁻ clusters are located using basin-hopping global optimisation. In each case, the potential energy surface is constructed using the Girifalco form for the C₆₀ intermolecular interaction, an averaged Lennard–Jones C₆₀–ion interaction, and a polarisation potential, which depends on the first few non-vanishing C₆₀ multipole polarisabilities. We find that the ions generally occupy the interstitial sites of a (C₆₀)_n cluster, the coordination shell being tetrahedral for Ca²⁺ and F⁻. The I⁻ ion has an octahedral coordination shell in the global minimum for (C₆₀)₆I⁻, however for 12  n  8 the preferred coordination geometry is trigonal prismatic.     

Structure and properties of superconducting and nonsuperconducting alkali-metal fullerides axc60 (A = Na,K, Rb,or Cs)

Shielding diamagnetism and X-ray powder diffraction were used to characterize alkali-metal fullerides of sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium. The superconducting phase in both the potassium and rubidium systems has the composition A₃C₆₀ and a face centered cubic structure with alkali metal filling all octahedral and tetrahedral sites of close packed C₆₀, layers. High pressure magnetic susceptibility measurements on K₃C₆₀ showed a negative pressure dependence on the superconducting transition temperature of −0.78 K/kbar. No evidence for superconductivity was observed in either the sodium or cesium systems, even though Na₃C₆₀ appears isostructural with K₃C₆₀ and Rb₃C₆₀.     

Semiempirical molecular dynamics studies of C60/C70 fullerene oxides: C60O, C60O2 and C70O

The spectral analysis indicates that all isomers of C₆₀O, C₇₀O and C₆₀O₂ have an epoxide-like structure (an oxygen atom bridging across a C–C bond). According to the geometrical structure analysis, there are two isomers of fullerene monoxide C₆₀O (the 5,6 bond and the 6,6 bond), eight isomers of fullerene monoxide C₇₀O and eight isomers of fullerene dioxide C₆₀O₂. In order to simulate the real reaction conditions at 300 K, the calculation of the different isomers of C₆₀O, C₆₀O₂ and C₇₀O fullerene oxides was carried out using the semiempirical molecular dynamics method with two different approaches: (a) consideration of the geometries and thermodynamic stabilities, and (b) consideration of the ozonolysis mechanism. According to the semiempirical molecular dynamic calculation analysis, the probable product of this ozonolysis reaction is C₆₀O with oxygen bridging over the 6–6 bond (C_2v). The most probable product in this reaction contains oxygen bridging across in the upper part of C₇₀ (6–6 bond in C₇₀O-2 or C₇₀O-4) an epoxide-like structure. C₆₀O₂-1, C₆₀O₂-3 and C₆₀O₂-5 are the most probable products for the fullerene dioxides. All of these reaction products are consistent with the experimental results. It is confirmed that the calculation results with the semiempirical molecular dynamics method are close to the experimental work. The semiempirical molecular dynamics method can offer both the reaction temperature effect by molecular dynamics and electronic structure, dipole moment by quantum chemistry calculation.     

The interaction between C28 (Td) and X (X=H and F)

Hydrogen and fluorine addition reactions with C₂₈(T_d) have been investigated by the density function theory method at B3LYP/6-31G level. The interaction potential between C₂₈(T_d) and atom X (X=H and F) shows that there are three possible stable isomers of C₂₈(T_d)X (X=H and F) and the average binding energy calculations suggest that C₂₈(T_d)H₄ is the most stable hydrogen adduct among C₂₈(T_d)H_n (n=1–28). Furthermore, by comparisons of the energy between C₂₈(T_d)H and C₂₈(C_s)H we found that the former are more stable than the later, and the structural and energy analysis further indicate that C₂₈(C_s)H is only with a small distortion of C₂₈(T_d)H symmetry. In addition, the transition states, as well as reaction pathways of X transfer reactions between different key points on C₂₈(T_d) representative patch are given to explore the possible reaction mechanism.     

Higher trifluoromethylated derivatives of C60, C60(CF3)16 and C60(CF3)18: Synthesis, structure, and theoretical study

Three isomers of C₆₀(CF₃)₁₆ and one isomer of C₆₀(CF₃)₁₈ have been isolated by HPLC from a mixture prepared by trifluoromethylation of C₆₀ with CF₃I in a glass ampoule at 380-400 °C. The molecular structures of the four new compounds have been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction and discussed in terms of mechanistic pathways of their formation and relative stability according to the DFT calculations.     

Neutron powder diffraction study of A2BeF4 (A=K, Rb, Cs): Structure refinement and analysis of background

The crystal structure of potassium, rubidium and caesium fluoroberyllates have been re-examined by neutron powder diffraction at room temperature and at 1.5 K. Previously, their structures, obtained from X-ray data, were described in the Pn2₁a space group. However, the results obtained from Rietveld refinements, using powder neutron diffraction, at both temperatures, indicated that all structures are orthorhombic with space group Pnma. The known phase transition at high temperature is probably related to the appearance of a hexagonal pseudo-symmetry instead of the elimination of the mirror plane between the above mentioned orthorhombic space groups. A possible phase transition, at very low temperature, was discarded considering the stereochemical criteria concerning the structural stability of A₂BX₄ compounds. This was confirmed by thermal analysis. On the other hand, a modulated background has been detected in all samples during the refinements. This is compatible with the presence of an amorphous phase, coexisting with the crystalline phase, or with a disordered component within the main crystalline phase. Instead of using a polynomial function, the background was modelled by Fourier filtering improving the fit for all patterns. The radial distribution function (RDF) was obtained from the analysis of the calculated background and compared with the RDF from the average crystal structure. The advantages of neutron with respect to X-ray diffraction were evidenced for this type of compound with β-K₂SO₄-type structure.     

Geometry and electronic structure of rhombohedral C60 polymer

Geometry and electronic structure of the rhombohedral C₆₀ polymer are studied by means of density-functional theory (DFT) within the local-density-approximation (LDA). It is found that stacking sequence proposed by Chen et al. is more stable than the original model by Núñez-Regueiro et al., although the energy difference between the two is very small. The material is a semiconductor with the LDA gap of 0.68 eV. Conduction bands show dependence on the way of stacking, and density of states has a sharp peak at the conduction bottom. Bond lengths are also calculated and found to be in good agreement with the results of the X-ray structure analysis.     

Theoretical investigation of the structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the ternary indium sulfide layered structures AInS2 (A = K,Rb and Cs)

Ab initio calculations were performed to investigate the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the ternary layered systems AInS₂ (A = K, Rb and Cs). The calculated structural parameters are in good agreement with the existing experimental data. Analysis of the electronic band structure shows that the three studied materials are direct band-gap semiconductors. Density of states, charge transfers and charge density distribution maps were computed and analyzed. Numerical estimations of the elastic moduli and their related properties for single-crystal and polycrystalline aggregates were predicted. The optical properties were calculated for incident radiation polarized along the [100], [010] and [001] crystallographic directions. The studied materials exhibit a noticeable anisotropic behaviour in the elastic and optical properties, which is expected due to the symmetry and the layered nature of these compounds.     

The hydrogenolysis of C60 and C70

Temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) of C₆₀ and C₇₀ with H₂ was carried out on nickel in order to investigate the thermal stability of the fullerenes in the catalytic hydrogenation. The TPR profiles showed two methanation peaks and the corresponding weight decrease above 420°C, indicating the hydrogenolysis to CH₄. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural phase stability studies on MBeH3 (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) from density functional calculations

Density functional theory calculations within the generalized-gradient approximation are used to establish the ground-state structure, equilibrium structural parameters, and electronic structure for MBeH(3) phases. From the 24 structural arrangements used as inputs for structural optimization calculations, the ground-state crystal structures of MBeH(3) phases have been predicted. At ambient conditions, LiBeH(3) and NaBeH(3) crystallize with perovskite-related orthorhombic and cubic structures, respectively. The remaining phases KBeH(3), RbBeH(3), and CsBeH(3) crystalize in a monoclinic structure. In the predicted phases one can store up to 15.93 wt % of hydrogen. The formation energy for the MBeH(3) phases have been investigated along different reaction pathways. The electronic structures reveal that all these phases are insulators with estimated band gaps varying between 1.79 and 3.44 eV.     

Ab initio properties of MgAlk (Alk = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)

High level ab initio calculations are performed on the ground electronic state of diatomic molecules MgAlk (Alk = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs). Potential energy curves and dipole moment functions are determined making use of the single-reference unrestricted and restricted coupled-cluster methods with large basis sets. Basic spectroscopic properties of the ground electronic states are derived from ro-vibrational bound state calculations.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoroisopropylated fullerenes: C60(i-C3F7)8, C60(i-C3F7)6, and C60(CF3)2(i-C3F7)2

One isomer of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₈, three isomers of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₆, and the first mixed perfluoroalkylated fullerene, C₆₀(CF₃)₂(i-C₃F₇)₂, have been isolated by HPLC from a mixture prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with heptafluoroisopropyl iodide in a glass ampoule at 260-290 °C. The molecular structures of the four new compounds have been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction partially also by use of synchrotron radiation. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level of theory have been employed to rationalize the energetics of isomers and of C₆₀-R_f binding.     

Solid-state synthesis, structural variants and transformation of three-dimensional sulfides, AGaSnS4 (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl) and Na1.263Ga1.263Sn0.737S4

New cubic-AGaSnS₄ (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl) and orthorhombic-NaGaSnS₄ compounds were synthesized by solid-state reactions and characterized by X-ray diffraction and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Single crystals of orthorhombic-Na_1.263Ga_1.263Sn_0.737S₄ were obtained in the crystal growth attempts of sodium compound. All six new compounds have orthorhombic AgGaGeS₄ and cubic BaGa₂S₄ structures, as determined from single crystal X-ray structures of Na_1.263Ga_1.263Sn_0.737S₄ and cubic-AGaSnS₄ (A=Na, K, Rb). Orthorhombic-NaGaSnS₄ and known layered-KGaSnS₄ undergo structural transformation to thermodynamically stable cubic form.     

Alkali-metal tetrafluoromanganate(III) monohydrates,AMnF4 · H2O (A = Rb OR Cs)

Deep brown crystalline AMnF₄ · H₂O have been synthesized from the reactions of KMnO₄ with AHF₂ (A = Rb or Cs) and 40% HF at ca     

Perturbed angular correlation measurements of electric field gradient at the metal site in M4Hf(C2O4)4 · nH2O(M = Na,K, Rb,Cs, NH4) compounds

The static electric-quandrupole interaction at the central metal site has been determined in the series of alkali metal tetrakisoxalatohafniates M₄Hf(C₂O₄)₄ · nH₂O using time-differential perturbed angular correlations of the ¹⁸¹Ta 133–482 keV γ-γ cascade. The influence of the geometrical distortions of the HfO₈ dodecahedron on the electric field gradient is discussed. The results obtained for the sodium and the potassium salts can be coherently interpreted with the point charge model if the true configuration of the HfO₈ groups is used.