A new tetragonal structure type for Li2B2C

The ternary dilithium diboron carbide, Li₂B₂C (tetragonal, space group Pm2, tP10), crystallizes as a new structure type and consists of structural fragments which are typical for structures of elemental lithium and boron or binary borocarbide B₁₃C₂. The symmetries of the occupied sites are .m. and 2mm. for the B and C atoms, and m2 and 2mm. for the Li atoms. The coordination polyhedra around the Li atoms are cuboctahedra and 15‐vertex distorted pseudo‐Frank–Kasper polyhedra. The environment of the B atom is a ten‐vertex polyhedron. The nearest neighbours of the C atom are two B atoms, and this group is surrounded by a deformed cuboctahedron with one centred lateral facet. Electronic structure calculations using the TB–LMTO–ASA method reveal strong B...C and B...B interactions.     

The Ce2Li0.39Ni1.61Si2 structure as a new derivative of the AlB2 family

A new quaternary dicerium lithium/nickel disilicide, Ce₂Li_0.39Ni_1.61Si₂, crystallizes as a new structure type of intermetallic compounds closely related to the AlB₂ family. The crystal–chemical interrelationships between parent AlB₂‐type, BaLiSi, ZrBeSi and the title compound are discussed using the Bärnighausen formalism. Two Ce atoms occupy sites of 3m. symmetry. The remainder, i.e. Ni, mixed Ni/Li and Si atoms, occupy sites of m2 symmetry. The environment of the Ce atom is an 18‐vertex polyhedron and the Ni, Ni/Li and Si atoms are enclosed in tricapped trigonal prisms. The title structure can be assigned to class No. 10 (trigonal prism and its derivatives) according to the Krypyakevich classification scheme [Krypyakevich (1977). In Structure Types of Intermetallic Compounds. Moscow: Nauka]. The electronic structure of the title compound was calculated using the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital method in the atomic spheres approximation (TB‐LMTO‐ASA). Metallic bonding is dominant in this compound. The strongest interactions are Ni—Si and Ce—Si.     

Li15Al3Si6 (Li14.6Al3.4Si6), a compound displaying a heterographite‐like anionic framework

The title compound, lithium aluminium silicide (15/3/6), crystallizes in the hexagonal centrosymmetric space group P6₃/m. The three‐dimensional structure of this ternary compound may be depicted as two interpenetrating lattices, namely a graphite‐like Li₃Al₃Si₆ layer and a distorted diamond‐like lithium lattice. As is commonly found for LiAl alloys, the Li and Al atoms are found to share some crystallographic sites. The diamond‐like lattice is built up of Li cations, and the graphite‐like anionic layer is composed of Si, Al and Li atoms in which Si and Al are covalently bonded [Si—Al = 2.4672 (4) Å].     

Li12Cu12.60Al14.37: a new ternary derivative of the binary Laves phases

New ternary dodecalithium dodecacopper tetradecaaluminium, Li₁₂Cu_12.60Al_14.37 (trigonal, Rm, hR39), crystallizes as a new structure type and belongs to the structural family that derives from binary Laves phases. The Li atoms are enclosed in 15‐ and 16‐vertex and the Al3 atom in 14‐vertex pseudo‐Frank–Kasper polyhedra. The polyhedra around the statistical mixtures of (Cu,Al)1 and (Al,Cu)2 are distorted icosahedra. The electronic structure was calculated by the TB–LMTO–ASA (tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital atomic spheres approximation) method. The electron localization function, which indicates bond formation, is mostly located at the Al atoms. Thus, Al—Al bonding is much stronger than Li—Al or Cu—Al bonding. This indicates that, besides metallic bonding which is dominant in this compound, weak covalent Al—Al interactions also exist.     

LiBC3: a new borocarbide based on graphene and heterographene networks

Li–B–C alloys have attracted much interest because of their potential use in lithium‐ion batteries and superconducting materials. The formation of the new compound LiBC₃ [lithium boron tricarbide; own structure type, space group P m 2, a = 2.5408 (3) Å and c = 7.5989 (9) Å] has been revealed and belongs to the graphite‐like structure family. The crystal structure of LiBC₃ presents hexagonal graphene carbon networks, lithium layers and heterographene B/C networks, alternating sequentially along the c axis. According to electronic structure calculations using the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital‐atomic spheres approximations (TB–LMTO–ASA) method, strong covalent B—C and C—C interactions are established. The coordination polyhedra for the B and C atoms are trigonal prisms and for the Li atoms are hexagonal prisms.     

Li9Al4Sn5 as a new ordered superstructure of the Li13Sn5 type

Alloys from the ternary Li–Al–Sn system have been investigated with respect to possible applications as negative electrode materials in Li‐ion batteries. This led to the discovery of a new ternary compound, a superstructure of the Li₁₃Sn₅ binary compound. The ternary stannide, Li₉Al₄Sn₅ (nonalithium tetraaluminium pentastannide; trigonal, P m 1, hP18 ), crystallizes as a new structure type, which is an ordered variant of the binary Li₁₃Sn₅ structure type. One Li and one Sn site have m . symmetry, and all other atoms occupy sites of 3m . symmetry. The polyhedra around all types of atoms are rhombic dodecahedra. The electronic structure was calculated by the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital atomic spheres approximation method. The electron concentration is higher around the Sn and Al atoms, which form an [Al₄Sn₅]^m− polyanion.     

Lithium barium silicate,Li2BaSiO4, from synchrotron powder data

The structure of lithium barium silicate, Li₂BaSiO₄, has been determined from synchrotron radiation powder data. The title compound was synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6₃cm. It contains two Li atoms, one Ba atom (both site symmetry ..m on special position 6c), two Si atoms [on special positions 4b (site symmetry 3..) and 2a (site symmetry 3.m)] and four O atoms (one on general position 12d, and three on special positions 6c, 4b and 2a). The basic units of the structure are (Li₆SiO₁₃)⁵⁻ units, each comprising seven tetrahedra sharing edges and vertices. These basic units are connected by sharing corners parallel to [001] and through sharing (SiO₄)⁴⁻ tetrahedra in (001). The relationship between the structures and luminescence properties of Li₂SrSiO₄, Li₂CaSiO₄ and the title compound is discussed.     

Dilithium Hexaboride,Li2B6

Li₂B₆ is formed from the elements as transparent red microcrystalline compound (Li : B = 1 : 3; Mo crucible in closed Nb ampoule; 1723 K; 4 h). Single crystals are grown from a lithium silicide melt with large Li excess at 1923 K. Li₂B₆ is a semiconductor with electron as well as Li⁺ ionic conductivity which dominates above 600 K. Microcrystalline samples react with H₂O liberating gases and forming a brownish amorphous product, but larger crystals are not very sensitive. – Li₂B₆ crystallizes tetragonally in a new tP16 structure type which is a variant of the CaB₆ structure (a = 5.975 Å, c = 4.189 Å; Z = 2; space group P4/mbm). The [B₆^2–] net of the polymeric octahedro-anion is slightly distorted to give space for the insertion of a (3²434) net of the Li⁺ cations in the cavities (d(B–B)_endo = 1.766 Å; d(B–B)_exo = 1.720 Å; d(Li–B) = 2.363 Å; d(Li–Li) = 3.094 Å). The incomplete occupancy of the Li position (80%) and the electron density at a further position (20%) indicate the mobility of the Li⁺ cations.     

Tetraaqua‐1κO,2κ3O‐(μ‐2,4‐dinitrophenolato‐1κ2O1,O2:2κO1)(2,4‐dinitrophenolato‐1κ2O1,O2)dilithium(I): a dinuclear lithium(I) complex

The title complex, [Li₂(C₆H₃N₂O₅)₂(H₂O)₄], contains two kinds of Li atoms, viz. five‐coordinated and four‐coordinated. The five‐coordinated Li ion has a tetragonal–pyramidal geometry, with a water molecule in the apical position and four O atoms from two 2,4‐dinitrophenolate (2,4‐DNP) ligands in the basal plane. The four‐coordinated Li ion has a tetrahedral geometry, with three water molecules and one phenolate O atom of a 2,4‐DNP ligand. The Li ions are bridged by a phenolate O atom, giving the complex a dinuclear structure. The crystal packing is stabilized by O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the water molecules and nitro O atoms.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Lithium Motion of Li8SeN2 and Li8TeN2

The compounds Li₈EN₂ with E = Se, Te were obtained in form of orange microcrystalline powders from reactions of Li₂E with Li₃N. Single crystal growth of Li₈SeN₂ additionally succeeded from excess lithium. The crystal structures were refined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as well as X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction data (I4₁md, No. 109, Z = 4, Se: a = 7.048(1) Å, c = 9.995(1) Å, Te: a = 7.217(1) Å, c = 10.284(1) Å). Both compounds crystallize as isotypes with an anionic substructure motif known from cubic Laves phases and lithium distributed over four crystallographic sites in the void space of the anionic framework. Neutron powder diffraction pattern recorded in the temperature range from 3 K to 300 K and X‐ray diffraction patterns using synchrotron radiation taken from 300 K to 1000 K reveal the structural stability of both compounds in the studied temperature range until decomposition. Motional processes of lithium atoms in the title compounds were revealed by temperature dependent NMR spectroscopic investigations. Those are indicated by significant changes of the ⁷Li NMR signals. Lithium motion starts for Li₈SeN₂ above 150 K whereas it is already present in Li₈TeN₂ at this temperature. Quantum mechanical calculations of NMR spectroscopic parameters reveal clearly different environments of the lithium atoms determined by the electric field gradient, which are sensitive to the anisotropy of charge distribution at the nuclear sites. With respect to an increasing coordination number according to 2 + 1, 3, 3 + 1, and 4 for Li(3), Li(4), Li(2), and Li(1), respectively, the values of the electric field gradients decrease. Different environments of lithium predicted by quantum mechanical calculations are confirmed by ⁷Li NMR frequency sweep experiments at low temperatures.     

(K4Li4)Al8Ge8O32·8H2O: an Li+‐exchanged potassium aluminogermanate with the zeolite gismondine (GIS) topology

The title compound, lithium potassium dialuminium di­ger­man­ium octaoxide dihydrate, (K,Li)‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS (GIS is gismondine), is the result of a 50% Li⁺ exchange into the K‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS structure. The (K,Li)‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS structure was determined from a 4 × 4 × 2 µm octahedral single crystal at the ESRF synchrotron X‐ray source. The ion exchange results in a symmetry transformation from I2/a for K‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS to C2/c for (K,Li)‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS. The structural change is due to disordering of K⁺ ions with Li⁺ ions along the [001] channel and ordering of water molecules in the [101] channels. The distance between sites partially occupied by K⁺ ions increases from 2.19 (3) Å in K‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS to 2.94 (3) Å in (K,Li)‐(Al,Ge)‐GIS. The Li⁺ ions occupy positions along the twofold axis at the intersection of the eight‐membered‐ring channels in a twofold coordination with water mol­ecules. For the four closest framework O²⁻ anions, the Li⃛O distances are 3.87 (4) Å.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and chemical bonding of RE5−xLixGe4 (RE = Nd,Sm and Gd; x≃ 1) with the orthorhombic Gd5Si4 type

The syntheses and single‐crystal and electronic structures of three new ternary lithium rare earth germanides, RE_5−xLi_xGe₄ (RE = Nd, Sm and Gd; x≃ 1), namely tetrasamarium lithium tetragermanide (Sm_3.97Li_1.03Ge₄), tetraneodymium lithium tetragermanide (Nd_3.97Li_1.03Ge₄) and tetragadolinium lithium tetragermanide (Gd_3.96Li_1.03Ge₄), are reported. All three compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma and adopt the Gd₅Si₄ structure type (Pearson code oP36). There are six atoms in the asymmetric unit: Li1 in Wyckoff site 4c, RE1 in 8d, RE2 in 8d, Ge1 in 8d, Ge2 in 4c and Ge3 in 4c. One of the RE sites, i.e. RE2, is statistically occupied by RE and Li atoms, accounting for the small deviation from ideal RE₄LiGe₄ stoichiometry.     

Ba3Li2V2O7Cl4, a new vanadate with a channel structure

The tribarium dilithium divanadate tetrachloride Ba₃Li₂V₂O₇Cl₄ is a new vanadate with a channel structure and the first known vanadate containing both Ba and Li atoms. The structure contains four non‐equivalent Ba²⁺ sites (two with m and two with 2/m site symmetry), two Li⁺ sites, two nonmagnetic V⁵⁺ sites, five O²⁻ sites (three with m site symmetry) and four Cl⁻ sites (m site symmetry). One type of Li atom lies in LiO₄ tetrahedra (m site symmetry) and shares corners with VO₄ tetrahedra to form eight‐tetrahedron Li₃V₅O₂₄ rings and six‐tetrahedron Li₂V₄O₁₈ rings; these rings are linked within porous layers parallel to the ab plane and contain Ba²⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. The other Li atoms are located on inversion centres and form isolated chains of face‐sharing LiCl₆ octahedra.     

Untersuchungen zur Kristallstruktur von Lithium‐dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborat aus wäßriger Lösung: Li2(H2O)7[B12H12]

Investigations on the Crystal Structure of Lithium Dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate from Aqueous Solution: Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and subsequent isothermic evaporation of the resulting solution to dryness, it was possible to obtain the heptahydrate of lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · 7 H₂O (≡ Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂]). Its structure has been determined from X‐ray single crystal data at room temperature. The compound crystallizes as colourless, lath‐shaped, deliquescent crystals in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with the lattice constants a = 1215.18(7), b = 934.31(5), c = 1444.03(9) pm and four formula units in the unit cell. The crystal structure of Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] can not be described as a simple AB₂‐structure type. Instead it forms a layer‐like structure analogous to the well‐known barium compound Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. Characteristic feature is the formation of isolated cation pairs [Li₂(H₂O)₇]²⁺ in which the water molecules form two [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺ tetrahedra with eclipsed conformation, linked to a dimer via a common corner. The bridging oxygen atom (∢(Li‐ O ‐Li) = 112°) thereby formally substitutes Ba²⁺ in Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] according to (H₂ O )Li₂(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. A direct coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— cluster anions to the Li⁺ cations is not noticeable, however. The positions of the hydrogen atoms of both the water molecules and the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— units have all been localized. In addition, the formation of B‐H^δ—···^δ+H‐O‐hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the hydrogen atoms from the anionic [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— clusters is considered and their range and strength is discussed. The dehydratation of the heptahydrate has been investigated by DTA‐TG measurements and shown to take place in two steps at 56 and 151 °C, respectively. Thermal treatment leads to the anhydrous lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂], eventually.     

The first compound with an unusual type of anion, [Li(SR)2]–: bis­(μ2‐aqua‐d2)tetra­kis(aqua‐d2)dilithium(I) bis­[bis­(tri‐tert‐butoxy­silanethiol­ato‐κ2O,S)lithate(I)] dihydrate‐d2

The title complex, [Li₂(D₂O)₆][Li(C₉H₂₇SSiO₃)₂]₂·2D₂O, is the first compound with an S—M bond (M = alkali metal) within an unusual type of lithate anion, [Li(SR)₂]⁻ {where R is Si[OC(CH₃)₃]₃}. There is a centre of symmetry located in the middle of the Li₂O₂ ring of the cation. All Li atoms are four‐coordinate, with LiO₄ (cations) and LiO₂S₂ (anions) cores. The singly charged [Li(SR)₂]⁻ anions are well separated from the doubly charged [Li₂(D₂O)₆]²⁺ cations; the distance between Li atoms from differently charged ions is greater than 5 Å. Both ion types are held within an extended network of O—D⋯O and O—D⋯S hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization and Physical Properties of a New Member of Ternary Lithium Layered Compounds – Li2RhO3

Li₂RhO₃ was synthesized by solid state reaction and its crystal structure was refined from X‐ray powder data by the Rietveld‐method. The compound was obtained as a black powder and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m, with unit cell parameters a = 5.1198(1), b = 8.8497(1), c = 5.1030(1) Å, β = 109.61(2) °, V = 217.80(1), and Z = 4. The structure determination shows that the oxygen atoms in Li₂RhO₃ form an approximate cubic close packing, where all octahedral voids are occupied by Rh⁴⁺ and Li⁺ cations. The structure is closely related to the α‐NaFeO₂ and Li₂MnO₃ layered structure types (layered variants of the NaCl‐type), but in Li₂RhO₃ the lithium and rhodium atoms are partially disordered. Li₂RhO₃ behaves as a semiconductor with rather small activation energy of 7.68 kJ · mol^–1 and is thermally stable up to 1273 K in argon atmosphere. According to measurements of the magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range from 2 to 330 K, Li₂RhO₃ is paramagnetic, obeys the Curie–Weiss law at temperatures above 150 K, and has an effective magnetic moment of 1.97 μ_B at 300 K.     

Li12Cu16+xAl26−x (x = 3.2): a new intermetallic structure type

The new ternary lithium copper aluminide, Li₁₂Cu_16+xAl_26−x (x = 3.2), dodecalithium nonadecacopper tricosaaluminide, crystallizes in a new structure type with space group P4/mbm. Among nine independent atomic positions, two Al (one of which is statistically disordered with Cu) and three Li atoms have point symmetry m.2m, two statistically disordered Al/Cu atoms are in m.. sites, one Al atom is in a 4/m.. site and one Cu atom occupies a general site. The framework of Li₁₂Cu_16+xAl_26−x consists of pseudo‐Frank–Kasper polyhedra enclosing channels of hexagonal prisms occupied by Li atoms. The crystallochemical peculiarity of this new structure type is discussed in relation to the derivatives from Laves phases (LiCuAl₂ and Li₈Cu_12+xAl_6−x) and to the well known CaCu₅ structure.     

Kristallstruktur eines Lithiumsilylamidbutanids

Crystal Structure of a Lithiumsilylamidebutanide Colorless single crystals of {Li₆[Me₂(H)Si—N—Si(H)—(CHMe₂)₂]₂[n‐C₄H₉]₄} ( 1 ) were obtained from a solution of Me₂(H)SiN(Li)Si(H)(CHMe₂)₂ and n‐C₄H₉Li in n‐hexane. The X‐ray analysis showed that the core of 1 is a distorted octahedron of lithium atoms with ten long and with two short LiÄLi distances. Four of the eight triangular Li₃ faces are capped by an n‐butyl group. The nitrogen atoms of the amide groups are situated about opposite edges of adjacent unoccupied Li₃ faces. (Si)H····Li interactions exist between the hydridic H atom of each Me₂(H)Si group and one Li atom.     

Li2B12 and Li3B12: Prediction of the Smallest Tubular and Cage‐like Boron Structures

An intriguing structural transition from the quasi‐planar form of B₁₂ cluster upon the interaction with lithium atoms is reported. High‐level computations show that the lowest energy structures of LiB₁₂, Li₂B₁₂, and Li₃B₁₂ have quasi‐planar (C_s), tubular (D_6d), and cage‐like (C_s) geometries, respectively. The energetic cost of distorting the B₁₂ quasi‐planar fragment is overcompensated by an enhanced electrostatic interaction between the Li cations and the tubular or cage‐like B₁₂ fragments, which is the main reason of such drastic structural changes, resulting in the smallest tubular (Li₂B₁₂) and cage‐like (Li₃B₁₂) boron structures reported to date.     

[Li(THF)][Zn3(CH2CN)3(LiBr)(NPMe3)4] — ein funktionalisierter Phosphaniminato‐Komplex von Zink mit supramolekularer Struktur

[Li(THF)][Zn₃(CH₂CN)₃(LiBr)(NPMe₃)₄] — a functionalized Phosphoraneiminato Complex of Zinc with Supramolecular Structure [Li(THF)][Zn₃(CH₂CN)₃(LiBr)(NPMe₃)₄] ( 1 ) has been prepared from the heterocubane [ZnBr(NPMe₃)]₄ and LiCH₂CN in tetrahydrofuran suspension to give colourless crystals which were characterized by IR‐spectroscopy and by a crystal structure analysis. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnam with four units per unit cell. Lattice dimensions at 203 K: a = 2156.9(10), b = 1546.9(14), c = 1226.2(4) pm, R₁ = 0.0756. The structure consists of the anionic heterocubane [Zn₃(CH₂CN)₃(LiBr)(NPMe₃)₄]^—, the eight skeleton atoms of which are the three zinc atoms and the lithium atom as well as the four nitrogen atoms of the phosphoraneiminato groups. The charge of this anionic cube is compensated by a Li⁺‐ion to which is coordinated a THF molecule, as well as three cyanomethyl‐nitrogen atoms of three different cubes. This results in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure.