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.     

Ca1.5Eu3Sn0.5O7: a calcium europium tin oxide with a novel structure

A new quaternary compound in the Ca–Eu–Sn–O system, namely calcium europium tin hepta­oxide, Ca_1.5Eu₃Sn_0.5O₇, was prepared by solid‐state reaction at 2073 K. All atoms in the structure are on 4i special positions (on mirrors) in space group C2/m. Ca/Eu sites are situated within two O octa­hedra and within two sevenfold coordination sites surrounded by O‐capped trigonal prisms. A Ca/Eu/Sn site is coordinated by five O atoms. The structural formula can be represented as (Ca_0.28Eu_0.72)(Ca_0.16Eu_0.84)(Ca_0.46Eu_0.54)(Ca_0.28Eu_0.72)(Ca_0.32Eu_0.18Sn_0.50)O₇. The crystal structure is a new type and is related to the structure of B‐form Eu₂O₃.     

Structure of the calcium pyrophosphate monohydrate phase (Ca2P2O7·H2O): towards understanding the dehydration process in calcium pyrophosphate hydrates

Calcium pyrophosphate hydrate (CPP, Ca₂P₂O₇·nH₂O) and calcium orthophosphate compounds (including apatite, octacalcium phosphate etc.) are among the most prevalent pathological calcifications in joints. Even though only two dihydrated forms of CPP (CPPD) have been detected in vivo (monoclinic and triclinic CPPD), investigations of other hydrated forms such as tetrahydrated or amorphous CPP are relevant to a further understanding of the physicochemistry of those phases of biological interest. The synthesis of single crystals of calcium pyrophosphate monohydrate (CPPM; Ca₂P₂O₇·H₂O) by diffusion in silica gel at ambient temperature and the structural analysis of this phase are reported in this paper. Complementarily, data from synchrotron X‐ray diffraction on a CPPM powder sample have been fitted to the crystal parameters. Finally, the relationship between the resolved structure for the CPPM phase and the structure of the tetrahydrated calcium pyrophosphate β phase (CPPT‐β) is discussed.     

Crystal structure of the thortveitite‐related M phase, (MnxZn1–x)2V2O7 (0.75 < x < 0.913): a combined synchrotron powder and single‐crystal X‐ray study

The determination of the crystal structure of the M phase, (Mn_xZn_1–x)₂V₂O₇ (0.75 < x < 0.913), in the pseudobinary Mn₂V₂O₇–Zn₂V₂O₇ system for x ≃ 0.8 shows that the previously published triclinic unit‐cell parameters for this thortveitite‐related phase do not describe a true lattice for this phase. Instead, single‐crystal X‐ray data and Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X‐ray powder data show that the M phase has a different triclinic structure in the space group P with Z = 2. As prior work has suggested, the crystal structure can be described as a distorted version of the thortveitite crystal structure of β‐Mn₂V₂O₇. A twofold superstructure in diffraction patterns of crystals of the M phase used for single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction work arises from twinning by reticular pseudomerohedry. This superstructure can be described as a commensurate modulation of a pseudo‐monoclinic basis structure closely related to the crystal structure of β‐Mn₂V₂O₇. In comparison with the distortions introduced when β‐Mn₂V₂O₇ transforms at low temperature to α‐Mn₂V₂O₇, the distortions which give rise to the M phase from the β‐Mn₂V₂O₇ prototype are noticeably less pronounced.     

A novel crystal polymorph of volborthite,Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O

A new polymorph of volborthite [tricopper(II) divanadium(V) heptaoxide dihydroxide dihydrate], Cu₃V₂O₇(OH)₂·2H₂O, has been discovered in a single crystal prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. X‐ray analysis reveals that the monoclinic structure has the space group C2/c at room temperature, which is different from that of the previously reported C2/m structure. Both structures have Cu₃O₆(OH)₂ layers composed of edge‐sharing CuO₄(OH)₂ octahedra, with V₂O₇ pillars and water molecules between the layers. The Cu atoms occupy two and three independent crystallographic sites in the C2/m and C2/c structures, respectively, likely giving rise to different magnetic interactions between Cu^II spins in the kagome lattices embedded in the Cu₃O₆(OH)₂ layers.     

Zoledronate complexes. III. Two zoledronate complexes with alkaline earth metals: [Mg(C5H9N2O7P2)2(H2O)2] and [Ca(C5H8N2O7P2)(H2O)]n

Diaquabis[dihydrogen 1‐hydroxy‐2‐(imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)ethylidene‐1,1‐diphosphonato‐κ²O,O′]magnesium(II), [Mg(C₅H₉N₂O₇P₂)₂(H₂O)₂], consists of isolated dimeric units built up around an inversion centre and tightly interconnected by hydrogen bonding. The Mg^II cation resides at the symmetry centre, surrounded in a rather regular octahedral geometry by two chelating zwitterionic zoledronate(1−) [or dihydrogen 1‐hydroxy‐2‐(imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)ethylidene‐1,1‐diphosphonate] anions and two water molecules, in a pattern already found in a few reported isologues where the anion is bound to transition metals (Co, Zn and Ni). catena‐Poly[[aquacalcium(II)]‐μ₃‐[hydrogen 1‐hydroxy‐2‐(imidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)ethylidene‐1,1‐diphosphonato]‐κ⁵O:O,O′:O′,O′′], [Ca(C₅H₈N₂O₇P₂)(H₂O)]_n, consists instead of a Ca^II cation in a general position, a zwitterionic zoledronate(2−) anion and a coordinated water molecule. The geometry around the Ca^II atom, provided by six bisphosphonate O atoms and one water ligand, is that of a pentagonal bipyramid with the Ca^II atom displaced by 0.19 Å out of the equatorial plane. These Ca^II coordination polyhedra are `threaded' by the 2₁ axis so that successive polyhedra share edges of their pentagonal basal planes. This results in a strongly coupled rhomboidal Ca₂–O₂ chain which runs along [010]. These chains are in turn linked by an apical O atom from a –PO₃ group in a neighbouring chain. This O‐atom, shared between chains, generates strong covalently bonded planar arrays parallel to (100). Finally, these sheets are linked by hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional structure. Owing to the extreme affinity of zoledronic acid for bone tissue, in general, and with calcium as one of the major constituents of bone, it is expected that this structure will be useful in modelling some of the biologically interesting processes in which the drug takes part.     

Strontium chromium(II) diphosphate,SrCrP2O7

The structure of the title compound, SrCrP₂O₇, belongs to the series of isotypic crystal structures SrMP₂O₇ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn or Cd) and is closely related to α‐Ca₂P₂O₇. Chromium(II) shows a 4+1 square‐pyramidal coordination by oxy­gen. [CrO₅] units and the [P₂O₇] groups build a three‐dimensional framework with channels along the a axis, and Sr occupies these channels. In addition to the work on SrCrP₂O₇, lattice parameters for SrMnP₂O₇ have been determined for the first time and unit‐cell dimensions for SrZnP₂O₇ have been redetermined.     

Structural Variations in the Solid‐Solution Series LnxCa2−xAl[Al1+xSi1−xO7] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and Ln = La,Eu, Er

Gehlenite, Ca₂Al[AlSiO₇], has melilite‐type structure with space group . It contains two topologically distinct positions coordinated tetrahedrally by oxygen. One is completely occupied by Al³⁺, whereas the other one contains Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺. Normally, the Al³⁺ molar fraction in the second tetrahedrally coordinated position does not exceed x_Al = 0.5, i.e. the so‐called Loewenstein‐rule is obeyed. In this contribution the structural variations in the melilite‐type compounds of the compositions La_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇], Eu_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] and Er_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] are discussed. All members of the solid solution except the end‐members violate Loewenstein's rule. Rietveld refinements against X‐ray powder diffraction patterns confirm that the compounds have space group , without changes in the Wyckoff‐positions of the ions compared to gehlenite.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Nitridosilicates Ca5[Si2N6] and Ca7[NbSi2N9]

Ca₅[Si₂N₆] and Ca₇[NbSi₂N₉] were obtained by reaction of Ca₃N₂, Ca₂N and Si₃N₄ (with addition of niobium powder in case of Ca₇[NbSi₂N₉]) in closed tantalum ampoules at temperatures at 1060 °C and 1000 °C, respectively. Ca₅[Si₂N₆] is monoclinic C2/c with a = 983.6(2) pm, b = 605.2(1) pm, c = 1275.7(3), β = 100.20(3)° and Z = 4 crystallising homotypically to Ba₅[Si₂N₆]. The crystal structure contains pairs of edgesharing SiN₄ tetrahedra forming isolated nitridosilicate anions of [Si₂N₆]^10?. Ca₇[NbSi₂N₉] is monoclinic P2₁/m with a = 605.1(1), b = 994.6(2), c = 899.7(2), β = 92.10(1)°, Z = 2 and crystallises in an hitherto unknown structure type. Ca₇[NbSi₂N₉] contains isolated anions [NbSi₂N₉]^14? which are composed of two edgesharing SiN₄ tetrahedra and an edge‐sharing NbN₅ pyramid. So far, such a pseudotrisilicate unit has not been observed in the family of silicates.     

Synthesis,Band and Crystal Structures,and Optical Properties of the Ternary Compound Mg2Te3O8

The new spiroffite Mg₂Te₃O₈ ( 1 ) was prepared by hydrothemal methods and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group C2/c of the monoclinic system with two formula units in a cell: a = 12.6030(7), b = 5.2254(3), c = 11.6331(7) Å, β = 98.6960(10)°, V = 757.30(8) ų. The structure features a 3D open‐framework with spiroffite topology that has large tunnels approximately 3.2 × 5.5 Å. The optical properties and thermal stability of 1 were characterized by UV and IR spectroscopy as well as TG. Calculations of the electronic band structure along with the density of states (DOS) indicate that the present compound is a semiconductor with an indirect band gap, and that the optical absorption is mainly originated from the charge transitions from O‐2p state to Te‐5p and Te‐5s states.     

Crystal structure of Ca2Ln3Sb3O14 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Y): A novel variant of weberite

The crystal structures of Ca₂Ln₃Sb₃O₁₄ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Y) and Ca₂Sb₂O₇ at room temperature were refined by the Rietveld method using combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Ca₂Sb₂O₇ adopts the weberite structure having the space group Imma. The structures of Ca₂Ln₃Sb₃O₁₄ are, however, neither the orthorhombic nor the tetragonal chiolite as has been suggested previously. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group I2/m11 belonging to a hitherto unknown type of deformation of the parent (orthorhombic) weberite structure.     

Further Example of Diphosphates: Synthesis and Characterization of K2Li2P2O7

By the application of cation substitution, a new mixed‐alkali metal diphosphate, K₂Li₂P₂O₇, was successfully synthesized through high temperature solution method for the first time. The single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis shows that it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15), with lattice constants a = 9.814(3) Å, b = 5.5163(15) Å, c = 13.538(4) Å, Z = 4, and β = 110.47(2)°. Its open cage‐like _∞³[Li₂(P₂O₇)]^2– framework is built up from alternating arrangement of Li₂O₆ and P₂O₇ dimers that form eight and twelve‐membered‐ring channels along the [010] direction, and the K atoms are entrapped in the larger twelve‐membered‐ring channels. Detailed structure comparisons in the N₄P₂O₇ (N = mixed alkali metals) family are discussed. In addition, the structural validity was verified through the IR spectrum. Thermal analyses and UV/Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum are also performed on the reported compound.     

A ferroelectric barium titanate,BaTi2O5

The crystal structure of monobarium dititanium pentaoxide, BaTi₂O₅, synthesized by a floating‐zone method, was studied by X‐ray diffraction. Previous reports describe the structure as being in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group C2/m. We have recently found that this material exhibits ferroelectricity, and therefore BaTi₂O₅ should have lower symmetry. The crystal structure of BaTi₂O₅ was refined in space group C2, revealing a displacement of the Ti atoms along the b axis. This result is consistent with the fact that the ferroelectricity of BaTi₂O₅ was only observed along the b axis.     

Dipotassium tetra­chromate(VI), K2Cr4O13

The structure of dipotassium tetra­chromium(VI) trideca­oxide, K₂Cr₄O₁₃, has been determined from single‐crystal X‐ray data collected at 173 (2) K on a racemically twinned crystal with monoclinic Pc space‐group symmetry. The structure is composed of discrete [Cr₄O₁₃]²⁻ zigzag chains held together by the charge‐balancing potassium ions. The conformations adopted by the tetra­chromate anion in alkali metal salts and Cr₈O₂₁ are different and can be divided into three categories.     

Synthesis and structure of a new family of phases, A2MGe5O12: A = Rb,Cs; M = Be,Mg, Co,Zn

A new family of eight germanate phases, A₂MGe₅O₁₂: A = Rb, Cs; M = Be, Mg, Co, Zn, has been synthesized. They are cubic with a in the range 13.7 to 14.0 Å, Z = 8, and space group $\text{I}\text{4}\text{3d}$. These phases, named the β phases, are isostructural with KBSi₂O₆ which has a structure related to that of pollucite, CsAlSi₂O₆. The structure of one, Rb₂ZnGe₅O₁₂, has been refined to an R value of 0.079 using X-ray powder diffraction data. Several of the new phases are polymorphic. Cs₂ZnGe₅O₁₂, Cs₂CoGe₅O₁₂, and Rb₂MgGe₅O₁₂ form low-temperature, δ polymorphs which have primitive cubic unit cells. Rb₂ZnGe₅O₁₂ forms a low-temperature, ε polymorph which is probably a tetragonal distortion of the β structure.     

A New Cu, Al Fluoride Disilicate CuAl2F2(Si2O7) and its Relations to Topaz

CuAl₂F₂(Si₂O₇) has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction: space group Pnma, a = 8.8697(9), b = 14.084(2), c = 4.7553(5) Å, wR₂ = 0.056, R = 0.022. Cu²⁺ shows elongated square pyramidal coordination. Edge‐ and corner‐sharing [AlO₄F₂] octahedra with fluorine atoms in cis position form layers parallel to the ac plane. Along b these layers are linked by Si₂O₇ groups to form a three‐dimensional framework [Al₂F₂(Si₂O₇]^2–. In addition, the [CuO₅] pyramides connect two Al octahedra of neighbouring layers. The crystal structure is discussed as a derivative from topaz structure. The modular (or polysomatic) approach is used for this purpose, and for modelling hypothetical related compounds.     

Ca3Mn2O7

The tricalcium dimanganese heptaoxide (Ca₃Mn₂O₇) member of the Ruddlesden–Popper series Ca_n+1Mn_nO_3n+1, i.e. with n = 2, was previously reported with an I‐centred tetragonal lattice [a_t = 3.68 and c_t = 19.57 Å] by Fawcett, Sunstrom, Greenblatt, Croft & Ramanujachary [Chem. Mater. (1998), 10 , 3643–3651]. It is now found to be orthorhombic, with an A‐­centred lattice [a = 5.2347 (6), b = 5.2421 (2) and c = 19.4177 (19) Å]. The structure has been refined in space group A2₁am using X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction data and assuming the existence of twin domains related by the (10) plane. A comparison with the basic perovskite structure CaMnO₃ (n = ∞) is proposed.     

Die Kristallstruktur des Hexakaliumdigermanats,K6Ge2O7

The title compound is monoclinic, space group Pc (No. 7),a=6.549 (1),b=9.094 (1),c=11.426 (2) Å, =126.78 (1)° andZ=2. Its crystal structure has been refined from 1 323 single crystal X-ray reflections toR=0.131. The structure of K₆Ge₂O₇ is very similar to that of K₆Co₂O₇ and K₆Si₂O₇ both of which have been reported to be centrosymmetric, space group P2₁/c. While the angle at the bridging oxygen atom is 180° in the latter compounds, it is 157° in K₆Ge₂O₇.

     

K5.76Ga5.76Si10.24O32·3.4H2O,a gallosilicate with the zeolite gismondine topology

The title compound, K–GaSi–GIS, potassium gallium silicon oxide hydrate, was synthesized hydro­thermally and its crystal structure was determined from data collected on a single crystal of dimensions 10 × 10 × 8 µm at a synchrotron X‐ray source. The compound, which has the aluminosilicate (AlSi) zeolite gismondine (GIS) topology, Ca₄[Al₈Si₈O₃₂]·16H₂O, crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4₁/a. A disordered distribution of the framework Si/Ga sites leads to higher symmetry of the GIS‐type network compared with the usual monoclinic symmetry in AlSi–GIS. Framework Ga substitution for Al in AlSi–GIS leads to substantial distortion of the crankshaft chains, reducing the effective pore dimensions and suggesting the possibility of pore‐dimension control via partial framework‐cation substitution.     

β‐K2Cr2O7

The monoclinic modification of dipotassium dichromate, β‐K₂Cr₂O₇, has been synthesized in the K₂Cr₂O₇–H₂O system. The structure consists of K⁺ cations and Cr₂O₇^2? dimers. In contrast with triclinic α‐K₂Cr₂O₇ [Kuz'min, Ilyukhin, Kharitonov & Belov (1969). Krist.Tech. 4 , 441–461], the Cr₂O₇^2? groups in β‐K₂Cr₂O₇ have twofold crystallographic symmetry and are parallel to each other.