Tm2.22Co6Sn20 and TmLi2Co6Sn20 stannides as disordered derivatives of the Cr23C6 structure type

A new ternary dithulium hexacobalt icosastannide, Tm_2.22Co₆Sn₂₀, and a new quaternary thulium dilithium hexacobalt icosastannide, TmLi₂Co₆Sn₂₀, crystallize as disordered variants of the binary cubic Cr₂₃C₆ structure type (cF116). 48 Sn atoms occupy sites of m.m2 symmetry, 32 Sn atoms sites of .3m symmetry, 24 Co atoms sites of 4m.m symmetry, eight Li (or Tm in the case of the ternary phase) atoms sites of symmetry and four Tm atoms sites of symmetry. The environment of one Tm atom is an 18‐vertex polyhedron and that of the second Tm (or Li) atom is a 16‐vertex polyhedron. Tetragonal antiprismatic coordination is observed for the Co atoms. Two Sn atoms are enclosed in a heavily deformed bicapped hexagonal prism and a monocapped hexagonal prism, respectively, and the environment of the third Sn atom is a 12‐vertex polyhedron. The electronic structures of both title compounds were calculated using the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital method in the atomic spheres approximation (TB–LMTO–ASA). Metallic bonding is dominant in these compounds, but the presence of Sn—Sn covalent dumbbells is also observed.     

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.     

Crystal and electronic structures of La2LiGe6−x (x = 0.21) and La2LiGe4Si2

The synthesis and characterization of a new ternary dilanthanum lithium hexagermanide, La₂LiGe_6−x (x = 0.21), belonging to the Pr₂LiGe₆ structure type, and a quaternary dilanthanum lithium tetragermanium disilicide, La₂LiGe₄Si₂, which crystallizes as an ordered variant of this type, are reported. In both structures, Li is on a site of mmm symmetry. All other atoms are on sites of m2m symmetry. These structures are new representatives of a homologous linear structure series based on structural fragments of the AlB₂, CaF₂ and ZrSi₂ structure types. The observed 17‐vertex polyhedra are typical for La atoms and the environment of the Li atom is cubic. Two Ge atoms are enclosed in a tetragonal prism with one added atom (nine‐vertex polyhedron). The trigonal prismatic coordination is typical for Ge or Si atoms. The metallic nature of the bonding is indicated by the interatomic distances and electronic structure calculations.     

Lanthanum tetrazinc,LaZn4

The structure of lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn₄, has been determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data for the first time, approximately 70 years after its discovery. The compound exhibits a new structure type in the space group Cmcm, with one La atom and two Zn atoms occupying sites with m2m symmetry, and one Zn atom occupying a site with 2.. symmetry. The structure is closely related to the BaAl₄, La₃Al₁₁, BaNi₂Si₂ and CaCu₅ structure types, which can be presented as close‐packed arrangements of 18‐vertex clusters, in this case LaZn₁₈. The kindred structure types contain related 18‐vertex clusters around atoms of the rare earth or alkaline earth metal.     

Ba[Co3(VO4)2(OH)2] with a regular Kagomé lattice

The new layered title compound, barium di‐μ‐hydroxido‐di‐μ‐vanadato‐tricobaltate(II), was prepared under low‐temperature hydrothermal conditions. Its crystal structure comprises Co²⁺ and O²⁻ ions in the Kagomé geometry. The octahedral Co₃O₆(OH)₂ Kagomé layers, made up of edge‐shared CoO₄(OH)₂ octahedra with Co on a site of 2/m symmetry, alternate along the c axis with barium vanadate heteropolyhedral layers, in which Ba is on a site of m symmetry and V is on a site of 3m symmetry. All three O atoms and the H atom also occupy special positions: two O atoms and the H atom are on sites with 3m symmetry and one O atom is on a site with m symmetry. Ba[Co₃(VO₄)₂(OH)₂] represents the first compound from the four‐component BaO–CoO–V₂O₅–H₂O system and its structure is topologically related to the minerals vesignieite, Ba[Cu₃(VO₄)₂(OH)₂], and bayldonite, Pb[Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(OH)₂].     

Ternary Rare Earth Rhodium Antimonides Ln6Rh30Sb19 with Ln = La–Nd,Sm, and Eu

The six title compounds were prepared by annealing cold‐pressed pellets consisting of stoichiometric mixtures of binary rare earth and rhodium antimonides with additional elemental rhodium in evacuated silica tubes. Their crystal structure was determined from four‐circle X‐ray diffractometer data of a Eu₆Rh₃₀Sb₁₉ single crystal, which was isolated from an arc‐melted sample annealed just below the melting temperature in a high‐frequency furnace. It is hexagonal: P6₃/m, a = 1693.2(2) pm, c = 408.11(4) pm, Z = 1. The least‐squares refinement resulted in a residual of R = 0.034 for 1259 structure factors and 62 variable parameters. The structure shows some disorder around the 6₃ axis but otherwise is very similar to the structures of Sc₆Co₃₀Si₁₉ and Yb₆Co₃₀P₁₉, but different from that of U₆Co₃₀Si₁₉. The plot of the cell volumes of the new series Ln₆Rh₃₀Sb₁₉ indicates the europium atoms in Eu₆Rh₃₀Sb₁₉ to be at least partially divalent.     

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].     

Semiempirical study of electronic and bonding properties of cobalt silicide clusters

The electronic structure of cobalt silicide clusters Co₇Si₇ and Si₇Co₇ was studied in comparison to that of Co₁₉ and Si₁₇ clusters under the scope of the MINDO/SR method. Clusters Co₇Si₇ and Si₇Co₇ represent the environment of a cobalt atom and that of a silicon atom in the cobalt monosilicide bulk, respectively. It is found that the Co? Si bond is essentially sp in character with an indirect participation (by electrostatic interaction) of the cobalt d orbitals. Our calculations show a charge transfer from silicon to the d orbitals of cobalt via sp–sp interaction with an internal sp–d hybridization. The theoretical density of states for cobalt silicide clusters are reported and compared with experimental results of surface spectroscopies. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

Tb3Pd2, Er3Pd2 and Er6Co5–x: structural variations and bonding in rare‐earth‐richer binary intermetallics

The three binary Tb/Er‐rich transition metal compounds Tb₃Pd₂ (triterbium dipalladium), Er₃Pd₂ (trierbium dipalladium) and Er₆Co_5–x (hexaerbium pentacobalt) crystallize in the space groups Pbam (Pearson symbol oP20), P4/mbm (tP10) and P6₃/m (hP22), respectively. Single crystals of Tb₃Pd₂ and Er₆Co_5–x suitable for X‐ray structure analysis were obtained using rare‐earth halides as a flux. Tb₃Pd₂ adopts its own structure type, which can be described as a superstructural derivative of the U₃Si₂ type, which is the type adopted by Er₃Pd₂. Compound Er₆Co_5–x belongs to the Ce₆Co_2–xSi₃ family. All three compounds feature fused tricapped {TR₆} (R = rare‐earth metal and T = transition metal) trigonal prismatic heterometallic clusters. R₃Pd₂ is reported to crystallize in the U₃Si₂ type; however, our more detailed structure analysis reveals that deviations occur with heavier R elements. Similarly, Er₆Co_5–x was assumed to be stoichiometric Er₄Co₃ = Er₆Co_4.5. Our studies reveal that it has a single defective transition‐metal site leading to the composition Er₆Co_4.72(2). LMTO (linear muffin‐tin orbital)‐based electronic structure calculations suggest the strong domination of heteroatomic bonding in all three structures.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional [IrSi] Networks in the Silicides Sm3Ir2Si2, HoIrSi,and YbIrSi

New intermetallic rare earth iridium silicides Sm₃Ir₂Si₂, HoIrSi, and YbIrSi were synthesized by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. HoIrSi and YbIrSi crystallize in a TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma: a = 677.1(1), b = 417.37(6), c = 745.1(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0930, 340 F² values for HoIrSi, and a = 667.2(2), b = 414.16(8), c = 742.8(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0370, 262 F² values for YbIrSi with 20 parameters for each refinement. The iridium and silicon atoms build a three‐dimensional [IrSi] network in which the holmium(ytterbium) atoms are located in distorted hexagonal channels. Short Ir–Si distances (246–256 pm in YbIrSi) are indicative for strong Ir–Si bonding. Sm₃Ir₂Si₂ crystallizes in a site occupancy variant of the W₃CoB₃ type: Cmcm, a = 409.69(2), b = 1059.32(7), c = 1327.53(8) pm, wR2 = 0.0995, 383 F² values and 27 variables. The Ir1, Ir2, and Si atoms occupy the Co, B2, and B1 positions of W₃CoB₃, leading to eight‐membered Ir₄Si₄ rings within the puckered two‐dimensional [IrSi] network. The Ir–Si distances range from 245 to 251 pm. The [IrSi] networks are separated by the samarium atoms. Chemical bonding in HoIrSi, YbIrSi, and Sm₃Ir₂Si₂ is briefly discussed.     

Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von Ln2Al3Si2 und Ln2AlSi2 (Ln: Y,Tb–Lu)

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Ln ₂Al₃Si₂ and Ln ₂AlSi₂ ( Ln : Y, Tb–Lu) Eight new ternary aluminium silicides were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements and investigated by means of single‐crystal X‐ray methods. Tb₂Al₃Si₂ (a = 10.197(2), b = 4.045(1), c = 6.614(2) Å, β = 101.11(2)°) and Dy₂Al₃Si₂ (a = 10.144(6), b = 4.028(3), c = 6.580(6) Å, β = 101.04(6)°) crystallize in the Y₂Al₃Si₂ type structure, which contains wavy layers of Al and Si atoms linked together by additional Al atoms and linear Si–Al–Si bonds. Through this there are channels along [010], which are filled by Tb and Dy atoms respectively. The silicides Ln₂AlSi₂ with Ln = Y (a = 8.663(2), b = 5.748(1), c = 4.050(1) Å), Ho (a = 8.578(2), b = 5.732(1), c = 4.022(1) Å), Er (a = 8.529(2), b = 5.719(2), c = 4.011(1) Å), Tm (a = 8.454(5), b = 5.737(2), c = 3.984(2) Å) and Lu (a = 8.416(2), b = 5.662(2), c = 4.001(1) Å) crystallize in the W₂CoB₂ type structure (Immm; Z = 2), whereas the structure of Yb₂AlSi₂ (a = 6.765(2), c = 4.226(1) Å; P4/mbm; Z = 2) corresponds to a ternary variant of the U₃Si₂ type structure. In all compounds the Si atoms are coordinated by trigonal prisms of metal atoms, which are connected by common faces so that Si₂ pairs (d_Si–Si: 2.37–2.42 Å) are formed.     

Structures,magnetic properties,and electronic counting rule of metals‐encapsulated cage‐like M2 Si18 (M = Ti‐Zn) clusters

The geometries, magnetic properties and stabilities of the transition metal (TM) atoms encapsulated M₂Si₁₈ (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) clusters have been systematically calculated by using the density function theory with generalized gradient approximation. Only when the doping metal atom has no more than half‐full d electronic shell, a double hexagonal prism cage‐like M₂Si₁₈ structure could form. The total moments of M₂Si₁₈ are either 0 or 2μ_B. Co₂Si₁₈ is the most stable cluster among all 3d doped M₂Si₁₈ clusters. The model of shell closure at the TM atom may be helpful to understand the stability of M₂Si₁₈ clusters. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Phase transitions explanatory of the electrochemical degradation mechanism of Si based materials

Even if Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si showed a prominent improvement compared to Si in the capacity maintenance, it failed to thoroughly exclude the cyclic degradation that also consists in Si. Because the observation on dQ/dV curve of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si manifested that Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si is charged or discharged only by alloying or de-alloying between Si and Li, some analyses were conducted to Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si to figure out how the degradation of Si based materials is specifically related to alloying or de-alloying between Si and Li. Most of the up-to-now reports have just tried to give us a simple explanation that the volume expansion during alloying or de-alloying between Si and Li, may have something to do with the cyclic degradation of Si based materials. Thickness variation measured at various SOC’s or DOD’s, informed that there is a narrow potential region closely linked to the primary volume expansion of Si based materials. Based on XRD analyses at different SOC’s or DOD’s, it came clear that Li₁₅Si₄ is formed and decomposed in this potential region. Thermodynamic point of view has indicated that some of potential plateaus during charge or discharge are developed by phase transitions from amorphous Li_xSi to Li₁₅Si₄ and vice versa. Because phase transitions are definitely followed by huge volume change as confirmed in thickness variation result, OCV’s and CCV’s of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si during charge or discharge were compared to observe the change of electrode resistance. It let us know that the electrode resistance abruptly increases, wherever the volume expansion occurs with formation or decomposition of Li₁₅Si₄. Finally, the plateau-less discharge curves and improved cyclic property of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si in the potential region between 70 mV and 1 V vs. Li/Li⁺, which can restrain the formation of Li₁₅Si₄, made sure that Li₁₅Si₄ is closely related to the cyclic degradation of Si based materials.     

The Zintl Phase Eu2Si

The Zintl phase Eu₂Si was synthesized from elemental europium and silicon in a sealed tantalum tube in a high‐frequency furnace at 1270 K and subsequent annealing at 970 K. Investigation of the sample by X‐ray powder and single crystal techniques revealed: Co₂Si (anti‐PbCl₂) type, space group Pnma, a = 783.0(1), b = 504.71(9), c = 937.8(1) pm, wR2 = 0.1193, 459 F² values and 20 variables. The structure contains two europium and one silicon site. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic data show a single signal at an isomer shift of −9.63(3) mm/s, compatible with divalent europium. Within the Zintl concept electron counting can be written as (2Eu²⁺)⁴⁺Si⁴⁻, in agreement with the absence of Si‐Si bonding. Each silicon atom has nine europium neighbors in the form of a tri‐capped trigonal prism. The silicon coordinations of the Zintl phases Eu₂Si, Eu₅Si₃, EuSi, and EuSi₂ are compared.     

The Binary Silicides Eu5Si3 and Yb3Si5 – Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Chemical Bonding

The binary silicides Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ were prepared from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes and their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray data: I4/mcm, a = 791.88(7) pm, c = 1532.2(2) pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0545, 600 F² values, 16 variables for Eu₅Si₃ (Cr₅B₃-type) and P62m, a = 650.8(2) pm, c = 409.2(1) pm, Z = 1, wR2 = 0.0427, 375 F² values, 12 variables for Yb₃Si₅ (Th₃Pd₅ type). The new silicide Eu₅Si₃ contains isolated silicon atoms and silicon pairs with a Si–Si distance of 242.4 pm. This silicide may be described as a Zintl phase with the formula [5 Eu²⁺]¹⁰⁺[Si]^4–[Si₂]^6–. The silicon atoms in Yb₃Si₅ form a two-dimensional planar network with two-connected and three-connected silicon atoms. According to the Zintl-Klemm concept the formula of homogeneous mixed-valent Yb₃Si₅ may to a first approximation be written as [3 Yb]⁸⁺[2 Si^–]^2–[3 Si^2–]^6–. Magnetic susceptibility investigations of Eu₅Si₃ show Curie-Weiss behaviour above 100 K with a magnetic moment of 7.85(5) μ_B which is close to the free ion value of 7.94 μ_B for Eu²⁺. Chemical bonding in Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ was investigated by semi-empirical band structure calculations using an extended Hückel hamiltonian. The strongest bonding interactions are found for the Si–Si contacts followed by Eu–Si and Yb–Si, respectively. The main bonding characteristics in Eu₅Si₃ are antibonding Si1₂-π* and bonding Eu–Si1 states at the Fermi level. The same holds true for the silicon polyanion in Yb₃Si₅.     

Er4F2[Si2O7][SiO4]: Das erste Selten‐Erd‐Fluoridsilicat mit zwei verschiedenen Silicat‐Anionen

Er₄F₂[Si₂O₇][SiO₄]: The First Rare‐Earth Fluoride Silicate with Two Different Silicate Anions By the reaction of Er₂O₃ with ErF₃ and SiO₂ at 700 °C in sealed tantalum capsules using CsCl as flux (molar ratio 5 : 2 : 3 : 20), the compound Er₄F₂[Si₂O₇][SiO₄] (triclinic, P 1; a = 648.51(5), b = 660.34(5), c = 1324.43(9) pm, α = 87.449(8), β = 85.793(8), γ = 60.816(7)°; V_m = 148.69(1) cm³/mol, Z = 2) is obtained as pale pink platelets or lath‐shaped single crystals. It consists of disilicate anions [Si₂O₇]^6– in eclipsed conformation, ortho‐silicate anions [SiO₄]^4– and isolated [Er₄F₂]¹⁰⁺ units comprising two edge‐shared [Er₃F] triangles. Er³⁺ is surrounded by 7 + 1 (Er1) or 7 (Er2–Er4) anionic neighbors, respectively, of which two are F^– in the case of Er1 and Er4 but only one for Er2 and Er3. The other ligands recruit from oxygen atoms of the different oxosilicate groups. The crystal structure can be described as simple rowing up of the three building groups ([SiO₄]^4–, [Er₄F₂]¹⁰⁺, and [Si₂O₇]^6–) along [001]. The necessity of a large excess of fluoride for a successful synthesis of Er₄F₂[Si₂O₇][SiO₄] will be discussed.     

β‐Y2Si2O7, a new thortveitite‐type compound,determined at 100 and 280 K

A new form of Y₂Si₂O₇ (diyttrium heptaoxodisilicate) has been synthesized which is isotypic with thortveitite, Sc₂Si₂O₇, and crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/m, both at 100 and 280 K. The Y³⁺ cation occupies a distorted octahedral site, with Y—O bond lengths in the range 2.239 (2)–2.309 (2) Å. The SiO₄ tetrahedron is remarkably regular, with Si—O bond lengths in the range 1.619 (2)–1.630 (2) Å. The bridging O atom of the Si₂O₇ pyrosilicate group shows a large anisotropic displacement perpendicular to the Si—O bond. Changes in lattice and structural parameters upon cooling are small with, however, a distinct decrease of the anisotropic displacement of the briding O atom. Structure solution and refinement in the non‐centrosymmetric space group C2 are possible but do not yield a significantly different structure model. The Si—O—Si bond angle of the isolated Si₂O₇ groups is 179.2 (1)° at 280 K in C2 and 180° per symmetry in C2/m. The C2/m structure model is favoured.     

Theoretical Study of Pd11Si6 Nanosheet Compounds Including Seven‐Coordinated Si Species and Its Ge Analogues

Nanosheet compounds Pd₁₁(SiiPr)₂(SiiPr₂)₄(CNtBu)₁₀ ( 1 ) and Pd₁₁(SiiPr)₂(SiiPr₂)₄(CNMes)₁₀ ( 2 ), containing two Pd₇(SiiPr)(SiiPr₂)₂(CNR)₄ plates (R=tBu or Mes) connected with three common Pd atoms, were investigated with DFT method. All Pd atoms are somewhat positively charged and the electron density is accumulated between the Pd and Si atoms, indicating that a charge transfer (CT) occurs from the Pd to the Si atoms of the SiMe₂ and SiMe groups. Negative regions of the Laplacian of the electron density were found between the Pd and Si atoms. A model of a seven‐coordinated Si species, that is, Pd₅(Pd?SiMe), is predicted to be a stable pentagonal bipyramidal molecule. Five Pd atoms in the equatorial plane form bonding overlaps with two 3p orbitals of the Si atom. This is a new type of hypervalency. The Ge analogues have geometry and an electronic structure similar to those of the Si compounds. But their formation energies are smaller than those of the Si analogues. The use of the element Si is crucial to synthesize these nanoplate compounds.     

Polymeric aqua(nitrilotriacetato)erbium(III)

In the structure of the title compound, [Er(C₆H₆NO₆)(H₂O)]_n, the Er atoms are eight‐coordinated by one N atom and six O atoms from three symmetry‐related nitrilo­tri­acetate (NTA) ligands, and by one O atom of a water mol­ecule, adopting a distorted square‐antiprismatic geometry. The Er atoms are linked by the NTA ligands into layers, which are interconnected via O—H?O hydrogen bonds between the water mol­ecules and the carboxyl­ate O atoms. The asymmetric unit contains one Er atom, one NTA ligand and one water mol­ecule, all of which are located in general positions.