Synthesis and an X-ray diffraction study of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]

The synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of compound Rb₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃], which crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, are performed. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 7.9996(6) Å, b = 8.8259(8) Å, c = 11.3220(7) Å, β = 105.394(2)°, and V = 770.7(1) ų; space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, and R ₁ = 0.0271. [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃]^2? layers belonging to the AK _0.5 ⁰² T ¹¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K ⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and T ¹¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? ) are uranium-containing structural units of the crystals. The layers are connected with outer-sphere rubidium cations by electrostatic interactions.     

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>5</Subscript>](ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Compound [UO₂(C₅H₁₂N₂O)₅](ClO₄)₂ is synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system; a = 15.2985(9) Å, b = 26.9676(15) Å, c = 20.6962(11) Å, β = 100.697(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 8, and R = 0.0445. Discrete [UO₂(C₅H₁₂N₂O)₅]²⁺ groups belonging to the AM ₅ ¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ and M ¹=C₅H₁₂N₂O) are uranium-containing structural units of the crystals.     

Ionic conductivity of ScF<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals (ReO<Subscript>3</Subscript> type)

Electrical conductivity σ of ScF₃ single crystals (sp. gr. \(Pm\overline 3 m\), ReO₃ structure type) has been studied by impedance spectroscopy and compared with the electrical conductivity of rare earth HoF₃ (β-YF₃ type) and LaF₃ (tysonite type) trifluorides. ScF₃ crystals obtained by Bridgman directional solidification have ionic conductivity σ = 4 × 10^–8 S/cm at 673 K. It is smaller than the σ values for LaF₃ (sp. gr. \(P\overline 3 c1\)) and HoF₃ (sp. gr. Pnma) single crystals by a factor of 10⁴–10⁵. The low conductivity of ScF₃ crystals is due to the weak coordinating ability (coordination number CN = 6) and low electronic polarizability (α_cat = 1.1 ų) of Sc³⁺ ions. Mobile V_F⁺ vacancies and less mobile interstitial V_i^- ions (defects are formed according to the Frenkel mechanism) are involved in the ion transport. HoF₃ and LaF₃ single crystals have a high coordinating ability (CN = 9 for Ho³⁺ and CN = 11 for La³⁺) and a high electronic polarizability of cations (α_cat = 1.6–1.9 ų for Ho³⁺ and α_cat = 2.2 ų for La³⁺). Only mobile V_F⁺ vacancies (defects are formed according to the Schottky mechanism) are involved in ion transport.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the [Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Nicotinamide)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)] complex

The [Co₂ L ₄(C₄H₉COO)₄(H₂O)] coordination compound of cobalt(II) valerate with nicotinamide (L) is synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the synthesized compound is determined. The crystals are triclinic, and the unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 10.2759(10) Å, b = 16.3858(10) Å, c = 16.4262(10) Å, α = 100.538(10)°, β = 101.199(10)°, γ = 90.813 (10)°, Z = 2, and space group P \(\bar 1\). The structural units of the crystal are dimeric molecular complexes in which pairs of cobalt atoms are linked by triple bridges formed by oxygen atoms of two bidentately coordinated valerate anions and a water molecule. The octahedral coordination of each cobalt atom is complemented by the pyridine nitrogen atoms of two nicotinamide ligands and the oxygen atom of the monodentate valerate group. The hydrocarbon chains of the valerate anions are disordered over two or three positions each.     

Refinement of the crystal structure of rhombohedral KU<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> as a representative of orthophosphates with the NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> structure

The crystal structure of the high-temperature β modification of synthetic orthophosphate KU₂(PO₄)₃ was refined from powder X-ray diffraction data by the Rietveld method: sp. gr. \(R\bar 3c\), the unit-cell parameters a= 9.113(1) Å and c= 24.997(1) Å. The isotropic refinement converged to R _wp = 6.15, R _B = 2.14, R _F = 3.52, and S = 0.42. It was confirmed that β-KU₂(PO₄)₃ belongs to the structure type of sodium zirconium phosphate containing an actinide atom in a sixfold (octahedral) coordination formed by oxygen atoms, which is unusual for orthophosphates. The principal interatomic distances and bond angles in the structure are reported.     

Thermal Expansion of EuF<Subscript>2 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Single Crystals and Their Thermal Stability

Thermal expansion of an EuF_2.136 nonstoichiometric crystal with the fluorite structure type (Eu _0.864 ²⁺ Eu _0.136 ³⁺ F_2.136, lattice parameter 5.82171(5) Å) has been experimentally investigated in the temperature range of 9–500 K. The coefficient of thermal expansion is α = 15.8 × 10^–6 K^–1 at T = 300 K. The observed anomalies in the behavior of the coefficient of thermal expansion at T > 400 K are related to the oxidation processes with partition of Eu²⁺ ions. It is established by differential scanning calorimetry that the onset temperature of EuF_{2 + x} oxidation in air is 430 K and that this process occurs in three stages. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the oxidation is accompanied by the formation of a phase mixture based on two modifications of the Eu _{1– y} ³⁺ Eu _y ²⁺ F_3–y solid solution with the structure types of tysonite (LaF₃), orthorhombic β-YF₃ phase, and europium oxyfluorides of variable composition EuO_1–xF_{1 + 2x}, with dominance of the latter.     

Crystalline structure of Cu<Subscript>4</Subscript>SSe

Ternary compound Cu₄SSe has been first synthesized by alloying the Cu, S, and Se elements taken in stoichiometric ratios. An X-ray diffraction study of polycrystalline samples has revealed the synthesized material to be crystallized into the trigonal system with unit-cell parameters а = 4.021(1) Å, с = 6.838(1) Å, and V = 95.75(4) ų; sp. gr. P\(\bar 3\)m1; Z = 1; D_x = 6.333(3) g/cm³. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to the reliability factor R_Bragg = 0.40%.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>NH<Subscript>5</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Crystals of UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)] · 2H₂O are synthesized and their structure is studied by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 7.0834(10) Å, b = 10.6358(14) Å, c = 12.9539(17) Å, α = 75.096(2)°, β = 74.490(2)°, and γ = 80.657(2)°; V = 904.1(2) ų, space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2, and R = 0.026. The structure is built of [UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)]₂ centrosymmetric dimers, which are linked into a framework by a system of hydrogen bonds involving inner-sphere and outer-sphere water molecules. The coordination number of the U(VI) atom is seven, and the coordination polyhedron is a pentagonal bipyramid with the oxygen atoms of the uranyl group, two chromate groups, two molecules of isonicotinic acid, and a water molecule at the vertices. The crystal chemical formula of the [UO₂CrO₄(C₅NH₅COO)₂(H₂O)]₂ dimer is represented as AB ² M ₃ ¹ , where AB ² M ₃ ¹ , where A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B ² = CrO ₄ ^2? , and M ¹ = = C₅NH₄COOH and H₂O.     

Structural transformations in Cu<Subscript>1.95</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>S crystals

A solid solution of the Cu_1.95Ni_0.05S composition has been synthesized for the first time due to the partial replacement of Cu with Ni atoms in Cu₂S. The polymorphic transformations in the polycrystalline samples in the temperature range of 300–1400 K have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. It is established that, at room temperature, the synthesized Cu_1.95Ni_0.05S samples have an orthorhombic lattice with unit-cell parameters a = 26.50 Å, b = 15.39 Å, and c = 13.85 Å (sp. gr. Abm2). Heating to T = 379 ± 2 K leads to its transformation into a hexagonal lattice with parameters a = 3.960 Å and c = 6.78 Å (sp. gr. P6₃/mmc). At 750 ± 2 K, the hexagonal modification is transformed into a cubic one with period a = 5.788 Å (sp. gr. Fm\(\bar 3\)m). The phase transition in this crystal is enantiotropic.     

Crystal structure of Ga<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>In<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solution

A solid solution of the GaIn₃Se₆ (2Ga_0.5In_1.5Se₃) composition with a hexagonal lattice (a = 7.051(3) Å, c = 19.148(2) Å, sp. gr. P6₁, z = 6, V = 824.4332(4) ų, ρ = 5.379(2) g/cm³) has been synthesized as a result of alloying Ga, In, and Se elements with a metal ratio of 1: 3. It was established that six out of nine In atoms in the lattice are located in a trigonal bipyramid, while the other three In atoms and three Ga atoms have a tetrahedral coordination.     

Growth and crystal structure of binary molybdate CsFe(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

CsFe(MoO₄)₂ single crystals have been grown by solution-melt crystallization with a charge-to-solvent ratio of 1: 3 (with Cs₂Mo₃O₁₀ used as a solvent). The crystal structure of this compound has been refined by X-ray diffraction (X8 APEX automatic diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 356 F(hkl), R = 0.0178). The trigonal unit cell has the following parameters: a = b = 5.6051(2) Å, c = 8.0118(4) Å, V = 217.985(15) ų, Z = 1, ρ_calc = 3.875 g/cm³, and sp. gr. P \(\bar 3\) m1. The structure is composed of alternating layers of FeO₆ octahedra (with MoO₄ tetrahedra attached by sharing vertices) and CsO₁₂ icosahedra.     

Accurate structural study of langasite-family Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystal

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.1056(2) Å, c = 4.9800(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.486/0.488%). A model structure is determined which is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of structural parameters. Each site in Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ is occupied by atoms of only one type. Nevertheless, its structural feature is asymmetric disordering of sites of Ca, Ta, Ga, and two out of three oxygen atoms occupying special and general sites. A transition of some part of Ca atoms (~3%) from 3e sites on the twofold symmetry axis to general 6g sites is revealed.     

Crystal structure of the new radical cation salt (<Emphasis Type="Italic">DOET</Emphasis>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>[Fe(CN)<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO]<Subscript>1.25</Subscript>(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl)<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>

A new radical cation salt based on 4,5-(1,4-dioxanediyl-2,3-dithio)-4′,5′-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene (DOET) with the photochromic anion [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2?, namely, (DOET)₄[Fe(CN)₅ NO]_1.25(C₆H₅Cl)_0.75, is synthesized. Single crystals of this salt are studied using X-ray diffraction [a = 10.398(2) Å, b = 11.168(2) Å, c = 18.499(4) Å, α = 103.14(3)°, β = 92.80(3)°, γ = 106.02(3)°, V = 1996.3(7) ų, space group \(P\bar 1\), and Z = 1]. In the structure, radical cation layers alternate with anion layers along the c axis. The centrosymmetric dimers are formed by DOET radical cations in the donor layer with packing of the β type. Like the vast majority of DOET-based salts, the new salt possesses semiconductor properties.     

Synthesis and structure of a terephthalato-bridged nickel complex [Ni(tpt)(imi)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>

At room temperature, a new coordination polymer [Ni(tpt)(imi)₃(H₂O)]n was synthesized by the reaction of NiCl₂?6H₂O, terephthalic acid, and imidazole in aqueous solution. The structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in monoclinicP2₁/n space group with the crystal cell parameters ofa = 9.8626(4) Å,b = 15.2498(3) Å, andc = 12.7681(3)Å, β = 90.309(2)^°,V = 1920.33(10) ų, andZ = 4. The crystal X-ray analysis shows that each nickel atom is coordinated by three imidazole ligands, two terephthalate ions, and one water molecule. Each terephthalate ion bridges two nickel atoms to form a zigzag chain. The chains are further linked together via hydrogen bonds to a three-dimensional network.     

Synthesis and characterization of a lead(II) complex [Pb(phen)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)

The monomeric lead(II) complex, [Pb(phen)(H₂O)(NO₃)₂] was prepared by a hydrothermal reaction of Pb(NO₃)₂, nitrilotriacetic acid, NaOH, 1,10-phenanthroline, and H₂O. The structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in monoclinic P2(1)/n space group with the crystal cell parameters of a = 6.3568(6), b = 20.2345(19), c = 11.2722(9) Å, β = 98.337(4)^°, V = 1434.6(2) ų, and Z = 4. The crystal X-ray analysis shows that the lead atom is six-coordinated by two N atoms of phen ligand, three oxygen atoms of nitrate anions and one water molecule. Owing to the presence of a lone pair of electrons of lead atom, a significant gap occurs in the coordination geometry around Pb ion. A 3D architecture is formed through the strong hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions.     

Crystal structure refinement of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript>

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (STGS) crystal (a = 8.3023(10) Å, c = 5.0853(2) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.59/0.52%, 4004 independent reflections) is performed. The use of two independent data sets obtained on diffractometers with point and 2D detectors made it possible to determine the model structure characterized by the best reproducibility of parameters. The ordered distribution of atoms over crystallographic positions and the anharmonic character of displacements of all cations and one oxygen atom are established.     

Crystal structure and microtwinning of monoclinic La<Subscript>3</Subscript>SbZn<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystals of the langasite family

The crystal structure of monoclinic La₃SbZn₃Ge₂O₁₄ crystals from the langasite family is determined by X-ray diffraction analysis [a = 5.202(1) Å, b = 8.312(1) Å, c = 14.394(2) Å, β = 90.02(1)°, sp. gr. A2, Z = 2, and R/R _w = (5.2/4.6)%]. The structure is a derivative of the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄-type structure (a = 8.069 Å, c = 4.967 Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1). The crystal studied is a polysynthetic twin with the twin index n = 2, whose monoclinic components are related by pseudomerohedry by a threefold rotation axis of the supergroup P321.     

Absolute structure of La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>14</Subscript> langasite crystals

The absolute structure of La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ piezoelectric crystals (a = 8.1746(6) Å, c = 5.1022(4) Å, space group P321, Z = 1) with the positive sense of rotation of the plane of polarization is refined using X-ray diffraction analysis (R = 1.37%, R _w = 1.71%, 2413 unique reflections, max sinθ/λ = 1.15 Å^?1). The contributions from the anharmonicity of thermal vibrations of lanthanum atoms are calculated with the use of the components of the third-and fourth-rank tensors. It is demonstrated that these contributions can have a significant effect.     

Crystal structure of (Al,V)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>, archetype of double cubic ring tetraphosphate

The crystal structure of the (Al,V)₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ solid solution, obtained in the single-crystal form by hydrothermal synthesis in the Al(OH)₃-VO₂-NaCl-H₃PO₄-H₂O system, has been solved by X-ray diffraction analysis (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, R = 0.0257): a = 13.7477(2) Å, sp. gr. I \(\bar 4\)3d, Z = 4, and ρ_calcd = 2.736 g/cm³. It is shown that the crystal structure of the parent cubic Al₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ modification can formally be considered an archetype for the formation of double isosymmetric tetraphosphates on its basis.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O)[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>· H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of the compound Na₃(H₃O)[UO₂(SeO₃)₂]₂ · H₂O (I) have been synthesized, and their structure has been investigated using X-ray diffraction. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 9.543(6)Å, b = 9.602(7)Å, c = 11.742(8)Å, α = 66.693(16)°, β = 84.10(2)°, γ = 63.686(14)°, space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2, and R = 0.0734. The uranium-containing structural units of the crystals are [UO₂(SeO₃)₂]^2? chains, which belong to the crystal-chemical group AB ² B ¹¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B ² = SeO ₃ ^2? , B ¹¹ = SeO ₃ ^2? ) of the uranyl complexes. The structures of the compounds containing the [UO₂(SeO₃)₂]^2? anionic complexes are compared.