High-pressure structural behavior of GdAlO3 and GdFeO3 perovskites

The orthorhombic perovskites, GdAlO₃ and GdFeO₃, have been studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction up to 8.52 and 8.13 GPa, respectively, in a diamond anvil cell at 298 K. The evolution of the structures of GdAlO₃ and GdFeO₃ involves compression of both the GdO₁₂ and the octahedral (AlO₆ and FeO₆) sites. The compression of the GdO₁₂ site is anisotropic in both perovskites, with the four longest Gd-O distances compressing more than the eight shorter Gd-O bond lengths, resulting in a decrease in the distortion of GdO₁₂ with pressure. In GdAlO₃, the GdO₁₂ site is less compressible than the AlO₆ site, resulting in an increase of both the interoctahedral Al-O1-Al and Al-O2-Al angles with increasing pressure. Thus GdAlO₃ perovskite becomes less distorted with increasing pressure. In GdFeO₃, the GdO₁₂ site displays a similar compressibility as the FeO₆ site, with little change in the Fe-O2-Fe angle with pressure but an increase of the Fe-O1-Fe tilting angle. Thus GdFeO₃ perovskite becomes less distorted with increasing pressure, but the change is not as pronounced as GdAlO₃. The high-pressure behavior of GdAlO₃ and GdFeO₃ is similar to orthorhombic YAlO₃ perovskite but contrasts with orthorhombic CaSnO₃, which becomes more distorted with increasing pressure.     

Hexagonal Double Perovskite Cs2AgCrCl6

The quaternary halide Cs₂AgCrCl₆ was prepared in the form of dark purple crystals by reaction of CsCl, AgCl, and CrCl₃, at 700 °C. It crystallizes in the trigonal Ba₂NiTeO₆‐type structure [space group R3 m, Z = 6, a = 7.2692(4) Å, c = 36.443(2) Å] belonging to the family of perovskite polytypes containing sequences of hexagonal close‐packed layers. Groups of three face‐sharing octahedra, which are occupied in the sequence Ag–Cr–Ag, are connected through corner‐sharing by Cr‐centered octahedra. The UV/Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum shows absorptions arising from d–d transitions typical of octahedral Cr³⁺ complexes, as confirmed by electronic structure calculations. The compound melts at 506 °C. Magnetic measurements revealed simple paramagnetic behavior consistent with the presence of isolated Cr³⁺ ions.     

Single Crystals of NaPrTe2 with LiTiO2‐Type Structure

During attempts to synthesize rare‐earth nitride tellurides black and bead‐shaped single crystals of the title compound sodium praseodymium(III) ditelluride (NaPrTe₂) were obtained as a by‐product by reacting a mixture of praseodymium, sodium azide (NaN₃) and tellurium at 900 °C for seven days in evacuated torch‐sealed silica vessels. NaPrTe₂ crystallizes cubic (space group: Fd3¯m, Z = 16; a = 1285.51(9) pm, V_m = 79.96(1) cm³/mol, R₁ = 0.028 for 146 unique reflections) and exhibits the Na⁺ and Pr³⁺ cations in slightly distorted octahedra of six telluride anions (d(Na—Te) = 325 pm, d(Pr—Te) = 317 pm) each. The main characteristics of this new structure type for alkali‐metal rare‐earth(III) dichalcogenides can be derived from the rock‐salt type structure (NaCl, cubic closest‐packed Te^2— arrangement, all octahedral voids occupied with Na⁺ and Pr³⁺) with alternating layers consisting of Na⁺ and Pr³⁺ cations in a ratio of 3:1 and 1:3, respectively, piled along the [111] direction.     

Crystal Structure of LiClO4

Single crystals of LiClO₄ were obtained during attempts to prepare lithium containing rare earth perchlorates from a lithium perchlorate melt. In the crystal structure of LiClO₄ (ortho‐rhombic, Pnma, Z =4, a = 865.7(1), b = 691.29(9) pm, c = 483.23(6), R_all = 0.0273) the Li⁺ ions are in distorted octahedral coordination of oxygen atoms. The octahedra are linked via common edges to chains according to ¹[LiO_2/1O_4/2] which run in the [010] direction. The perchlorate ions are almost ideal tetrahedra.     

Synthetic mansfieldite,AlAsO4·2H2O

Hydro­thermally prepared mansfieldite, AlAsO₄·2H₂O (aluminium arsenate dihydrate), contains a vertex‐sharing three‐dimensional network of cis‐AlO₄(H₂O)₂ octahedra and AsO₄ tetrahedra [d_av(Al—O) = 1.907 (2) Å, d_av(As—O) = 1.685 (2) Å and θ_av(Al—O—As) = 134.5 (1)°].     

Orthorhombic aluminium oxyfluoride,AlOF

Crystals of the title compound were extracted from the bulk of grown SrAlF₅ crystals as unexpected inclusions that were identified as the long sought after aluminium oxyfluoride. The structure of AlOF is built up from tetrahedral and octahedral polyhedra. Each tetrahedron is bisected by a mirror plane, with the Al atom and two vertex anions in the plane. All tetrahedral vertices are positions of competing oxide and fluoride ions and are shared with octahedra. These shared vertices belong to two octahedral edges which join the octahedra to form infinite zigzag chains. The chains are strung along twofold screw axes that run parallel to the unit‐cell b axis. The remaining two octahedral vertices are occupied only by fluoride ions. A small deficiency in the occupation of the octahedral Al position was suggested by the refinement. However, the stoichiometry of the compound is AlOF within experimental uncertainty. The Al—F(O) distances are separated into three groups with average values of 1.652 (3) (tetrahedra), 1.800 (2) (octahedra) and 1.894 (2) Å (octahedra). This structure differs widely from the reported tetragonal phase Al_1−xO_1−3xF_1+3x (x = 0.0886) [Kutoglu (1992). Z. Kristallogr. 199 , 197–201], which consists solely of octahedral structural units.     

Synthesis and structure determination of seven ternary bismuthides: crystal chemistry of the RELi3Bi2 family (RE = La–Nd,Sm, Gd,and Tb)

Zintl phases are renowned for their diverse crystal structures with rich structural chemistry and have recently exhibited some remarkable heat‐ and charge‐transport properties. The ternary bismuthides RELi₃Bi₂ (RE = La–Nd, Sm, Gd, and Tb) (namely, lanthanum trilithium dibismuthide, LaLi₃Bi₂, cerium trilithium dibismuthide, CeLi₃Bi₂, praseodymium trilithium dibismuthide, PrLi₃Bi₂, neodymium trilithium dibismuthide, NdLi₃Bi₂, samarium trilithium dibismuthide, SmLi₃Bi₂, gadolinium trilithium dibismuthide, GdLi₃Bi₂, and terbium trilithium dibismuthide, TbLi₃Bi₂) were synthesized by high‐temperature reactions of the elements in sealed Nb ampoules. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that all seven compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the LaLi₃Sb₂ type structure in the trigonal space group Pm1 (Pearson symbol hP6). The unit‐cell volumes decrease monotonically on moving from the La to the Tb compound, owing to the lanthanide contraction. The structure features a rare‐earth metal atom and one Li atom in a nearly perfect octahedral coordination by six Bi atoms. The second crystallographically unique Li atom is surrounded by four Bi atoms in a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The atomic arrangements are best described as layered structures consisting of two‐dimensional layers of fused LiBi₄ tetrahedra and LiBi₆ octahedra, separated by rare‐earth metal cations. As such, these compounds are expected to be valance‐precise semiconductors, whose formulae can be represented as (RE³⁺)(Li¹⁺)₃(Bi³⁻)₂.     

3‐Oxo‐5β‐24‐norcholanic acid: acid‐to‐acid hydrogen‐bonding catemers employing the rare anti carboxyl conformation in the aggregation of a steroid keto acid

The title ketocarboxylic acid [systematic name: (5R,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R,20R)‐3‐oxo‐24‐norcholanic acid], C₂₃H₃₆O₃, forms acid‐to‐acid hydrogen‐bonding chains [O...O = 2.620 (2) Å and O—H...O = 163 (3)°] in which all carboxyl groups adopt the rare anti conformation, while the ketone group does not participate in the hydrogen bonding. The occurrence and energetics of this conformation are discussed. One intermolecular C—H...O close contact exists, which plays a role in stabilizing the hydrogen‐bonding arrangement.     

Crystal Structure of Ba3ZrRu2O9 – a New 6H‐(cch)2 Perovskite

Single crystals of the new 6H‐perovskite Ba₃ZrRu₂O₉ have been grown from BaCO₃ and RuO₂ in presence of BaCl₂ on ZrO₂ bars. Ba₃ZrRu₂O₉ crystallizes in the space group P6₃/mmc (No. 194) with a = 5.7827(2) Å and c = 14.2509(5) Å (Z = 2, R1 = 0.037, wR2 = 0.078). The structure consists of pairs of face‐shared RuO₆ octahedra forming [Ru₂O₉] units, which are interconnected by corner‐sharing ZrO₆ octahedra. The structural relationships of the title compound and of the already known barium‐zirconium‐ruthenate Ba₄ZrRu₃O₁₂, 4H‐ and 9R‐BaRuO₃ and BaZrO₃ are discussed.     

A cocrystal of two MoVI complexes bearing different diastereomers of the 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(1‐oxido‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)(methyl)amino]methyl}phenolate ligand derived from (+)‐ephedrine

The title cocrystal contains two chiral conformational diastereomers, viz. (1S,2R,R_N)‐ and (1S,2R,S_N)‐, of [2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[(1‐oxido‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)(methyl)amino]methyl}phenolato](methanol)‐cis‐dioxidomolybdenum(VI), [Mo(C₂₅H₃₅NO₂)O₂(CH₃OH)], representing the first example of a structurally characterized molybdenum complex with enantiomerically pure ephedrine derivative ligands. The Mo^VI cations exhibit differently distorted octahedral coordination environments, with two oxide ligands positioned cis to each other. The remainder of the coordination comprises phenoxide, alkoxide and methanol O atoms, with an amine N atom completing the octahedron. The distinct complexes are linked by strong intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in one‐dimensional molecular chains. Furthermore, the phenyl rings are involved in weak T‐shaped/edge‐to‐face π–π interactions with each other.     

ϵ‐RbCuCl3, a new polymorph of rubidium copper trichloride: synthesis,structure and structural complexity

A novel polymorph of RbCuCl₃ (rubidium copper trichloride), denoted ϵ‐RbCuCl₃, has been prepared by chemical vapour transport (CVT) from a mixture of CuO, CuCl₂, SeO₂ and RbCl. The new polymorph crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group C222₁. The crystal structure is based on an octahedral framework of the 4H perovskite type. The Rb⁺ and Cl⁻ ions form a four‐layer closest‐packing array with an ABCB sequence. The Cu²⁺ cations reside in octahedral cavities with a typical [4 + 2]‐Jahn–Teller‐distorted coordination, forming four short and two long Cu—Cl bonds. ϵ‐RbCuCl₃ is the most structurally complex and most dense among all currently known RbCuCl₃ polymorphs, which allows us to suggest that it is a high‐pressure phase, which is unstable under ambient conditions.     

Poly[[pentaaquasulfato‐μ4‐(R,R)‐tartrato‐dicadmium(II)] trihydrate]

The asymmetric unit in the title compound, {[Cd₂(C₄H₄O₆)(SO₄)(H₂O)₅]·3H₂O}_n, is composed of two cadmium cations, one (R,R)‐tartrate and one sulfate anion, five aqua ligands and three solvent water molecules. One of the cadmium ions is coordinated in an octahedral environment, whereas the second is surrounded by seven O atoms in a pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry. Both types of coordination polyhedra form two sets of perpendicular non‐intersecting polymeric chains. CdO₆ octahedra share two corners, while CdO₇ units are joined by a bridging carboxylate group. An extensive hydrogen‐bond pattern involving all of the OH groups contributes to the stabilization of the structure.     

Effect of rare earth ions on structural and optical properties of specific perovskite orthochromates; RCrO3 (R = La,Nd, Eu,Gd, Dy,and Y)

We present here, a systematic investigation on orthorhombic perovskite type rare earth chromates; RCrO₃ (R = La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, and Y) powder samples via X-ray diffraction, Raman and UV–Visible spectroscopy. The Rietveld fitted X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the formation of single phase orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group for all the samples. A comprehensive analysis of Rietveld fitted data has been performed to further see the effect of change in the size of rare earth (R³⁺) ions on bond length and structural distortions. It has been noticed that bond length (RO) decreases with decrease in radius of R-site ions, consequently an increase in the distortion or the octahedral tilting. Raman spectroscopy results reveal the blue shift in these samples with decrease in the size of the rare-earth ion, owing to change in their bond lengths. Optical properties have been also noticed via UV–visible absorption spectroscopy technique. These results indicate that the RCrO₃ materials are transparent in visible range with band gap varying from 2.19 to 3.20 eV.     

Ba5AlIr2O11: Eine neue Verbindung mit Iridium(IV,V)

Ba₅AlIr₂O₁₁: A New Compound with Iridium(IV, V) The hitherto unknown compound Ba₅AlIr₂O₁₁ was prepared and investigated by X-ray technique (space group D–Pnma, a = 18.8360; b = 5.7887; c = 11.1030 Å; Z = 4). Iridium has an octahedral coordination in each case two octahedra are connected by a plane. These double octahedra form with corner connected AlO₄ tetrahedra [Ir₂AlO₁₁]^10? units. Ba₅AlIr₂O₁₁ is not related to the perovskite type compounds.     

The structure of CeAlO3 by Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data

The room temperature structure of perovskite CeAlO₃ has been reinvestigated by X-ray powder diffraction. The Rietveld refinement has confirmed the tetragonal symmetry; but revealed a super cell, a=5.32489(6) Å and c=7.58976(10) Å, with the space group I4/mcm. In CeAlO₃, the distortion from the ideal cubic perovskite is caused by the cooperative tilting of the AlO₆ octahedra around the primitive cubic [001]_p-axis.     

A Cesium Rare‐Earth Silicate Cs3RESi6O15 (RE=Dy–Lu,Y, In): The Parent of an Unusual Structural Class Featuring a Remarkable 57 Å Unit Cell Axis

The structure of Cs₃RESi₆O₁₅, where RE=Dy–Lu, Y, In, is unusual in that it contains octahedrally coordinated rare‐earth ions; their relative orientation dictates the structure, as they rotate about the c‐axis supported by the cyclic Si₆O₁₅ framework. The repeat unit of the rotation is eight units generating a very long (ca. 57 Å) unit cell axis. This unusual repeat unit is created by the structural flexibility of the hexasilicate ring, which is in turn affected by the size of the rare earth ion as well as the size of alkali ion residing within the silicate layers. Previous work showed for the smaller Sc³⁺ ion, the rotation of the octahedra is not sufficient to achieve closure at an integral repeat unit and an incommensurate structure results. The products are prepared as large, high quality single crystals using a high‐temperature (650 °C) hydrothermal method with CsOH and F^? mineralizers. The presence of fluoride is essential to the formation of the product.     

A Cesium Rare‐Earth Silicate Cs3RESi6O15 (RE=Dy–Lu,Y, In): The Parent of an Unusual Structural Class Featuring a Remarkable 57 Å Unit Cell Axis

The structure of Cs₃RESi₆O₁₅, where RE=Dy–Lu, Y, In, is unusual in that it contains octahedrally coordinated rare‐earth ions; their relative orientation dictates the structure, as they rotate about the c‐axis supported by the cyclic Si₆O₁₅ framework. The repeat unit of the rotation is eight units generating a very long (ca. 57 Å) unit cell axis. This unusual repeat unit is created by the structural flexibility of the hexasilicate ring, which is in turn affected by the size of the rare earth ion as well as the size of alkali ion residing within the silicate layers. Previous work showed for the smaller Sc³⁺ ion, the rotation of the octahedra is not sufficient to achieve closure at an integral repeat unit and an incommensurate structure results. The products are prepared as large, high quality single crystals using a high‐temperature (650 °C) hydrothermal method with CsOH and F⁻ mineralizers. The presence of fluoride is essential to the formation of the product.     

Chiral (1,2)‐Diphenylethylene‐Salen Complexes of Triel Metals: Coordination Patterns and Mechanistic Considerations in the Isoselective ROP of Lactide

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure aluminium, gallium and indium complexes supported by chiral (R,R)‐(^HHONNO^HH) ( 1 ), (R,R)‐(^MeHONNO^HMe) ( 2 ), (R,R)‐(^tButBuONNO^tButBu) ( 3 ), (R,R)‐(^MeNO2ONNO^MeNO2) ( 4 ), (R,R)‐(^HOMeONNO^HOMe) ( 5 ) and (R,R)‐(^ClClONNO^ClCl) ( 6 ) (1,2)‐diphenylethylene‐salen ligands is described. Several of these complexes have been crystallographically authenticated, which highlights a diversity of coordination patterns. Whereas all Ga complexes form [Ga₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] bimetallic species (ONNO= 1 – 3 ), aluminium [AlR(ONNO)] (R=Me, CH₂SiMe₃) and indium [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] derivatives are monometallic for ONNO= 1 , 2 and 4 – 6 , and only form the bimetallic complexes [Al₂R₄(ONNO)] and [In₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₄(ONNO)] for the most sterically crowded ligand 3 . The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes react with iPrOH to give [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes that are robust towards further iPrOH. The [In(CH₂SiMe₃)(ONNO)] congeners are inert towards excess alcohol, whereas the Ga compounds decompose easily. All these alkyl complexes, as well as the [AlOiPr(ONNO)] derivatives, catalyse the ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac‐LA). The [AlMe(ONNO)] complexes require additional alcohol to afford controlled reactions, but [AlOiPr(ONNO)] complexes are single‐component catalysts for the isoselective ROP of rac‐LA, with values of P_m in the range 0.80–0.90. Experimental evidence unexpectedly shows that chain‐end control leads to the isoselectivity of these aluminium catalysts; also, the more crowded the coordination sphere, the higher the isoselectivity. The bimetallic Ga complexes do not afford controlled reactions, but the binary [In(ONNO)(CH₂SiMe₃)/(PhCH₂OH)] systems competently mediate non‐stereoselective ROP; evidence is given that an activated monomer mechanism is at work. Kinetic studies show that catalytic activity decreases when electronic density and steric congestion at the metal atom increase.     

Poly[[μ‐(1‐azaniumylethane‐1,1‐diyl)bis(hydrogen phosphonato)]sodium]: a powder X‐ray diffraction study

The title two‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Na(C₂H₈NO₆P₂)]_n, was characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction data and its structure refined using the Rietveld method. The asymmetric unit contains one Na⁺ cation and one (1‐azaniumylethane‐1,1‐diyl)bis(hydrogen phosphonate) anion. The central Na⁺ cation exhibits distorted octahedral coordination geometry involving two deprotonated O atoms, two hydroxy O atoms and two double‐bonded O atoms of the bisphosphonate anion. Pairs of sodium‐centred octahedra share edges and the pairs are in turn connected to each other by the biphosphonate anion to form a two‐dimensional network parallel to the (001) plane. The polymeric layers are connected by strong O—H...O hydrogen bonding between the hydroxy group and one of the free O atoms of the bisphosphonate anion to generate a three‐dimensional network. Further stabilization of the crystal structure is achived by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonding.<!?tpb=18.7pt>     

[C6H14N]PbBr3: An ABX3‐Type Semiconducting Perovskite Hybrid with Above‐Room‐Temperature Phase Transition

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, with the formula ABX₃ (A=organic cation, B=metal cation, and X=halide; for example, CH₃NH₃PbI₃), have diverse and intriguing physical properties, such as semiconduction, phase transitions, and optical properties. Herein, a new ABX₃‐type semiconducting perovskite‐like hybrid, (hexamethyleneimine)PbBr₃ ( 1 ), consisting of one‐dimensional inorganic frameworks and cyclic organic cations, is reported. Notably, the inorganic moiety of 1 adopts a perovskite‐like architecture and forms infinite columns composed of face‐sharing PbBr₆ octahedra. Strikingly, the organic cation exhibits a highly flexible molecular configuration, which triggers an above‐room‐temperature phase transition, at T_c=338.8 K; this is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), specific heat capacity (C_p), and dielectric measurements. Further structural analysis reveals that the phase transition originates from the molecular configurational distortion of the organic cations coupled with small‐angle reorientation of the PbBr₆ octahedra inside the inorganic components. Moreover, temperature‐dependent conductivity and UV/Vis absorption measurements reveal that 1 also displays semiconducting behavior below T_c. It is believed that this work will pave a potential way to design multifeatured perovskite hybrids by utilizing cyclic organic amines.