Synthesis and characterization of three new fluorovanadate complexes: N(C2H5)4[VOF4], N(CH3)4[VOF3Cl], N(C4H9)4[VOF3Br] and theoretical calculations of VOF4, VOF3Cl and VOF3Br ions

The reaction of VOF₃ with (C₂H₅)₄NF, (CH₃)₄NCl and (C₄H₉)₄NBr salts in anhydrous CH₃CN produced new complexes with the anion general formula [VOF₃X]⁻ in that (X = F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻). These were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Visible and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary point are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G level of theory. Theoretical results showed that the VX (X = F, Cl, Br) bond length values for the [VOF₃X]⁻ in compounds 1-3 are 1.8247, 2.4031 and 2.5595 Å, respectively. Also, the VF₅ bond length values in [VOF₃X]⁻ are 1.824, 1.812 and 1.802 Å, respectively. These results reveal that the bond order for VX bonds decrease from compounds 1 to 3, while for VF₅ bonds, the bond orders increase. It can be concluded that the decrease of VX bonds lengths and the increase of VF₅ bond lengths in compounds 1-3 result from the increase of the hyperconjugation from compounds 1 to 3. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities for VOF₄⁻, VOF₃Cl⁻ and VOF₃Br⁻ are studied by means of theoretical and experimental methods. The calculated frequencies are in reasonable agreement with the experiment values. These data can be used in models of phosphoryl transfer enzymes because vanadate can often bind to phosphoryl transfer enzymes to form a trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the active site.     

Thermal properties of the pyrochlore, Y2Ti2O7

The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of high-purity single crystals of yttrium titanate, Y₂Ti₂O_7, have been determined over the temperature range 2 K?T?300 K. The experimental heat capacity is in very good agreement with an analysis based on three acoustic modes per unit cell (with the Debye characteristic temperature, θ_D, of ca. 970 K) and an assignment of the remaining 63 optic modes, as well as a correction for C_p−C_v. From the integrated heat capacity data, the enthalpy and entropy relative to absolute zero, are, respectively, H(T=298.15 K)−H₀=34.69 kJ mol⁻¹ and S(T=298.15 K)−S₀=211.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The thermal conductivity shows a peak at ca. θ_D/50, characteristic of a highly purified crystal in which the phonon mean free path is about 10 μm in the defect/boundary low-temperature limit. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of Y₂Ti₂O₇ is 2.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, close to the calculated theoretical thermal conductivity, κ_min, for fully coupled phonons at high temperatures.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of two new cobalt selenite halides: Co5(SeO3)4X2 (X=Cl, Br)

Two new isostructural cobalt selenite halides Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ have been synthesized. They crystallize in the triclinic system space group P−1 with the following lattice parameters for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂: a=6.4935(8) Å, b=7.7288(8) Å, c=7.7443(10) Å, α=66.051(11)°, β=73.610(11)°, γ=81.268(9)°, and Z=1. The crystal structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray data, R1=3.73 and 4.03 for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂, respectively. The new compounds are isostructural to Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂.Magnetic susceptibility measurements on oriented single-crystalline samples show anisotropic response in a broad temperature range. The anisotropic susceptibility is quantitatively interpreted within the zero-field splitting schemes for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. Sharp low-temperature susceptibility features, at T_N=18 and 20 K for Co₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂, respectively, are ascribed to antiferromagnetic ordering in a minority magnetic subsystem. In isostructural Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ magnetically ordered subsystem represents a majority fraction (T_N=46 K). Nevertheless, anisotropic susceptibility of Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Br₂ is dominated at low temperatures by a minority fraction, subject to single-ion anisotropy effects and increasing population of S_z=0 (singlet) ground state of octahedrally coordinated Ni²⁺.     

Energetics of cobalt phosphate frameworks: α, β, and red NaCoPO4

Thermal behavior, relative stability, and enthalpy of formation of α (pink phase), β (blue phase), and red NaCoPO₄ are studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and high-temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry. Red NaCoPO₄ with cobalt in trigonal bipyramidal coordination is metastable, irreversibly changing to α NaCoPO₄ at 827 K with an enthalpy of phase transition of −17.4±6.9 kJ mol⁻¹. α NaCoPO₄ with cobalt in octahedral coordination is the most stable phase at room temperature. It undergoes a reversible phase transition to the β phase (cobalt in tetrahedra) at 1006 K with an enthalpy of phase transition of 17.6±1.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Enthalpy of formation from oxides of α, β, and red NaCoPO₄ are −349.7±2.3, −332.1±2.5, and −332.3±7.2 kJ mol⁻¹; standard enthalpy of formation of α, β, and red NaCoPO₄ are −1547.5±2.7, −1529.9±2.8, and −1530.0±7.3 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The more exothermic enthalpy of formation from oxides of β NaCoPO₄ compared to a structurally related aluminosilicate, NaAlSiO₄ nepheline, results from the stronger acid-base interaction of oxides in β NaCoPO₄ (Na₂O, CoO, P₂O₅) than in NaAlSiO₄ nepheline (Na₂O, Al₂O₃, SiO₂).     

Thermodynamic properties of hydrated sodium l-threonate Na(C4H7O5)·H2O(s)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the compound Na(C₄H₇O₅)·H₂O(s) have been measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. A solid-solid phase transition and dehydration occur at 290-318 K and 367-373 K, respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of the solid-solid transition are Δ_transH_m = (5.75 ± 0.01) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_transS_m = (18.47 ± 0.02) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy and entropy of the dehydration are Δ_dH_m = (15.35 ± 0.03) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_dS_m = (41.35 ± 0.08) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Experimental values of heat capacities for the solids (I and II) and the solid-liquid mixture (III) have been fitted to polynomial equations.     

Crystal structures and phase transitions of SrZr(PO4)2-BaZr(PO4)2 solid solutions

A complete series of solid solutions was prepared in the SrZr(PO₄)₂-BaZr(PO₄)₂ system and examined by conventional X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The crystals of Sr_xBa_1−xZr(PO₄)₂ with x?0.1 were isomorphous with yavapaiite (KFe(SO₄)₂, space group C2/m). The solid solution with 0.2?x?0.7 has been composed of a new phase, showing a superstructure along the a-axis (c-axis of the yavapaiite substructure). The crystals with 0.8?x?0.9 were composed of both the new phase and the triclinic phase, the latter being isostructural with SrZr(PO₄)₂ (x=1). The crystal structure of the new phase has been determined using direct methods, and it has been further refined by the Rietveld method. The crystal of Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Zr(PO₄)₂ (x=0.7) is monoclinic (space group P2/c, Z=4 and D_x/Mg m⁻³=3.73) with a=1.53370(8) nm, b=0.52991(3) nm, c=0.84132(4) nm, β=92.278(1)° and V=0.68321(6) nm³. Final reliability indices are R_wp=7.32%, R_p=5.60% and R_B=3.22%. The powder specimen was also examined by high-temperature XRPD and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to reveal the occurrence of two phase transitions during heating; the space group changed from P2/c to C2/m at ∼400 K, followed by the monoclinic-to-hexagonal (or trigonal) transition at 1060 K. The P2/c-to-C2/m transition has been, for the first time, described in the yavapaiite-type compounds.     

An organosilyl derivative of trivacant tungstophosphate. Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure determination of α-A-[NBu4]3[PW9O34(C2H5SiO)3(C2H5Si)]

In the presence of NBu₄ⁿBr acting as phase-transfer reagent, organosilicon trichloride C₂H₅SiCl₃ reacts in acetonitrile with the trivacant tungstophosphate sodium salt β-A-Na₈H[PW₉O₃₄]·24H₂O to give hybrid organosilyl polyoxotungstate derivative α-A-[NBu₄ⁿ]₃[PW₉O₃₄(C₂H₅SiO)₃(C₂H₅Si)]. X-ray single crystal structural analysis indicates that the title compound is monoclinic, space group Cc, with lattice constants a=26.828(5), b=22.459(5), c=17.517(4) Å, β=103.19(3)°, V=10,276(4) Å³, Z=4, R=0.0462. According to the result of X-ray single crystal diffraction and chemical analysis, the hybrid polyanion consists of one α-A-[PW₉O₃₄]⁹⁻ framework on which are grafted simultaneously three RSiO groups through six Si-O-W bridge bonds, each of which is attached to the fourth RSi group through three Si-O-Si bridge bonds. The hybrid polyanion becomes a partial saturated, closed cage structure and also has an assembly of virtual C_3V symmetry.     

New members of ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides containing finite boron-carbon chains: RE25B14C26 (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd25B12C28

New ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ were synthesized by co-melting the elements. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ is stable up to 1440 K. RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) exist above 1270 K. The crystal structures were investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: space group P, a=8.3209(7) Å, b=8.3231(6) Å, c=29.888(2) Å, α=83.730(9)°, β=83.294(9)°, γ=89.764(9)°. Pr₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: space group P2₁/c, a=8.4243(5) Å, b=8.4095(6) Å, c=30.828(1) Å, β=105.879(4)°, V=2100.6(2) Å³, (R1=0.048 (wR2=0.088) from 2961 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o)); for Nd₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ space group P2₁/c, Z=2, a=8.3404(6) Å, b=8.3096(6) Å, c=30.599(2) Å, β=106.065(1)°. Their structures consist of a three-dimensional framework of rare-earth metal atoms resulting from the stacking of slightly corrugated and distorted square nets, leading to cavities filled with cumulene-like molecules [B₂C₄]⁶⁻ and [B₃C₃]⁷⁻, nearly linear [BC₂]⁵⁻ and bent [BC₂]⁷⁻ units and isolated carbon atoms. Structural and theoretical analysis suggests the ionic formulation for RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: (RE³⁺)₂₅[B₂C₄]⁶⁻([B₃C₃]⁷⁻)₂([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·5e⁻ and for Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: (Nd³⁺)₂₅([B₂C₄]⁶⁻)₃([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·7e⁻. Accordingly, extended Hückel tight-binding calculations indicate that the compounds are metallic in character.     

A hybrid material based on [Mo6Br14] inorganic cluster units and [BEDO-TTF] organic monocationic radicals: Synthesis, structure and properties of (BEDO-TTF)2Mo6Br14(PhCN)4

The first charge transfer salt based on non- dimerized [BEDO-TTF]⁺ monocationic radical (BEDO-TTF=bis(ethylenedioxy)tetrathiafulvalene) associated with [Mo₆Br₁₄]²⁻ cluster anions has been synthesized by conventional electro-oxidation and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-VIS-NIR absorption and magnetic susceptibility measurements. (BEDO-TTF)₂Mo₆Br₁₄(PhCN)₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, a=10.414(4) Å, b=21.711(7) Å, c=15.958(5) Å, β=93.65(3)°, V=3601(2) Å³, Z=2, R₁=0.0578, wR₂=0.0731. The structure of this hybrid compound is built up from a [BEDO-TTF]⁺ and PhCN (benzonitrile) organic framework in which are hosted the [Mo₆Br₁₄]²⁻ inorganic cluster units. It results in non- dimerized [BEDO-TTF]⁺ cations that exhibit a paramagnetic behavior characteristic of one unpaired electron.     

Syntheses, structures, physical properties, and electronic structures of KLn2CuS4 (Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Tb, Ho) and K2Ln4Cu4S9 (Ln=Dy, Ho)

Seven new quaternary metal sulfides, KY₂CuS₄, KNd₂CuS₄, KSm₂CuS₄, KTb₂CuS₄, KHo₂CuS₄, K₂Dy₄Cu₄S₉, and K₂Ho₄Cu₄S₉, were prepared by the reactive flux method. All crystallographic data were collected at 153 K. The isostructural compounds KLn₂CuS₄ (Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Tb, Ho) crystallize in space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions (Ln, a, b, c (Å)): Y, 3.9475(9), 13.345(3), 13.668(3); Nd, 4.0577(3), 13.7442(10), 13.9265(10); Sm, 4.0218(4), 13.6074(14), 13.8264(14); Tb, 3.9679(5), 13.4243(17), 13.7102(18); Ho, 3.9378(3), 13.3330(11), 13.6487(11). The corresponding R₁ indices for the refined structures are 0.0197, 0.0153, 0.0158, 0.0181, and 0.0178. The isostructural compounds K₂Dy₄Cu₄S₉ and K₂Ho₄Cu₄S₉ crystallize in space group C2/m of the monoclinic system with two formula units in cells of dimensions (Ln, a, b, c (Å), β (°)): Dy, 13.7061(13), 3.9482(4), 15.8111(15), 109.723(1); Ho, 13.6760(14), 3.9360(4), 15.7950 (16), 109.666(2). The corresponding R₁ indices are 0.0312 and 0.0207. Both structure types are closely related three-dimensional tunnel structures. The tunnels are filled with bicapped trigonal-prismatically coordinated K atoms. Their anionic frameworks are built from LnS₆ octahedra and CuS₄ tetrahedra. KLn₂CuS₄ contains _∞¹[CuS₃⁵⁻] chains of vertex-sharing tetrahedra and K₂Ln₄Cu₄S₉ contains _∞¹[Cu₄S₈¹²⁻] chains of tetrahedra. K₂Ho₄Cu₄S₉ shows Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior between 5 and 300 K, and has an effective magnetic moment of 10.71 μ_B for Ho³⁺ at 293 K. Optical band gaps of 2.17 eV for KSm₂CuS₄ and 2.43 eV for K₂Ho₄Cu₄S₉ were deduced from diffuse reflectance spectra. A first-principles calculation of the density of states and the frequency-dependent optical conductivity was performed on KSm₂CuS₄. The calculated band gap of 2.1 eV is in good agreement with the experimental value.     

Investigations of new binary phosphate K4Ce2P4O15

The new potassium cerium(III) phosphate of formula K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ in the system Ce₂O₃-K₂O-P₂O₅ was prepared by solid state reactions and characterized by thermal analysis (DTA, TG, DSC), powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. This compound exists only in the solid state (below 880 °C) and exhibits a polymorphic transition at 527 °C. The low-temperature form β-K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ of this compound crystallizes as a triclinic phase (space group P) with unit cell parameters: a=9.319(7), b=12.129(3), c=9.252(1) Å, α=106.875, β=100.086, γ=107.202°, V=916.276 Å³.     

Vibrational Spectra of the Cyclic SN-Compounds S4N4, S4N4H4 and S3N3Cl3

The IR and Raman spectra of solid and dissolved S₄N₄, S₄N₄H₄, S₄N₄D₄ and S₃N₃Cl₃ have been recorded and are assigned according to D_2d, C_4v and C_3v symmetry respectively. In the solid state, many forbidden bands and splittings of degenerate vibrations are observed because of the symmetry lowering in the crystals. Due to the different size and shape of the rings and to strong coupling of the normal modes there is no clear correlation between the SN ring stretching vibrations and the strength of the SN bonds, except for the one of the E modes. However, the stretching force constant show the trend expected from changes in interatomic distances.     

Solvothermal synthesis of an open-framework zinc chlorophosphate, [C8N4H26][Zn3Cl(HPO4)3(PO4)], with a layer structure

A solvothermal reaction of ZnO, HCl, H₃PO₄, and N,N′(3-bisaminopropyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine (BAPEN) in diethyleneglycol at 160°C yields a new zinc chlorophosphate, [C₈N₄H₂₆][Zn₃Cl(HPO₄)₃(PO₄)], I. The structure comprises ZnO₄, ZnO₃Cl, HPO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedral units connected through their vertices giving rise to a layered structure with 10-membered apertures. The position of the Zn and P atoms gives rise to double-four ring like building unit with one Zn missing. The fully protonated amine molecules occupy the inter-lamellar region and interacts with the framework through N-H?O hydrogen bonds. Crystal data: M=792.85, orthorhombic, space group=Pca2₁ (no. 29), a=9.8410(2), b=15.0912(2), c=16.1220(4) Å, V=2394.32(8) Å³, Z=4, ρ_calc=2.199 g cm⁻³, μ(MoKα)=3.443 mm⁻¹, R₁=0.0520, wR₂=0.1256 and S=1.054.     

Structure and magnetism of rare-earth-substituted Ca3Co2O6

Yttrium- and rare-earth-substituted derivatives of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ (RY, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. All phases adopt the K₄CdCl₆-type structure with space group R3¯c), in which the trivalent R³⁺ substituents randomly occupy the Ca²⁺ site. The homogeneity range of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ extends to v≈0.90 for the substituents concerned. A significant increase in the Co2-O distances within the trigonal-prismatic Co2O₆ co-ordination polyhedra upon introduction of R³⁺ confirms that extra electrons from the R³⁺-for-Ca²⁺ substitution exclusively enter the Co2 site of the quasi-one-dimensional Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ structure, thereby formally reducing its oxidation state. This is furthermore supported by magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements. The long-range ferrimagnetic ordering temperature is reduced upon R substitution and appears to vanish for v>∼0.30.     

High-pressure Raman study of Al2(WO4)3

A high-pressure Raman scattering study of the tungstate Al₂(WO₄)₃ is presented. This study showed the onset of two reversible phase transitions at 0.28±0.07 and 2.8±0.1 GPa. The pressure evolution of Raman bands provides strong evidences that both the transitions involve rotations/tilts of nearly rigid tungstate tetrahedra and that the structure of the stable phase in the 0.28-2.8 GPa range may be the same as the structure of the ambient pressure, low-temperature monoclinic (C_2h⁵) ferroelastic phase of Al₂(WO₄)₃.     

Temperature behavior of the protonic conductor K4LiH3(SO4)4

The results of the X-ray structural study for the K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystal are presented at a wide temperature range. The thermal expansion of the crystal using the X-ray dilatometry and the capacitance dilatometry from 8 to 500 K was carried out. The crystal structures data collection, solution and refinement at 125, 295, 443 and 480 K were performed. The K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ crystal has tetragonal symmetry with the P4₁ space group (Z=4) at room temperature as well as at the considered temperature range. The existence of a low-temperature, para-ferroelastic phase transition at about 120 K is excluded. The layered structure of the crystal reflects a cleavage plane parallel to (001) and an anisotropy of the protonic conductivity. The superionic high-temperature phase transition at T_S=425 K is isostructural. Nevertheless, taking into account an increase of the SO₄ tetrahedra libration above T_S, a mechanism of the Grotthus type could be applied for the proton transport explanation.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior of a novel oxoborate SrBi2B4O10

A new compound, SrBi₂B₄O₁₀, has been grown by cooling a melt with the stoichiometric composition. It is triclinic, P−1, a=6.819(1), b=6.856(1), c=9.812(2) Å, α=96.09(1), β=109.11(1), γ=101.94(1)°, V=416.5(1) Å³, Z=2. The crystal structure of the compound has been solved by direct methods and refined to R₁=0.050 (wR₂=0.128). The structure contains Bi-O pseudolayers build up from Bi-O chains involving oxocentred OBi₃ triangles. Sr atoms and [B₄O₉]⁶⁻ isolated anions (4B:3Δ□:<2Δ□>Δ) are located between the Bi-O packages.The thermal treatment as well as DSC experiment showed that the compound melts above 800 °C presumably according to the peritectic reaction: SrBi₂B₄O₁₀ ↔ SrB₂O₄+SrB₄O₇+ Liquid. According to high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction study thermal expansion of SrBi₂B₄O₁₀ structure is anisotropic (α₁₁=13, α₂₂=9, α₃₃=2, α_V=24×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹).     

Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Expansion of the La2W2−xMoxO9 Series

The La₂W_2−xMo_xO₉ series has been synthesized by the ceramic method. An alternative synthesis using microwave radiation is also reported. La₂W₂O₉ has two polymorphs and the low-temperature phase (α) transforms to the high-temperature form (β) at 1077°C. The influence of the W/Mo substitution in this phase transition has been investigated by DTA. The β structure for x≥0.7 compositions can be prepared as single phase at any cooling rate. The β phase for 0.3≤x≤0.7 compounds can be prepared as single phase by quenching, whereas a mixture of α and β phases is obtained by slow cooling. The W/Mo ratio in both coexisting phases is different with the β-phase having a higher Mo content. The x=0.1 and 0.2 compounds have been prepared as mixtures of phases. The room temperature structure of β-La₂W_1.7Mo_0.3O₉ has been analyzed by the Rietveld method in P2₁3 space group. The final R-factors were R_WP=9.0% and R_F=5.6% with a structure similar to that of β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Finally, the thermal expansion of both types of structures has been determined from a thermodiffractometric study. The thermal expansion coefficients were 2.9×10⁻⁶ and 9.7×10⁻⁶°C⁻¹ for α-La₂W₂O₉ and β-La₂W_1.2Mo_0.8O₉, respectively.     

Syntheses, structures, optical properties, and theoretical calculations of Cs2Bi2ZnS5, Cs2Bi2CdS5, and Cs2Bi2MnS5

Three new compounds, Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅, Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅, and Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅, have been synthesized from the respective elements and a reactive flux Cs₂S₃ at 973 K. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of a=15.763(3), b=4.0965(9), c=18.197(4) Å, V=1175.0(4) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅; a=15.817(2), b=4.1782(6), c=18.473(3)  Å, V=1220.8(3)  ų for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅; and a=15.830(2), b=4.1515(5), c=18.372(2) Å, V=1207.4(2) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅. The structure is composed of two-dimensional _∞²[Bi₂MS₅²⁻] (M=Zn, Cd, Mn) layers that stack perpendicular to the [100] axis and are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The layers consist of edge-sharing _∞¹[Bi₂S₆⁶⁻] and _∞¹[MS₃⁴⁻] chains built from BiS₆ octahedral and MS₄ tetrahedral units. Two crystallographically unique Cs atoms are coordinated to S atoms in octahedral and monocapped trigonal prismatic environments. The structure of Cs₂Bi₂MS₅, is related to that of Na₂ZrCu₂S₄ and those of the AMM′Q₃ materials (A=alkali metal, M=rare-earth or Group 4 element, M′= Group 11 or 12 element, Q=chalcogen). First-principles theoretical calculations indicate that Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅ and Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ are semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.85 and 1.75 eV, respectively. The experimental band gap for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ is ≈1.7 eV, as derived from its optical absorption spectrum.     

A solvothermal synthesis and characterization of a new open-framework K4Ag2Ge3S9·H2O

A novel framework K₄Ag₂Ge₃S₉·H₂O was synthesized solvothermally in the presence of a chelating agent of HSCH₂CH(SH)CH₂OH. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. This material crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2(1) (No. 33) with a=14.4524(4) Å, b=9.6339(3) Å, c=16.5636(9) Å, z=4, R₁=0.0292, wR₂=0.0624 for all data. The structure comprises of adamantane-like clusters [AgGe₃S₉]⁵⁻ linked by Ag+ ions to form a open-framework, and potassium ions and water molecules are located in the channels. Its IR and thermal properties were investigated.