Organostibines as ligands. Synthesis of dimethyl(α-picolyl)stibine,dimethyl(8-quinolyl)stibine,and (R;S)-methylphenyl(8-quinolyl)stibine and some transition metal derivatives

The unsymmetrical mono-tertiary stibines dimethyl(α-picolyl)stibine (picstib), dimethyl(8-quinolyl)stibine (quinstib), and (R;S)-methylphenyl(8-quinolyl)stibine (R;S-quinstib) have been synthesised and the square-planar complexes [MX₂(picstib)], [MX₂(quinstib)] (where M = Pd or Pt and X = Cl, Br, I or SCN) and [MCl₂(R;S-quinstib)] (where M = Pd or Pt) isolated. The thiocyanato derivatives display linkage isomerism. The octahedral complexes [M(CO)_4-(picstib)] and [M(CO)₄(quinstib)] have also been prepared from the metal hexacarbonyls and the appropriate ligands by UV irradiation in tetrahydrofuran.     

Synthesis of a new donor, BEDT-HBDST and crystal structures, electrical and magnetic properties of (BEDT-HBDST)2MX4 (M=Fe, Ga, X=Cl, Br), where BEDT-HBDST=2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene

A novel conjugation-elongated bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene (BETS) type donor, 2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene (BEDT-HBDST) and its magnetic and non-magnetic anion salts, (BEDT-HBDST)₂MX₄ (MX₄⁻=FeCl₄⁻, GaCl₄⁻, FeBr₄⁻ and GaBr₄⁻), were prepared. These four salts are isostructural and belong to the space group of P2/c. They showed semiconducting behavior with small activation energies (59-64 meV). The band structures of these salts are quasi one-dimensional and there is a midgap between the upper band and the lower band, since the degree of dimerization is significant in the stacking direction. The MX₄⁻ ions are located between the donor columns and near to the ethylenedithio moieties of the donor molecules. The magnetic susceptibilities of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ salts follow the Curie-Weiss law with Curie constants of 4.6 and 4.8 emu K mol⁻¹ (sum of the spins of S=5/2 and S=1/2) and negative Weiss temperatures of θ=−1.2 and −4.9 K, respectively, revealing a weak antiferromagnetic interaction of 3d spins of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ anions. The Fe?Fe (6.66-7.60 Å), Cl?Cl (4.81-4.82 Å) and Br?Br (4.74-4.77 Å) distances in the crystal structures of these salts are significantly long. Therefore, the direct magnetic interaction between the 3d spins of the nearest neighboring Fe³⁺ ions appears to be not readily accessible.     

Expanded polycationic mercury-chalcogen networks in the layered compounds Hg3E2[MX6] (E=S, Se; M=Zr, Hf; X=Cl, Br)

The reactions of HgE (E=S, Se) with HgX₂ and MX₄ (M=Zr, Hf; X=Cl, Br) in evacuated glass ampoules lead to a series of isotypic compounds of the general formula Hg₃E₂[MX₆] in the form of colorless (X=Cl) and light-yellow (X=Br) air-sensitive crystals. The crystal structures of Hg₃S₂[ZrCl₆] (I), Hg₃S₂[HfCl₆] (II), Hg₃Se₂[ZrCl₆] (III), Hg₃Se₂[HfCl₆] (IV), Hg₃S₂[ZrBr₆] (V), and Hg₃Se₂[ZrBr₆] (VI) were refined based on single-crystal data. All compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with the lattice parameters a=662.18(2) pm, b=734.97(3) pm, c=1290.83(5) pm, β=91.755(2)° for (I) and and a=701.97(3) pm, b=756.79(3) pm, c=1350.99(6) pm, β=92.164(3)° for (VI). The structures are built of (Hg₃E₂)²⁺ layers stacked perpendicular to the c-axis. The polycationic layers consist of two-dimensionally linked 12-membered Hg₆E₆ rings in the chair conformation with linear coordinated Hg and trigonal pyramidal coordinated chalcogen atoms. Almost regular octahedral [MX₆]²⁻ ions are embedded between the layers. This arrangement is closely related to the structure of Hg₃S₂[SiF₆], which represents a higher symmetric congener. The structure relation is discussed using the supergroup-subgroup relation between space groups.     

Synthese et structure du sulfate double MSbF2SO4 (M = Rb,Cs)

The crystal structure of RbSbF₂SO₄ has been determined on a single crystal (R = 0.078 for 710 reflections). The structure shows sulfate anions distorted by the SOSb bonds. The antimony atom is from an SbF₂ unit. This antimony dihalogen is from the family of the $\text{1}\text{1}$ compounds which are in MX₃SbX₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) (X = Cl, Br) systems.     

Magnetic order in AVX3 (A = Rb,Cs, (CD3)4 N; X = Cl,Br, I): A neutron diffraction study

AVX₃ (A = Rb, Cs, (CD₃)₄ N; X = Cl, Br, I) crystallize in the hexagonal system, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}$, with chains of face-sharing VX₆ octahedra along the c-axis. This leads to a pronounced one-dimensional character of their magnetic properties with a strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction J between nearest neighbor V²⁺ ions along these chains. All compounds except [(CD₃)₄N]VCl₃ order three-dimensionally with ordering temperatures T_c between 13 and 32 K. In the ordered phase the magnetic moments, μ, lie in the basal plane in a triangular arrangement typical for antiferromagnetic interchain interaction J′.     

The crystal structure of AgTIX phases (X = S,Se, Te)

The isomorphism of ternary compounds AgTIX (X = S, Se, Te) is pointed out. The compounds have an orthorhombic unit cell with four formulas and the space group is Pnam. The crystal structure of AgTlTe has been solved with a final R value of 0.098. Silver and tellurium atoms are covalently bonded in chains of AgTe₄ tetrahedra delimiting channels where thallium atoms are located.     

Charge Carrier Doping in the Ni(dmit)2 Simple Salts by Hydrogen-Bonding Pyridinium Cations (dmit=1,3-dithiol-2thione-4,5-dithiolate)

Three kinds of the 1:1 Ni(dmit)₂ salts with 4-(4-pyridyl)pyridinium (PP), 4-[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium (P=P), and 4-[2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]pyridinium (P-P) cations have been prepared and structurally characterized. All of these crystals are composed of a multi-dimensional network of the Ni(dmit)₂ anions and the hydrogen-bonding one-dimensional cation chains. Compared with tight hydrogen bonds in the P=P and P-P chains, that in the PP chain is rather loose. The P=P and P-P salts show semiconducting behavior with high resistivity and large activation energy, while the PP salt shows the op-posite temperature dependence with low resistivity at high temperature. The thermoelectric power indicates that the PP salt is an n-doped semiconductor. The proton defects may occur in the loosely bound PP chain which results in the carrier doping in the conduction band formed by the π-π interaction of the Ni(dmit)₂ anion radicals.     

Electronic band structures and physical properties of ALnTe4 and ALn3Te8 compounds (A=alkali metal; Ln=lanthanoid)

We report about the LMTO-ASA band structure, ELF and COHP calculations for a number of alkali metal rare earth tellurides of the formulas ALnTe₄ (A=K, Rb, Cs and Ln=Pr, Nd, Gd) and KLn₃Te₈ (Ln=Pr, Nd) to point out structure-properties relations. The ALnTe₄ compounds crystallize in the KCeSe₄ structure type with Te ions arranged in the form of 4.3².4.3 nets, in which interatomic homonuclear distances indicate an arrangement of isolated dumbbells. This could be verified by the COHP and ELF calculations, both of which revealed isolated [Te₂] units. But in contrast to the ionic formulation as A⁺Ln³⁺ ([Te₂]²⁻)₂, which can be deduced from this observation, the band structure calculations for KPrTe₄, KNdTe₄, RbNdTe₄ and CsNdTe₄ reveal metallic conductivity. This behavior was verified for KNdTe₄ by resistivity measurements performed by a standard four-probe technique. We explain these results by an incomplete carryover of electrons from the rare earth cation onto tellurium due to covalent bonding leaving parts of the Te-Te ppπ^* antibonding states unoccupied. On the other hand the calculations suggest insulating behavior for KGdTe₄ resulting from a complete filling of the Te-Te ppπ^* antibonding states due to the increased stability of the half filled 4f shell. The ALn₃Te₈ compounds crystallize in the KNd₃Te₈ structure type, a distorted addition-defect variant of the NdTe₃ type with 4⁴ Te nets. As polyanionic fragments L-shaped [Te₃]²⁻ and infinite zig-zag chains _∞¹[Te₄]⁴⁻ are observed (with interatomic homonuclear distances in the range 2.82-3.00 Å), which are separated from each other by distances in the range 3.27-3.49 Å. Again COHP calculations made evident that these latter interactions are secondary. Within the infinite zig-zag chains _∞¹[Te₄]⁴⁻ the Te ions at the corners of the chain have a higher negative charge than the linear coordinated ones in the middle. KPr₃Te₈ and KNd₃Te₈ are semiconductors, verified for the latter by resistivity measurements.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of RE3MnSn5−x (RE=Tm, Lu) with 3D Mn-Sn framework

Four new isostructural rare earth manganese stannides, namely RE₃MnSn_5−x (x=0.16(6), 0.29(1) for RE=Tm, x=0.05(8), 0.21(3) for RE=Lu), have been obtained by reacting the mixture of corresponding pure elements at high temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that they crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=18.384(9)-18.495(6) Å, b=6.003(3)-6.062(2) Å, c=14.898(8)-14.976(4) Å, V=1644.3(14)-1679.0(9) Å³ and Z=8. Their structures belong to the Hf₃Cr₂Si₄ type and feature a 3D framework composed of 1D [Mn₂Sn₇] chains interconnected by [Sn₃] double chains via Sn-Sn bonds, forming 1D large channels based on [Mn₄Sn₁₆] 20-membered rings along the b-axis, which are occupied by the rare earth atoms. Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) for idealized “RE₃MnSn₅” model indicate that these compounds are metallic, which are in accordance with the results from temperature-dependent resistivity measurements.     

Magnetic and Transport Properties of RESnxSb2 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; x=0.5, 0.7)

The nonstoichiometric rare-earth tin antimonides RESn_xSb₂ (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) were characterized by ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy and their transport and magnetic properties were measured. The presence of nearly zero-valent Sn is suggested by the similarity of the ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer parameters in LaSn_xSb₂ (0.1≤x≤0.7) to those of elemental β-Sn. All RESn_0.7Sb₂ compounds exhibit metallic behavior. CeSn_0.7Sb₂ and NdSn_0.7Sb₂ show drops in resistivity below 8 K; this is attributed to a transition to a magnetically ordered state. At 25 K, CeSn_0.7Sb₂ also displays a resistivity minimum characteristic of ordered Kondo lattices. Magnetic studies indicate that, below 4 K, CeSn_xSb₂ (x=0.5, 0.7) orders ferromagnetically, whereas NdSn_xSb₂ (x=0.5, 0.7) orders antiferromagnetically and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at H_C=5.5 T and 2 K. Neither PrSn_xSb₂ nor SmSn_xSb₂ (x=0.5, 0.7) displays long-range magnetic ordering above 2 K.     

Infrared and raman spectra,and stereochemistries of 1:2 trimethylphosphine complexes of group V trihalides,MX3 · 2P(CH3)3 and MX3 · 2P(CD3)3 (where M = P or As and X = Cl or Br); spectra of 1,2-bisdimethylphosphinoethane and chelate complexes with group v trihalides

The 1 : 2 trimethylphosphine (deuterated and non-deuterated) adducts of the Group V trihalides MX₃ (where M = P or As and X = Cl or Br) are prepared and examined by vibrational spectroscopy. The forced cis-configuration complexes MX₃ · bdpe where bdpe is the bidentate ligand 1,2-bisdimethylphosphinoethane are also prepared and examined spectroscopically. Comparison of the Raman and IR spectra of these complexes shows the monodentate adducts to be covalent monomers having a trans-stereochemistry in the solid state. Normal coordinate calculations in C_2v symmetry (trans-stereochemistry) are performed for all monodentate adducts reported.     

High-temperature thermoelectric studies of A11Sb10 (A=Yb, Ca)

Large samples (6-8 g) of Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ and Ca₁₁Sb₁₀ have been synthesized using a high-temperature (1275-1375 K) flux method. These compounds are isostructural to Ho₁₁Ge₁₀, crystallizing in the body-centered, tetragonal unit cell, space group I4/mmm, with Z=4. The structure consists of antimony dumbbells and squares, reminiscent of Zn₄Sb₃ and filled Skutterudite (e.g., LaFe₄Sb₁₂) structures. In addition, these structures can be considered Zintl compounds; valence precise semiconductors with ionic contributions to the bonding. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), resistivity (ρ), Seebeck coefficient (α), thermal conductivity (κ), and thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) from room temperature to at minimum 975 K are presented for A₁₁Sb₁₀ (A=Yb, Ca). DSC/TG were measured to 1400 K and reveal the stability of these compounds to ∼1200 K. Both A₁₁Sb₁₀ (A=Yb, Ca) materials exhibit remarkably low lattice thermal conductivity (∼10 mW/cm K for both Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ and Ca₁₁Sb₁₀) that can be attributed to the complex crystal structure. Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ is a poor metal with relatively low resistivity (1.4 mΩ cm at 300 K), while Ca₁₁Sb₁₀ is a semiconductor suggesting that a gradual metal-insulator transition may be possible from a Ca_11−xYb_xSb₁₀ solid solution. The low values and the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficients for both compounds suggest that bipolar conduction produces a compensated Seebeck coefficient and consequently a low zT.     

An investigation of structural parameters and magnetic and optical properties of EuLn2Q4 (Ln=Tb-Lu, Q=S, Se)

EuLn₂Q₄ (Ln=Tb-Lu; Q=S, Se) has been synthesized using Sb₂Q₃ (Q=S, Se) fluxes at 1000 °C. These compounds crystallize in a CaFe₂O₄-type three-dimensional channel structure that is built from edge-shared double rutile chains of [LnQ₆] octahedra running down the b-axis. Each double chain is connected at the vertices to four other double chains to form open channels where bicapped trigonal prismatic Eu²⁺ ions reside. All of these compounds show antiferromagnetic ordering with Neel temperatures, T_N∼3-4 K. The optical band gaps for EuTb₂Se₄, EuDy₂Se₄, EuHo₂Se₄, EuEr₂Se₄, EuTm₂Se₄, EuYb₂Se₄ EuLu₂Se₄, and EuYb₂S₄ are found to be 2.0, 1.8, 1.8, 1.7, 1.8, 1.3, 1.7, and 1.6 eV, respectively.     

Lattice distortions in layered type arsenides LnTAs2 (Ln=La-Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb; T=Ag, Au): Crystal structures, electronic and magnetic properties

The lanthanide coinage-metal diarsenides LnTAs₂ (Ln=La, Ce-Nd, Sm; T=Ag, Au) have been reinvestigated and their structures have been refined from single crystal X-ray data. Two different distortion variants of the HfCuSi₂ type are found: PrAgAs₂, NdAgAs₂, SmAgAs₂, GdAgAs₂, TbAgAs₂, NdAuAs₂ and SmAuAs₂ crystallize as twofold superstructures in space group Pmcn with the As atoms of their planar layers forming zigzag chains, whereas LaAgAs₂, CeAgAs₂ and PrAuAs₂ adopt a fourfold superstructure (space group Pmca) with cis-trans chains of As atoms. The respective atomic positions can be derived from the HfCuSi₂ type by group-subgroup relations. The compounds with zigzag chains of As atoms exhibit metallic behaviour while those with cis-trans chains are semiconducting as measured on powder pellets. The majority of the compounds including 4f elements show antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N<20 K.     

Dilatation thermique,anisotropie structurale,et polymorphisme des sulfates de plomb PbSO4, nPbO (n = 0, 1, 2, 4)

The thermal expansion of basic lead sulfates has been measured by X-ray diffraction in the 77–1000 K temperature range. The results are interpreted by taking into account the different structural characteristics of the four compounds which have been studied (PbSO₄, nPbO with n = 0, 1, 2, and 4). Lead sulfate PbSO₄ is built up from tetrahedral SO₄ groups which are connected by lead atoms, yielding thus a quasi-isotropic thermal expansion. The introduction of additional PbO groups corresponds to the substitution of lead chains by -Pb₂O- chains (monobasic sulfate), or by -Pb₃O₂- double chains (dibasic sulfate). Layer-type structures are thus created, and the thermal expansion becomes very anisotropic. The transition observed at 723 K for the dibasic lead sulfate is explained by taking into account the density and the different thermal behavior of the compounds before and after transition. Some information concerning the tetrabasic lead sulfate structure is deduced.     

Structure property relationships in the ATi2O4 (A=Na, Ca) family of reduced titanates

Reduced titanates in the ATi₂O₄ (A=Li, Mg) spinel family exhibit a variety of interesting electronic and magnetic properties, most notably superconductivity in the mixed-valence spinel, Li_1+xTi_2−xO₄. The sodium and calcium analogs, NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄, each differ in structure, the main features of which are double rutile-type chains composed of edge-sharing TiO₆ octahedra. We report for the first time, the properties and band structures of these two materials. XANES spectroscopy at the Ti K-edge was used to probe the titanium valence. The absorption edge position and the pre-edge spectral features observed in the XANES data confirm the assignment of Ti³⁺ in CaTi₂O₄ and mixed-valence Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ in NaTi₂O₄. Temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetic susceptibility studies are consistent with the classification of both NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄ as small band-gap semiconductors, although changes in the high-temperature magnetic susceptibility of CaTi₂O₄ suggest a possible insulator-metal transition near 700 K. Band structure calculations agree with the observed electronic properties of these materials and indicate that while Ti-Ti bonding is of minimal importance in NaTi₂O₄, the titanium atoms in CaTi₂O₄ are weakly dimerized at room temperature.     

Syntheses and structures of six compounds in the A2LiMS4 (A=K, Rb, Cs; M=V, Nb, Ta) family

Six new compounds in the A₂LiMS₄ (A=K, Rb, Cs; M=V, Nb, Ta) family, namely K₂LiVS₄, Rb₂LiVS₄, Cs₂LiVS₄, Rb₂LiNbS₄, Cs₂LiNbS₄, and Rb₂LiTaS₄, have been synthesized by the reactions of the elements in Li₂S/S/A₂S₃ (A=K, Rb, Cs) fluxes at 773 K. The A and M atoms play a role in the coordination environment of the Li atoms, leading to different crystal structures. Coordination numbers of Li atoms are five in K₂LiVS₄, four in A₂LiVS₄ (A=Rb, Cs) and Cs₂LiNbS₄, and both four and five in Rb₂LiMS₄ (M=Nb, Ta). The A₂LiVS₄ (A=Rb, Cs) structure comprises one-dimensional chains of tetrahedra. The Rb₂LiMS₄ (M=Nb, Ta) structure is composed of two-dimensional layers. The Cs₂LiNbS₄ structure contains one-dimensional chains that are related to the Rb₂LiMS₄ layers. The K₂LiVS₄ structure contains a different kind of layer.     

Magnetic properties of EuLn2O4 (Ln=rare earths)

Ternary rare earth oxides EuLn₂O₄ (Ln=Gd, Dy-Lu) were prepared. They crystallized in an orthorhombic CaFe₂O₄-type structure with space group Pnma. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements show that the Eu ions are in the divalent state. All these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.2-6.3 K. From the positive Weiss constant and the saturation of magnetization for EuLu₂O₄, it is considered that ferromagnetic chains of Eu²⁺ are aligned along the b-axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, with neighboring Eu²⁺ chains antiparallel. When Ln=Gd-Tm, ferromagnetically aligned Eu²⁺ ions interact with the Ln³⁺ ions, which would overcome the magnetic frustration of triangularly aligned Ln³⁺ ions and the EuLn₂O₄ compounds show a simple antiferromagnetic behavior.     

Synthesis and single crystal structures of ternary phosphides Li4SrP2 and AAeP (A=Li, Na; Ae=Sr, Ba)

Two new (NaSrP, Li₄SrP₂) and two known (LiSrP, LiBaP) ternary phosphides have been synthesized and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. NaSrP crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric hexagonal space group (#189, a=7.6357(3) Å, c=4.4698(3) Å, V=225.69(2) Å³, Z=3, and R/wR=0.0173/0.0268). NaSrP adopts an ordered Fe₂P structure type. PSr₆ trigonal prisms share trigonal (pinacoid) faces to form 1D chains. Those chains define large channels along the [001] direction through edge-sharing. The channels are filled by chains of PNa₆ face-sharing trigonal prisms. Li₄SrP₂ crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group (#166, a=4.2813(2) Å, c=23.437(2) Å, V=372.04(4) Å³, Z=3, and R/wR=0.0142/0.0222). In contrast to previous reports, LiSrP and LiBaP crystallize in the centrosymmetric hexagonal space group P6₃/mmc (#194, a=4.3674(3) Å, c=7.9802(11) Å, V=131.82(2) Å³, Z=2, and R/wR=0.0099/0.0217 for LiSrP; a=4.5003(2) Å, c=8.6049(7) Å, V=150.92(2) Å³, Z=2, and R/wR=0.0098/0.0210 for LiBaP). Li₄SrP₂, LiSrP, and LiBaP can be described as Li₃P derivatives. Li atoms and P atoms make a graphite-like hexagonal layer, . In LiSrP and LiBaP, Sr or Ba atoms reside between layers to substitute for two Li atoms of Li₃P, while in Li₄SrP₂, Sr substitutes only between every other layer.