Synthesis, structure, and electronic structure of K2CuSbS3

The new compound K₂CuSbS₃ has been synthesized by the reaction of K₂S, Cu, Sb, and S at 823 K. The compound crystallizes in the Na₂CuSbS₃ structure type with four formula units in space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system in a cell at 153 K of a=6.2712 (6) Å, b=17.947 (2) Å, c=7.4901 (8) Å, β=120.573 (1)°, and V=725.81 (12) Å³. The structure contains two-dimensional layers separated by K atoms. Each layer is built from CuS₃ and SbS₃ units. Each Cu atom is pyramidally coordinated to three S atoms with the Cu atom about 0.4 Å above the plane of the S atoms. Each Sb atom is similarly coordinated to three S atoms but is about 1.1 Å above its S₃ plane. First-principles calculations indicate an indirect band gap of 1.9 eV. These calculations also indicate that there is a bonding interaction between the Cu and Sb atoms. An optical absorption measurement performed with light perpendicular to the (0 1 0) crystal face of a red block-shaped crystal of K₂CuSbS₃ indicates an experimental indirect band gap of 2.2 eV.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and properties of the rhombohedral modification of the thiospinel CuZr1.86(1)S4

The rhombohedral modification of the thiospinel, CuZr_1.86(1)S₄, has been synthesized by the reaction of the constituent elements in an alkali metal halide flux and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The title compound crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group (#166, a=7.3552(2) Å, c=35.832(2) Å, V=1678.76(13) Å³, Z=12, and R/wR=0.0239/0.0624). The structure is composed of close packed S layers, with a stacking order of ?ABCBCABABCACAB?·along the c axis. The Zr and Cu atoms occupy the octahedral and tetrahedral holes between S layers, respectively. Three different kinds of S-M-S layers exist in the structure: layer I has fully occupied Zr and Cu sites, layer II has fully occupied Zr sites but no Cu, and layer III has partially occupied Zr and fully occupied Cu sites. Transport and optical properties indicate that the title compound is a small band gap (1.26 eV) n-type semiconductor.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic and electronic properties of Cs2Hg2USe5

The compound Cs₂Hg₂USe₅ was obtained from the solid-state reaction of U, HgSe, Cs₂Se₃, Se, and CsI at 1123 K. This material crystallizes in a new structure type in space group P2/n of the monoclinic system with a cell of dimensions a=10.276(6) Å, b=4.299(2) Å, c=15.432(9) Å, β=101.857(6) Å, and V=667.2(6) Å³. The structure contains layers separated by Cs atoms. Within the layers are distorted HgSe₄ tetrahedra and regular USe₆ octahedra. In the temperature range of 25-300 K Cs₂Hg₂USe₅ displays Curie-Weiss paramagnetism with μ_eff=3.71(2) μ_B. The compound exhibits semiconducting behavior in the [010] direction; the conductivity at 298 K is 3×10⁻³ S/cm. Formal oxidation states of Cs/Hg/U/Se may be assigned as +1/+2/+4/− 2, respectively.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of La4MnCu6S10

The new quaternary sulfide La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃, MnS, and CuS₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in a new structure type in space group of the triclinic system with one formula unit in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=6.6076(3) Å, b=7.3247(3) Å, c=8.7844(4) Å, α=83.457(1)°, β=74.398(1)°, γ=89.996(1)°, and V=406.61(3) Å³. The structure of La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaS₇ monocapped trigonal prisms, MnS₆ octahedra, and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Band gaps of 2.49 eV in the [100] direction and 2.53 eV in the [001] direction have been derived from optical absorption measurements on a La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ single crystal.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new pillared perovskite La5Mo2.75V1.25O16

A new pillared perovskite compound La₅Mo_2.76(4)V_1.25(4)O₁₆, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and its crystal structure has been characterized using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. The magnetic properties of this compound have been investigated using SQUID magnetometry, and the magnetic structure has been studied using neutron diffraction data. A theoretical calculation of relative strengths of spin interactions among different magnetic ions and through different pathways has been performed using extended Hückel, spin dimer analysis. The crystal structure of this material contains perovskite-type layers that are connected through edge-sharing dimeric units of octahedra. The structure is described in space group C2/m with unit cell parameters a=7.931(2) Å, b=7.913(2) Å, c=10.346(5) Å and β=95.096(5)°. The material shows both short-range ferrimagnetic correlations from ∼200 to 110 K and long-range antiferromagnetic order below T_c∼100 K. The magnetic structure was investigated by neutron diffraction and is described by k=(0 0 ) as for other pillared perovskites. It consists of a ferrimagnetic arrangement of Mo and V within the layers that are coupled antiferromagnetically between layers. This is the first magnetic structure determination for any Mo-based pillared perovskite.     

Supramolecular assembly of organic bicapped Keggin polyoxometalate

Two novel supramolecular assemblies of organic bicapped Keggin polyoxometalates (pbpy)₈H₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]·2H₂O (1) and (pbpy)₄H[PMo₁₂O₄₀(VO)] (2) (pbpy=5-phenyl-2-(4-pyridinyl)pyridine) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data for compound (1), C₁₂₈H₁₀₃N₁₆O₄₂PW₁₂, triclinic, space group : a=13.4759(8) Å, b=14.6395(11) Å, c=16.5743(10) Å, α=95.764(2)°, β=102.166(2)°, γ=92.9870(10)°, Z=1, V=3171.1(4) Å³; for compound (2), C₆₄H₄₉N₈O₄₁PMo₁₂V, triclinic, space group : a=11.5377(11) Å, b=12.7552(8) Å, c=14.9599(10) Å, α=72.270(4)°, β=88.916(2)°, γ=67.865(4)°, Z=1, V=1931.0(3) Å³. X-ray analyses show that both 1 and 2 represent rare organic bicapped Keggin structures and are supported by supramolecular interactions to extend into a 3D framework. In particular, the unusual structure feature of compound 2 contains a simultaneously organic and inorganic capped structure.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of Ba2Cu2US5

The alkaline-earth uranium chalcogenide Ba₂Cu₂US₅ was obtained in a two-step reaction from BaS, Cu₂S, and US₂. Ba₂Cu₂US₅ crystallizes in a new structure type in space group C2/m of the monoclinic system with two formula units in a cell of dimensions a=13.606(3) Å, b=4.0825(8) Å, c=9.3217(19) Å, and β=116.32(3)° (153 K). The structure consists of layers separated by Ba atoms in bicapped trigonal-prismatic coordination. The two-dimensional layer is built from US₆ octahedra and CuS₄ tetrahedra. The connectivity of the MS_n polyhedra within the layer in the [001] direction is oct tet tet oct tet tet. A μ_eff value of 2.69(2) μ_B/U was obtained from the magnetic susceptibility data. No magnetic transition was observed for Ba₂Cu₂US₅ down to 2 K.     

[C6H21N4][Sb9S14O]: Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of the first non-centrosymmetric open Sb-S-O framework containing the new [SbS2O] building unit

[C₆H₂₁N₄][Sb₉S₁₄O] represents the first known oxo-thioantimonate with an organic ion acting as structure director. The compound crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group Cmc2₁ with a=29.679(2), b=9.9798(6), , , Z=4. The structure contains the hitherto unknown [SbS₂O] unit as a structural motif. The [SbS₃] trigonal pyramids and [SbS₂O] units are joined to form a 10-membered ring with large pores having a diameter of 7.7 Å×8.3 Å. The organic template molecule acts like a tetra-dentate ligand around the O atom of the [SbS₂O] group. Depending on the value chosen for the Sb-S bond lengths, the material contains a 1-, 2- or 3-dimensional anion. The optical band gap of 2.03 eV demonstrates that the material is an optical semi-conductor. Upon heating, the compound decomposes in two steps yielding finally a mixture of Sb and Sb₂S₃. The ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer spectrum shows a relative large line width in accordance with the superposition of the five signals.     

Crystal structure and phonon properties of noncentrosymmetric LiNaB4O7

A new borate, LiNaB₄O₇, has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. The material crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, noncentrosymmetric space group Fdd2, with unit cell dimensions a=13.325(2), b=14.099(2), c=10.243(2) Å, Z=16, and V=1924.3(7) Å³. Like Li₂B₄O₇, the structure is built of two symmetrically independent, interpenetrating polyanionic frameworks built from condensation of the B₄O₉ fundamental building block, which is comprised of two distorted BO₄ tetrahedra and two BO₃ triangles. The interpenetrating frameworks produce distinct tunnels that are selectively occupied by the Li and Na atoms. Large single crystals exhibiting an optical absorption edge with λ<180 nm have been grown via the top-seeded-solution-growth method. The SHG signal (0.15× potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP)) is consistent with the calculated components of the SHG tensor and the approximate centrosymmetric disposition of the independent and interpenetrating frameworks. A complete analysis of polarized IR and Raman spectra confirms a close relationship between the title compound and Li₂B₄O₇.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of BiMgVO5

The new vanadate BiMgVO₅ has been prepared and its structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction: space group P2₁/n, , , , β=107.38(5)°, wR₂=0.0447, R=0.0255. The structure consists of [Mg₂O₁₀] and [Bi₂O₁₀] dimers sharing their corners with [VO₄] tetrahedra. The ranges of bond lengths are 2.129-2.814 Å for Bi-O; 2.035-2.167 Å for Mg-O and 1.684-1.745 Å for V-O. V-O bond lengths determined from Raman band wavenumbers are between 1.679 and 1.747 Å. An emission band overlapping the entire visible region with a maximum around 650 nm is observed.     

Channels occupancy and distortion in new lithium uranyl phosphates with three-dimensional open-frameworks

Three new lithium uranyl phosphates, Li₂(UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂O (1), Li(UO₂)₄(PO₄)₃ (2) and Li₃(UO₂)₇(PO₄)₅O (3) were synthesized and studied. Powders of 1 and 2 were synthesized via solid state reaction, and single crystals of the three compounds were obtained by melting of 1 and 2 powders. The structures of the three compounds have been solved and refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. In the three compounds, the uranium atoms occupy square and pentagonal bipyramids. The uranium square bipyramids and phosphate tetrahedra are connected by vertices to form two types of layers with autunite sheet anion-topology and denoted S and D, respectively. The uranyl pentagonal bipyramids share opposite equatorial edges to form infinite chains. Mutually perpendicular chains are hung on each side of the sheets to build frameworks with non-crossing perpendicular channels that accommodate the lithium ions. Various stacking sequences of the S and D layers, S-S, D-D and S-D, generate three different frameworks in 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These compounds are similar to the recently reported vanadate analogous. However, the phosphate tetrahedra, smaller than the vanadate ones, gives distortion of the layers and a lowering of the symmetry and/or a change of periodicity. The electrical conductivity of 1 and 2 was measured using impedance spectroscopy method. The rather low conductivity of the lithium cations is explained by the crystal structure and the Li⁺ position within the tunnels. These results corroborate those on the analogous three-dimensional alkaline uranyl vanadates. Crystallographic data: 293 K, BRUKER X8-APEX2 X-ray diffractometer, 4 K CCD detector, MoKα, λ=0.71073 Å, full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F. 1, Tetragonal symmetry, space group I4₁/amd, Z=4 with a=7.1109(2) Å and c=25.0407(8) Å, R=0.034 and wR=0.047 for 38 parameters with 479 independent reflections with I?3σ(I). 2, monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁/c, Z=4 and a=9.8829(2) Å, b=9.8909(2) Å, c=17.4871(4) Å and β=106.198(1)°, R=0.021 and wR=0.031 for 249 parameters with 4201 independent reflections with I?3σ(I). 3, Tetragonal symmetry, space group with a=9.9305(2) Å and c=14.5741(3) Å, R=0.035 and wR=0.038 for 137 parameters with 4527 independent reflections with i?3σ(I).     

Synthesis, structure, band gap, and electronic structure of CsAgSb4S7

The compound CsAgSb₄S₇ has been synthesized by the reaction of the elements in a Cs₂S₃ flux at 773 K. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type with eight formula units in space group C2/c of the monoclinic system in a cell at 153 K of dimensions , , , β=97.650(1)°, and . The structure contains two-dimensional layers separated by Cs atoms. Each layer is built from edge-sharing one-dimensional and chains. Each Ag atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four S atoms. Each Sb³⁺ center is pyramidally coordinated to three S atoms to form an SbS₃ group. CsAgSb₄S₇ is insulating with an optical band gap of 2.04 eV. Extended Hückel calculations indicate that the band gap in CsAgSb₄S₇ is dominated by the Sb 5s and S 3p states above and below the Fermi level.     

Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of two lead(II) phosphonate-sulfonate hybrid materials

Hydrothermal reactions of lead(II) acetate with 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt (NaH₂BTS) and N-(phosphonomethyl)-N-methylglycine, MeN(CH₂CO₂H)(CH₂PO₃H₂) (H₃L¹), or a new aminodiphosphonic acid, 3-Pyridyl-CH₂N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ (H₄L²), afforded two novel lead(II) phosphonate-sulfonate hybrids, namely, Pb₃[L¹][BTS][H₂O]·H₂O 1 and Pb₂[HL³][BTS]·H₂O 2 (H₂L³=3-Pyridyl-CH₂(Me)N(CH₂PO₃H₂)). H₂L³ was formed as a result of the decomposition of one phosphonate group in H₄L² during the reaction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a=9.9148(4) Å, b=10.4382(4) Å, c=10.6926(2) Å, α=96.495(2)°, β=110.599(2)°, γ=98.433(2)°, V=1008.31(6) Å³, and Z=2. The structure of compound 1 features a 3D network built from the interconnection of hexanuclear Pb₆(L¹)₂ units and 1D double chains of lead(II) carboxylate-sulfonate. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.5403(7) Å, b=11.6170(8) Å, c=19.7351(15) Å, β=97.918(2)°, V=2166.4(3) Å³, and Z=4. Compound 2 has a 3D network structure built by the cross-linkage of 1D double chains of lead(II) phosphonates and 2D layers of lead(II) carboxylate-sulfonate.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and optical properties of CeMn0.5OSe

The new quaternary selenide CeMn_0.5OSe has been synthesized by the reaction of Ce, Mn, Se, and SeO₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in space group P4/nmm of the tetragonal system with two formula units in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=4.0260(7) Å, c=9.107(2) Å. CeMn_0.5OSe has the LaAgOS structure type. It is built from [CeO] fluorite-like layers where Ce₄O tetrahedra share Ce-Ce edges that alternate with [MnSe] anti-fluorite like layers along [001]. An optical band gap of 2.01 eV has been derived from absorption measurements on the (100) crystal face of a CeMn_0.5OSe single crystal.     

KBiMS4 (M=Si, Ge): Synthesis, structure, and electronic structure

Two new bismuth sulfides KBiSiS₄ and KBiGeS₄ have been synthesized by means of the reactive flux method. They adopt the RbBiSiS₄ structure type and crystallize in space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system. The structure consists of (M=Si, Ge) layers separated by bicapped trigonal-prismatically coordinated K atoms. The M atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four S atoms and the Bi atom is coordinated to a distorted monocapped trigonal prism of seven S atoms. The optical band gap of 2.25(2) eV for KBiSiS₄ was deduced from the diffuse reflectance spectrum. From a band structure calculation, the optical absorption for KBiSiS₄ originates from the layer. The Si 3p orbitals, Bi 6p orbitals, and S 3p orbitals are highly hybridized near the Fermi level. The orbitals of K have no contributions on both the upper of valence band and the bottom of conduction band.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of an Os-containing pillared perovskite La5Os3MnO16

A new Os-containing, pillared perovskite, La₅Os₃MnO₁₆, has been synthesized by solid state reaction in sealed quartz tubes. This extends the crystal chemistry of these materials which had been known only for Mo and Re, previously. The crystal structure has been characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and is described in space group C-1 with parameters a=7.9648(9) Å; b=8.062(1) Å; c=10.156(2) Å, α=90.25(1)°, β=95.5(1)°; γ=89.95(2)°, for La₅Os₃MnO₁₆. The compound is isostructural with the corresponding La₅Re₃MnO₁₆ phase. A very short Os-Os distance of 2.50(1) Å was found in the dimeric pillaring unit, Os₂O₁₀, suggestive of a triple bond as demanded by electron counting. Nearly spin only values for the effective moment for Os⁵⁺ () and Mn²⁺ () were derived from magnetic susceptibility data. Evidence for magnetic transitions was seen near ∼180 and 80 K. Neutron diffraction data indicate that T_c is 170(5) K. The magnetic structure of La₅Os₃MnO₁₆ at 7 K was solved revealing that Os⁵⁺ and Mn²⁺ form ferrimagnetically coupled layers with antiferromagnetic interlayer ordering. The ordered moments are for Mn²⁺ and for Os⁵⁺, which are reduced from the respective spin only values of 5.0 and . The observation of net ferrimagnetic (antiparallel) intraplanar coupling between Os⁵⁺(t_2g³) and Mn²⁺(t_2g³e_g²) is interesting as it appears to contradict the Goodenough-Kanamori rules for 180° superexchange.     

The A1−xUNbO6−x/2 compounds (x=0, A=Li, Na, K, Cs and x=0.5, A=Rb, Cs): from layered to tunneled structure

Attempts to prepare alkaline metal uranyl niobates of composition A_1−xUNbO_6−x/2 by high-temperature solid-state reactions of A₂CO₃, U₃O₈ and Nb₂O₅ led to pure compounds for x=0 and A=Li (1), Na (2), K (3), Cs (4) and for x=0.5 and A=Rb (5), Cs (6). Single crystals were grown for 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and for the mixed Na_0.92Cs_0.08UNbO₆ (7) compound. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=10.3091(11), b=6.4414(10), c=7.5602(5) Å, β=100.65(1), Z=4, R₁=0.054 (wR₂=0.107); 3, 5 and 7 orthorhombic, Pnma, Z=8, with a=10.307(2), 10.272(4) and 10.432(3) Å, b=7.588(1), 7.628(3) and 7.681(2) Å, c=13.403(2), 13.451(5) and 13.853(4) Å, R₁=0.023, 0.046 and 0.036 (wR₂=0.058, 0.0106 and 0.088) for 3, 5 and 7, respectively; 6, orthorhombic, Cmcm, Z=8, and a=13.952(3), b=10.607(2) Å, c=7.748(2) Å, R₁=0.044 (wR₂=0.117).The crystal structure of 1 is characterized by layers of uranophane sheet anion topology parallel to the (100) plane. These layers are formed by the association by edge-sharing of chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and chains of corner-shared NbO₅ square pyramids alternating along the [010] direction. The Li⁺ ions are located between two consecutive layers and hold them together; the Li⁺ ions and two layers constitute a neutral “sandwich” {(UNbO₆)⁻-(Li)₂²⁺-(UNbO₆)⁻}. In this unusual structure, the neutral sandwiches are stacked one above another with no formal chemical bonds between the neutral sandwiches.The homeotypic compounds 3, 5, 6, 7 have open-framework structures built from the association by edge-sharing in two directions of parallel chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and ribbons of two edge-shared NbO₆ octahedra further linked by corners. In 3, 5 and 7, the mono-dimensional large tunnels created in the [001] direction by this arrangement can be considered as the association by rectangular faces of two columns of triangular face-shared trigonal prisms of uranyl oxygens. In 3 and 7, all the trigonal prisms are occupied by the alkaline metal, in 5, they are half-occupied. In 6, the polyhedral arrangement is more symmetric and the tunnels created in the [010] direction are built of face-sharing cubes of uranyl oxygens totally occupied by the Cs atoms. This last compound well illustrates the structure-directing effect of the conterion.