Idle spin behavior of the shifted hexagonal tungsten bronze type compounds FeIIFeIII2F8(H2O)2 and MnFe2F8(H2O)2

Fe^IIFe^III₂F₈(H₂O)₂ and MnFe₂F₈(H₂O)₂, grown by hydrothermal synthesis ($\text{P ? 200}\text{MPa}\text{, T = 450}\text{or}\text{380°}\text{C}$), crystallize in the monoclinic system with cell dimensions (Å): a = 7.609(5), b = 7.514(6), c = 7.453(4), β = 118.21(3)°; and a = 7.589(6), b = 7.503(8), c = 7.449(5), β = 118.06(3)°, and space group $\text{C2}\text{m}\text{, Z = 2}$. The structure is related to that of $\text{WO}{}_3\text{·}\text{1}\text{3}\text{H}{}_2\text{O}$. It is described in terms of perovskite type layers of Fe³⁺ octahedra separated by Fe²⁺ or Mn²⁺ octahedra, or in terms of shifted hexagonal bronze type layers. Both compounds present a weak ferromagnetism below T_N (157 and 156 K, respectively). Mössbauer spectroscopy points to an “idle spin” behavior for Fe^IIFe^III₂F₈(H₂O)₂: only Fe³⁺ spins order at T_N, while the Fe²⁺ spins remain paramagnetic between 157 and 35 K. Below 35 K, the hyperfine magnetic field at the Fe²⁺ nuclei is very weak: H_hf = 47 kOe at T = 4.2 K. For MnFe₂F₈(H₂O)₂, Mn²⁺ spin disorder is expected at 4.2 K. This “idle spin” behavior is due to magnetic frustration.     

The crystal structure of Cs[VOF3] · 12H2O

The crystal structure of $\text{Cs[VOF}{}_3\text{]}\text{·}\text{1}\text{2}\text{H}{}_2\text{O}$ has been determined and refined on the basis of three-dimensional X-ray diffractometer data (MoKα radiation). The structure is monoclinic, a = 7.710(2), b = 19.474(7), c = 7.216(2)Å, β = 116.75(1)°, V = 967.5ų, Z =8, space group Cc (No. 9). The final R and R_w were 0.0295 and 0.0300, respectively, for 1356 independent reflections and 117 variables.The structure contains two crystallographically different VOF₅ octahedra linked so as to form complex chains. Two non-equivalent octahedra share one FF edge, forming V₂O₂F₈ doublets. Two F atoms, connected to different V atoms within the doublet, form an edge in the adjacent equivalent V₂O₂F₈ unit thus continuing the chain. The VO distances are 1.583(7) and 1.595(7) Å. The VF distances are in the range 1.881-2.205 Å, mean value: 1.989 Å. The H₂O group is a crystal water molecule.     

New SbS2 strings in the BaSb2S4 structure

The new compound BaSb₂S₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group: $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$, No. 14) with a = 8.985(2) Å, b = 8.203(3) Å, c = 20.602(5) Å, β = 101.36(3)°. SbS₃ ψ tetrahedra and ψ-trigonal SbS₄ bipyramids are connected by common corners and edgers to infinite strings. These are arraged cross-wise in sheets perpendicular to the c axis.     

KxP2W2O16: A bronze with a tunnel structure built up from PO4 tetrahedra and WO6 octahedra

The structure of a $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{P}{}_2\text{W}{}_4\text{O}{}_{16}\text{(x ? 0.4)}$ crystal was established by X-ray analysis. The solution in the cell of symmetry $\text{P2}{}_1\text{m}$, with a = 6.6702(5), b = 5.3228(8), c = 8.9091(8) Å, β = 100.546(7)°, Z = 1, has led to R = 0.033 and R_w = 0.036 for 2155 reflections with $\text{σ(I)}\text{I}\text{≤ 0.333}$. This structure can be described as two octahedra-wide ReO₃-type slabs connected through “planes” of PO₄ tetrahedra. A new structural family K_xP₂W_2nO_6n+4 can be foreseen which is closely related to the orthorhombic P₄W₈O₃₂ and the monoclinic Rb_xP₈W_8nO_24n+16 series.     

Crystal growth and X-ray data of the lead phosphates Pb4P2O9 and Pb8P2O13

Single crystals of the title compounds have been grown by the Czochralski technique. Pb₄P₂O₉ crystallizes in the space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ with the parameters a = 9.4812 Å, b = 7.1303 Å, c = 14.390 Å, β = 104.51° and Pb₈P₂O₁₃ in $\text{C2}\text{m}$ with a = 10.641 Å, b = 10.206Å c = 14.342 Å, β = 98.34°.     

Structural and magnetic properties of KPbCr2F9

A precise structural determination of KPbCr₂F₉ was carried out. The symmetry is orthorhombic with a = 9.81(5), b = 5.412(3), c = 13.93(1) Å, and Pnma. The structure was refined from 1285 X-ray reflections by full-matrix least squares to an R = 0.041. The lattice is made up of double chains (Cr₂F₉)^3n?_n running along the b axis with Pb and K atoms ensuring its cohesion. The results of the magnetic studies are reported and discussed.     

Crystal chemistry of the BaNbS system: A layer structure of approximate composition Ba2NbS4(S2)0.5

Black platy crystals from the product of a reaction mixture of 6BaS : 3Nb : 7S reacted at 1000°C were hexagonal with a = 6.909(4) Å, c = 49.25(2) Å, $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}\text{, Z = 10}$. A pronounced subcell with a = 6.91Å, c = 5.5 Å indicated that this was a layer structure consisting of stacking of close-packed BaS₃ layers. Three dimensional X-ray diffraction data were collected from a single crystal using monochromatized MoKα radiation. From the 1535 measured reflections, 782 unique structure amplitudes were obtained of which 608 greater than 2σ(F) were used to solve the structure. The final R = 0.1065, ωR = 0.0793; for 91 reflections with l = 9n, R = 0.0397 and for the 517 reflections l ≠ 9n, R = 0.138. The structure is based on the stacking of close-packed BaS₃ layers with the sequence CBDBABDBC BCDCACDCB, where D designates a disordered layer. The disordered layers contain two crystallographically independent Ba with partial site occupancies and disordered S₂ and S ions. Nb occupy octahedral interstices and form two different arrangements; a unit consisting of 3 face-sharing octahedra and a unit of 2 face-sharing octahedra. These octahedral units are separated by the disordered layers. The NbNb distances in the chain of 3 are 3.29 Å and they are 3.57 Å in the double unit.     

Etude structurale d'un nouveau tellurate alcalin: Na2TeO4. Evolution de la coordination du tellure(VI) et du cation quand on passe du cation lithium au sodium

Single crystal Na₂TeO₄ has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and its structure determined from three dimensional X-ray analysis. The crystal is monoclinic, space group $\text{P}\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ with a = 10.632(5)Å, b = 5.161(2)Å; c = 13.837(11)Å, and β = 103.27(4)°. The crystal structure is built up of chains of Te(VI)O₆ octahedra parallel to the [010] axis which can be formulated as [TeO₄]_n^2n?. All sodium cations are in very distorted octahedral coordination.     

Phase equilibrium relations in the binary systems LiPO3CeP3O9 and NaPO3CeP3O9

The LiPO₃CeP₃O₉ and NaPO₃CeP₃O₉ systems have been investigated for the first time by DTA, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. Each system forms a single 1:1 compound. LiCe(PO₃)₄ melts in a peritectic reaction at 980°C. NaCe(PO₃)₄ melts incongruently, too, at 865°C. These compounds have a monoclinic unit cell with the parameters: a = 16.415(6), b = 7,042(6), c = 9.772(7)Å; β = 126.03(5)°; Z = 4; space group $\text{C}{}_2\text{c}$ for LiCe (PO₃)₄; and a = 9.981(4), b = 13.129(6), c = 7.226(5) Å, β = 89.93(4)°, Z = 4, space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{n}$ for NaCe(PO₃)₄. It is established that both compounds are mixed polyphosphates with chain structure of the type |M^I_IM^III_II (PO₃)₄|_∞M^I_I: alkali metal, M^III_II: rare earth.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ba2Ni3F10

Ba₂Ni₃F₁₀ is monoclinic (space group $\text{C2}\text{m}$), a = 18.542(7) Å, b = 5.958(2) Å, c = 7.821(3) Å, β = 111°92(10). Ba₂Co₃F₁₀ and Ba₂Zn₃F₁₀ are isostructural. The structure has been refined from 995 reflections by full-matrix least-squares refinement to a weighted R value of 0.048 (unweighted R, 0.047). The three-dimensional network can be described either by complex chains connected to each other by octahedra sharing corners or with an 18L dense-packing sequence. The basic unit (Ni₃F₁₀)^4? is discussed and compared to the different unit existing in Cs₄Mg₃F₁₀. Antiferromagnetic properties of Ba₂Ni₃F₁₀ (T_N = 50 K are described.     

Crystallographic parameters in α-UF5 and U2F9 by multiphase refinement of high-resolution neutron powder data

The crystal structures of α-UF₅ and U₂F₉ were refined with high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data from an $\text{α-}\text{UF}{}_5\text{U}{}_2\text{F}{}_9$ mixture. Refinement was achieved by a multiphase Rietveld profile refinement technique. The results are compared with previous X-ray and neutron powder studies.     

Substitution in barium-fluoride apatite: The crystal structures of Ba10(PO4)6F2, Ba6La2Na2(PO4)6F2 and Ba4Nd3Na3(PO4)6F2

The crystal structures of the apatites Ba₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂(I), Ba₆La₂Na₂(PO₄)₆F₂(II) and Ba₄Nd₃Na₃(PO₄)₆F₂ (III) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three compounds crystallize in a hexagonal apatite-like structure. The unit cells and space groups are: I, a = 10.153(2), c = 7.733(1)Å, $\text{P6}{}_3\text{m}\text{; a = 9.9392(4), c = 7.4419(5)}$Å, $\text{P}\text{6}$; III, a = 9.786(2), c = 7.281(1)Å, $\text{P}\text{3}$. The structures were refined by normal full-matrix crystallographic least squares techniques. The final values of the refinement indicators R_w and R are: I, R_w = 0.026, R = 0.027, 613 observed reflections; II, R_w = 0.081, R = 0.074, 579 observed reflections; III, R_w = 0.062, R = 0.044, 1262 observed reflections.In I, the Ba(1) atoms located in columns on threefold axes, are coordinated to nine oxygen atoms; the Ba(2) sites form triangles about the F site and are coordinated to six oxygen atoms and one fluoride ion. The fluoride ions are statistically displaced ～0.25 Å from the Ba(2) triangles. This displacement of the F ions is analogous to the displacement of OH ion in Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂.The structures of II and III contain disordered cations. In II there is disorder between La and Na in the column cation sites as well as triangle sites. In III, Nd and Na ions are ordered in the column sites, but there is disorder among Ba and the remaining Nd and Na ions in the triangle sites to give an average site population of $\text{2}\text{3}\text{Ba}\text{,}\text{1}\text{6}\text{Nd}\text{,}\text{1}\text{6}\text{Na}$. The coordination of the rare earth ions and Na ions in the ordered column sites are nine and six oxygens, respectively, in accord with the greater charge of the rare earth ions as compared with Na. The F ions in both II and III suffer from considerable disorder in position, and their locations are not precisely known.     

Dimorphisme et structure du disulfure de lanthane LaS2

The stoichiometric lanthanum disulfide LaS₂ presents a reversible phase transition at about 750°C. The α low-temperature form is monoclinic with the LaSe₂ type. All the crystals are twinned with the same twin law (100). The cell parameters are a = 8.18, b = 8.13, c = 4.03Å, γ = 90°, space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{a}$. The β high-temperature form has the orthorhombic structure previously described with the parameters a = 8.13, b = 16.34, c = 4.14 Å; space group Pnma. The two structures are compared.     

The crystal structure of a new nonstoichiometric phase Cs1−xLu3F10−x (x ⋍ 0.25)

A high-temperature phase with the formula $\text{Cs}{}_{\mathrm{1?x}}\text{Lu}{}_3\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{10?x}}\text{(x ? 0.25)}$ has been characterized during the investigation of the CsFLuF₃ system. This phase crystallizes in the monoclinic system with unit-cell dimensions a = 13.764(5) Å, b = 7.947(1) Å, c = 4.299(2)Å, β = 90.04(5)° and space group Cm (No. 8), Z = 2. The structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to a conventional R of 0.053 (R_w = 0.079) for 2038 independent reflections recorded on an automatic four-circle diffractometer. The structure may be regarded as built up of (Lu₃F₁₀)^? layers that may be described as corner- and edge-shared LuF₇ pentagonal bipyramids. These layers run parallel to the (001) plane. The structure extends along the third direction by cornersharing involving axial vertices of the pentagonal bipyramids. This three-dimensional framework delimits tunnels running parallel to the c direction where the Cs⁺ ions lie. The partial occupancies of both the Cs site and one out of the seven independent fluorine sites results in the nonstoichiometry.     

Crystal structures of phosphomolybdyl salts: Pb(MoO2)2(PO4)2 and Ba(MoO2)2(PO4)2

Crystal structures of Pb(MoO₂)₂(PO₄)₂ and Ba(MoO₂)₂(PO₄)₂ were determined. Both compounds contain the molybdyl group MoO₂. The monoclinic unit-cell parameters are a = 6.353(7), b = 12.289(4), c = 11.800 Å, β = 92°56(6), and Z = 4 for the lead salt and a = 6.383(8), b = 7.142(7), c = 9.953(8) Å, β = 95°46(8), and Z = 2 for the barium salt. $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ is the common space group. The R values are respectively R = 0.027 and R = 0.031 for 1964 and 1714 independent reflections. The frameworks built up by a three-dimensional network of monophosphate PO₄ and molybdyl MoO₂ groups are similar, characterized mainly by corner-sharing PO₄ and MoO₆ polyhedra. Two oxygen atoms of each MoO₆ group are bonded to the molybdenum atom only as in other molybdyl salts.     

Crystal structures of the fluorite-related phases CaHf4O9 and Ca6Hf19O44

Crystal structures for the fluorite-related phases CaHf₄O₉$\text{ф}{}_1$) and Ca₆Hf₁₉O₄₄ ($\text{ф}{}_2$) have been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data. qf₁ is monoclinic, $\text{C2}\text{c}$, with a = 17.698 Å, b = 14.500Å, c = 12.021 Å, β = 119.47° and Z = 16. qf₂ is rhombohedral, $\text{R}\text{3}\text{c}$, with a = 12.058 Å, α = 98.31° and Z = 2.Both phases are superstructures derived from the defect fluorite structure by ordering of the cations and of the anion vacancies. The ordering is such that the calcium ions are always 8-coordinated by oxygen ions, while the hafnium ions may be 6-, 7-, or 8-coordinated. The closest approach of anion vacancies is a $\text{1}\text{2}\text{〈111〉}$ fluorite subcell vector, and in each structure vacancies with this separation form strings.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of BaTiF5 and CaTiF5

Single crystals of BaTiF₅ and CaTiF₅ were obtained by the Czochralski and Bridgman techniques, respectively. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction; BaTiF₅: $\text{14}\text{m}\text{, a = 15.091(5)}$Å, c = 7.670(3)Å; CaTiF₅: $\text{I2}\text{c}\text{, a = 9.080(4)}$Å, b = 6.614Å, c = 7.696(3)Å, β = 115.16(3)°. Both structures are characterized by the presence of either branched or straight chains of TiF₆ octahedra. BaTiF₅ contains the unusual dimeric unit (Ti₂F₁₀)^4?. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on both compounds in the temperature range 4.2 to 300 K, however, no evidence for magnetic interactions between the Ti³⁺ moments were observed.     

High pressure and high temperature investigations in the system MgOSiO2H2O

The system MgOSiO₂H₂O was investigated at pressures between 40 and 95 kbar and at temperatures between 500 and 1400°C. The reaction products were examined by X-ray, optical and thermal analysis techniques and the density of phase A discovered by Ringwood and Major was also measured. It was found that phase A was hydrated and its chemical formula was H₆Mg₇Si₂O₁₄. When the $\text{Mg}\text{Si}$ ratio of the system is 2, phase A + clinoenstatite, and forsterite are stable at temperatures lower and higher than a boundary curve T (°C) = 10P (kbar), respectively. When the $\text{Mg}\text{Si}$ ratio of the system is 3, phase A + phase D (which is completely different from the phases, A, B and C discovered by Ringwood and Major, and any other known phases of magnesium silicate) and phase D + brucite are stable at temperatures lower and higher than a boundary curve T(°C) = 10P (kbar) + 200. Phase A has approximately an hexagonal symmetry and the space group and the lattice parameters are determined as P6₃ or $\text{P6}{}_3\text{m}$ and a = 7.866(2) Å and c = 9.600(3) Å, respectively. The measured density is 2.96 ± 0.02 g/cm³. The optical observations show that phase A is biaxial positive crystal with refractive indices α = 1.638 ± 0.001, β = 1.640 ± 0.002, and γ = 1.649 ± 0.001. Some interpretation is given on the inconsistency between the symmetry determined by the X-ray diffraction and the optical observation. The new phase D belongs to the space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ with lattice parameters a = 7.914(2)Å, b = 4.752(1) Å, c = 10.350(2) Å and β = 108.71(5)° and is a biaxial crystal with refractive indices α = 1.630 ± 0.002, β = 1.642 ± 0.002 and γ = 1.658 ± 0.001.     

Bronzes with a tunnel structure KxP4O8(WO3)2m: The tenth member of the series—KP8W40O136

The crystal structure of KP₈W₄₀O₁₃₆, the tenth member of the series K_xP₄O₈(WO₃)_2m, has been resolved by three-dimensional single-crystal X-ray analysis. The space group is $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ and the cell parameters are a = 19.589(3) Å, b = 7.5362(4) Å, c = 16.970(3) Å and β = 91.864(14)°. The framework is built up from ReO₃-type slabs connected through pyrophosphate groups. The structure is compared to those of the other members of the series: although the ReO₃-type slabs show a different type of tilting of the WO₆ octahedra, the dispersion of WO distances is always higher for the octahedra linked to one or two P₂O₇ groups and decreases in proportion as W is farther from these groups. The perovskite cages of the slabs are described and compared to those encountered in the structures of WO₃ and of the bronzes A_xWO₃.     

The pyrophosphate NaFeP2O7: A cage structure

The high-temperature form of NaFeP₂O₇ crystallizes in the monoclinic $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ space group with a = 7.3244(13), b = 7.9045(7), c = 9.5745(15), Å, β = 111.858(13)°, and Z = 4. The structure has been refined from 3842 reflections leading to R = 0.040 and R_w = 0.047. The structure of II-NaFeP₂O₇ can be described by alternately stacking layers containing the FeO₆ octahedra and layers formed by the P₂O₇ groups, parallel to (001). Elongated cages are formed where two Na⁺ ions are located. The structure is compared with that of KAlP₂O₇. Both structures are built up from blocks of three polyhedra, [FeP₂O₁₁] or [AlP₂O₁₁], including a small O_octO_tetO_oct angle. These blocks are connected in such a way that several types of tunnels appear in each structure.