Ternary rare-earth arsenides REZn3As3 (RE = La-Nd, Sm) and RECd3As3 (RE = La-Pr)

Ternary rare-earth zinc arsenides REZn(3)As(3) (RE = La-Nd, Sm) with polymorphic modifications different from the previously known defect CaAl(2)Si(2)-type forms, and the corresponding rare-earth cadmium arsenides RECd(3)As(3) (RE = La-Pr), have been prepared by reaction of the elements at 800 °C. LaZn(3)As(3) adopts a new orthorhombic structure type (Pearson symbol oP28, space group Pnma, Z = 4, a = 12.5935(8) ?, b = 4.1054(3) ?, c = 11.5968(7) ?) in which ZnAs(4) tetrahedra share edges to form ribbons that are fragments of other layered arsenide structures; these ribbons are then interconnected in a three-dimensional framework with large channels aligned parallel to the b direction that are occupied by La(3+) cations. All remaining compounds adopt the hexagonal ScAl(3)C(3)-type structure (Pearson symbol hP14, space group P6(3)/mmc, Z = 2; a = 4.1772(7)-4.1501(2) ?, c = 20.477(3)-20.357(1) ? for REZn(3)As(3) (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm); a = 4.4190(3)-4.3923(2) ?, c = 21.4407(13)-21.3004(8) ? for RECd(3)As(3) (RE = La-Pr)) in which [M(3)As(3)](3-) layers (M = Zn, Cd), formed by a triple stacking of nets of close-packed As atoms with M atoms occupying tetrahedral and trigonal planar sites, are separated by La(3+) cations. Electrical resistivity measurements and band structure calculations revealed that orthorhombic LaZn(3)As(3) is a narrow band gap semiconductor.     

Ternary early-transition-metal palladium pnictides Zr3Pd4P3, Hf3Pd4P3, HfPdSb, and Nb5Pd4P4

Several ternary palladium pnictides of the early transition metals have been prepared by arc-melting of the elemental metals and the binary pnictides ZrP, HfP, HfSb2, or NbP, and their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The phosphides M3Pd4P3 (M = Zr, Hf) adopt a new structure type (Pearson symbol oP40), crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with Z = 4 and unit cell parameters of a = 16.387(2), b = 3.8258(5), and c = 9.979(1) A for Zr3Pd4P3 and a = 16.340(2), b = 3.7867(3), and c = 9.954(1) A for Hf3Pd4P3. The antimonide HfPdSb was identified by powder X-ray diffraction (orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, a = 6.754(1) A, b = 4.204(1) A, and c = 7.701(2) A) and confirmed to be isostructural to ZrPdSb, which adopts the TiNiSi-type structure. The phosphide Nb5Pd4P4 adopts the Nb5Cu4Si4-type structure, crystallizing in the tetragonal space group I4/m with Z = 2, a = 10.306(1) A, and c = 3.6372(5) A. Coordination geometries of pentacapped pentagonal prisms for the early transition metal, tetracapped distorted tetragonal prisms for Pd, and tricapped trigonal prisms for the pnicogen are found in the three structures; tetracapped tetragonal prisms for Nb are also found in Nb5-Pd4P4. In common with many metal-rich compounds whose metal-to-nonmetal ratio is equal or close to 2:1, the variety of structures formed by these ternary palladium pnictides arises from the differing connectivity of pnicogen-filled trigonal prisms. Pnicogen-pnicogen bonds are absent in these structures, but metal-metal bonds (in addition to metal-pnicogen bonds) are important interactions, as verified by extended Hückel band structure calculations on Zr3Pd4P3.     

Zr(7)Sb(4): a new binary zirconium-rich antimonide

Zr(7)Sb(4) has been prepared by arc-melting of the elemental components and annealing at 1000-1150 degrees C. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction (Pearson symbol mP44, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 8.4905(6) A, b = 11.1557(8) A, c = 11.1217(8) A, beta = 111.443(2) degrees at 295 K). Zr(7)Sb(4) is isotypic to Hf(6)TiSb(4), a compound stabilized by differential fractional site occupancy. It is the first binary group-4 antimonide with this metal-to-antimony ratio, but it differs from the corresponding phosphides and arsenides M(7)Pn(4) (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; Pn = P, As), which adopt the Nb(7)P(4)-type structure. Zr(7)Sb(4) is built up from layers excised from the tetragonal W(5)Si(3)-type structure; these layers are displaced relative to each other to maximize interlayer Zr-Zr and Zr-Sb bonding, as confirmed by band structure calculations.     

Chemical pressure and rare-earth orbital contributions in mixed rare-earth silicides La(5-x)Y(x)Si4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 5)

A crystallographic study and theoretical analysis of the structural and La/Y site preferences in the La(5-x)Y(x)Si(4) (0 ≤ x ≤ 5) series prepared by high-temperature methods is presented. At room temperature, La-rich La(5-x)Y(x)Si(4) phases with x ≤ 3.0 exhibit the tetragonal Zr(5)Si(4)-type structure (space group P4(1)2(1)2, Z = 4, Pearson symbol tP36), which contains only Si-Si dimers. On the other hand, Y-rich phases with x = 4.0 and 4.5 adopt the orthorhombic Gd(5)Si(4)-type structure (space group Pnma, Z = 4, Pearson symbol oP36), also with Si-Si dimers, whereas Y(5)Si(4) forms the monoclinic Gd(5)Si(2)Ge(2) structure (space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, Pearson symbol mP36), which exhibits 50% "broken" Si-Si dimers. Local and long-range structural relationships among the tetragonal, orthorhombic, and monoclinic structures are discussed. Refinements from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the three independent sites for La or Y atoms in the asymmetric unit reveal partial mixing of these elements, with clearly different preferences for these two elements. First-principles electronic structure calculations, used to investigate the La/Y site preferences and structural trends in the La(5-x)Y(x)Si(4) series, indicate that long- and short-range structural features are controlled largely by atomic sizes. La 5d and Y 4d orbitals, however, generate distinct, yet subtle effects on the electronic density of states curves, and influence characteristics of Si-Si bonding in these phases.     

Planar versus puckered nets in the polar intermetallic series EuGaTt (Tt = Si, Ge, Sn)

The ternary polar intermetallic compounds EuGaTt (Tt = Si, Ge, Sn) have been synthesized and characterized experimentally, as well as theoretically. EuGaSi crystallizes in the hexagonal AlB(2)-type structure (space group P6/mmm, Z = 1, Pearson symbol hP3) with randomly distributed Ga and Si atoms on the graphite-type planes: a = 4.1687(6) A, c = 4.5543(9) A. On the other hand, EuGaGe and EuGaSn adopt the hexagonal YPtAs-type structure (space group P6(3)/mmc, Z = 4, Pearson symbol hP12): a = 4.2646(6) A and c = 18.041(5) A for EuGaGe; a = 4.5243(5) A and c = 18.067(3) A for EuGaSn. The three crystal structures contain formally [GaTt](2-) polyanionic 3-bonded, hexagonal networks, which change from planar to puckered and exhibit a significant decrease in interlayer Ga-Ga distances as the size of Tt increases. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of this series of compounds show Curie-Weiss behavior above 86(5), 95(5), and 116(5) K with magnetic moments of 7.93, 7.97, and 7.99 mu(B) for EuGaSi, EuGaGe, and EuGaSn, respectively, indicating a 4f(7) electronic configuration (Eu(2+)) for Eu atoms. X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) are also consistent with these magnetic properties. Electronic structure calculations supplemented by a crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis identifies the synergy between atomic sizes, from both Eu and Tt atoms, and the orbital contributions from Eu toward influencing the structural features of EuGaTt. A multicentered interaction between planes of Eu atoms and the [GaTt](2-) layers rather than through-space Ga-Ga bonding is seen in ELF distributions.     

Ternary arsenides A2Zn2As3 (A = Sr, Eu) and their stuffed derivatives A2Ag2ZnAs3

The ternary arsenides A(2)Zn(2)As(3) and the quaternary derivatives A(2)Ag(2)ZnAs(3) (A = Sr, Eu) have been prepared by stoichiometric reaction of the elements at 800 °C. Compounds A(2)Zn(2)As(3) crystallize with the monoclinic Ba(2)Cd(2)Sb(3)-type structure (Pearson symbol mC28, space group C2/m, Z = 4; a = 16.212(5) ?, b = 4.275(1) ?, c = 11.955(3) ?, β = 126.271(3)° for Sr(2)Zn(2)As(3); a = 16.032(4) ?, b = 4.255(1) ?, c = 11.871(3) ?, β = 126.525(3)° for Eu(2)Zn(2)As(3)) in which CaAl(2)Si(2)-type fragments, built up of edge-sharing Zn-centered tetrahedra, are interconnected by homoatomic As-As bonds to form anionic slabs [Zn(2)As(3)](4-) separated by A(2+) cations. Compounds A(2)Ag(2)ZnAs(3) crystallize with the monoclinic Yb(2)Zn(3)Ge(3)-type structure (Pearson symbol mC32, space group C2/m; a = 16.759(2) ?, b = 4.4689(5) ?, c = 12.202(1) ?, β = 127.058(1)° for Sr(2)Ag(2)ZnAs(3); a = 16.427(1) ?, b = 4.4721(3) ?, c = 11.9613(7) ?, β = 126.205(1)° for Eu(2)Ag(2)ZnAs(3)), which can be regarded as a stuffed derivative of the Ba(2)Cd(2)Sb(3)-type structure with additional transition-metal atoms in tetrahedral coordination inserted to link the anionic slabs together. The Ag and Zn atoms undergo disorder but with preferential occupancy over four sites centered in either tetrahedral or trigonal planar geometry. The site distribution of these metal atoms depends on a complex interplay of size and electronic factors. All compounds are Zintl phases. Band structure calculations predict that Sr(2)Zn(2)As(3) is a narrow band gap semiconductor and Sr(2)Ag(2)ZnAs(3) is a semimetal. Electrical resistivity measurements revealed band gaps of 0.04 eV for Sr(2)Zn(2)As(3) and 0.02 eV for Eu(2)Zn(2)As(3), the latter undergoing an apparent metal-to-semiconductor transition at 25 K.     

Crystal structure, electronic structure, and physical properties of Ti1-deltaMo1+deltaAs4 and Ti1-deltaMo1+deltaSb4

The new ternary pnictides, Ti(1-delta)Mo(1+delta)Pn4 (Pn = As, Sb), were uncovered during our search for novel thermoelectric materials. Both compounds crystallize in the OsGe2 type in the monoclinic space group C2/m, with lattice dimensions of a = 10.1222(9) A, b = 3.6080(3) A, c = 8.1884(8) A, beta = 120.230(2) degrees , and V = 258.38(7) A3 (Z = 2) for Ti(0.79(1))Mo(1.21)Sb4 and a = 9.1580(2) A, b = 3.3172(1) A, c = 7.6666(1) A, beta = 119.496(1) degrees , and V = 202.720(4) A3 (Z = 2) for Ti(0.86(2))Mo(1.14)As4. The electronic structure calculations predicted metallic behavior for these compounds, which was in agreement with the measured temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of ferrio-chloro-phosphanes, -arsanes and -stibanes [(CO)2(eta5-C5Me5)FePn(Cl)R] (Pn = P, As, Sb); R = tetramethylcyclopentadienyl, 2,7-di-tert-butylfluorenyl, 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9-trimethylsilylfluorenyl) as precursor to novel metallo-phosphaalkenes, -arsaalkenes, and -stibaalkenes

Reaction of one equivalent of the complexes [FeCp*(CO)2PnCl2] (Pn = P, As, Sb) with tetramethylcyclopentadienyllithium afforded compounds [FeCp*(CO)2[Pn(Cl)(C5Me4H)]]. Dehydrochlorination by means of tert-butyllithium led to decomposition. Only in the case of the phosphorus compound was evidence for the initial formation of a phosphaalkene given by 31P NMR spectroscopy. Similarly treatment of equimolar amounts of [FeCp*(CO)2PnCl2] with 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9-H-fluorenyllithium or 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9-trimethylsilylfluorenyllithium yielded the asymmetrically substituted ferriopnicogenanes [FeCp*(CO)2[Pn(Cl)-9-R-Fl*]] (Pn = P, As, Sb; R = H, Me3Si; Fl* = 2,7-di-tert-butylfluorenylidene). Dehydrohalogenation of [FeCp*(CO)2[Pn(Cl)-9-H-Fl*]] with lithium diisopropylamide resulted in the formation of the anticipated phosphaalkene [FeCp*(CO)2[P = Fl*]], whereas in the case of the arsenic and antimony derivatives the novel ferriopnicogenanes [FeCp*(CO)2[Pn(9-H-Fl*)2]] (Pn = As, Sb) were obtained as products. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and spectra (IR, 1H, 13C, 29Si, 31P NMR). The molecular structures of [FeCp*(CO)2[Pn(Cl)(C5Me4H]]] (Pn = As, Sb), [FeCp*(CO)2[As(Cl)(9-Me3Si-Fl*)]] and [FeCp*(CO)2[Sb(9-H-Fl*]2] were elucidated by single X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Preparation and characterization of arsine derivatives: X-ray crystal structures of As (SitBuMe2)3, As (SiMe3)2(SiPh3), Et3Ga · As(SiMe3)2(SiPh3), and As(SePh)3

As(Si¹BuMe₂)₃ (1) was prepared by the salt-elimination reaction between (Na/K)₃As and ¹BuMe₂SiCl. Mixing LiAs(SiMe₃)₂ with Ph₃SiCl (1:1) yielded As(SiMe₃)₂(SiPh₃) (2) in a good crystalline yield. Reaction of 2 (1:1) with Et₃Ga gave the expected Lewis acid-base adduct Et₃Ga · As(SiMe₃)₂(SiPh₃) (3). The 1:1 mole ratio reaction of In(SePh)₃ with As(SiMe₃)₃ resulted in a ligand redistribution around the indium and arsenic centers to afford As(SePh)₃ (4) in a low yield. The solid-state structures of 1–4 have been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Crystal data for 1, monoclinic space group P 2₁/c, with a = 11.112(2), b = 17.453(2), c = 14.199(2) Å, β = 114.89° for Z = 4; 2, orthorhombic space group P c2₁n, with a = 9.236(1), b = 16.612(2), c = 16.803(4) Å for Z = 4; 3, monoclinic space group P 2₁/c, with a = 16.799(1), b = 11.199(2), c = 19.413(3) Å, β = 112.22(1) for Z = 4; 4, trigonal space group R &3macr;, with a = 12.863(5), c = 18.96(1) Å for Z = 6. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dimers of heptapnictide anions: As14 4- and P14 4- in the crystal structures of [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3

Compounds [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 (1) and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3 (2) were prepared by the reaction of Rb4As6 with SbPh3 and 18-crown-6 and by the reduction of white phosphorus with elemental lithium in liquid ammonia, respectively. Both were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. They were found to contain the Ci symmetrical Pn14(4-) anion (Pn = P, As), which consists of two nortricyclane-like Pn7-cages connected by a single bond. Molecular complexes of [Rb(18-crown-6)(NH3)]2[Rb(18-crown-6)]2As14 are formed in 1, which are connected to fanfold sheets via N-H...O bonds. The anion is isolated in 2, and N-H...N bonds result in the formation of {[Li(NH3)4](mu-NH3)2[Li(NH3)4]}2+ cationic complexes.     

Structures involving unshared electron pair. The Crystal Structures of As(OCOCH3)3 and As2O(OCOCH3)4

As₂O(OCOCH₃)₄, reported now for the first time, was obtained, besides As(OCOCH₃)₃ by dissolving As₂O₃ in acetic anhydride. The crystals of As(OCOCH₃)₃ (A) (monoclinic, space group Cc, Z = 4, a = 9.970(2), b = 13.203(2), c = 8.272(1) Å, β = 117.01(2)°) and of As₂O(OCOCH₃)₄ (B) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 13.966(5), b = 8.127(4), c = 12.706(4) Å, β = 95.14(1)°) are built up from discrete molecules defined by chemical formulae As(OCOCH₃)₃ and (CH₃OCO)₂As? O? As(OCOCH₃)₂, respectively. The molecular structure of both compounds is based on the AsO₃ pyramid: in (A) with the As? O bonds of 1.841(6) Å and the O? As? O angle of 89.9(3)° as a mean, in (B) with slightly different values and with the As? O? As angle of 127.7(4)° at the bridging oxygen atom. The additional weak chelating contacts are at the distances As…O from 2.625(9) to 2.745(10) Å in (A) and from 2.72(1) to 2.84(2) in (B). The actual arsenic coordination can be described as very distorted octahedral in (A) and square-pyramidal in (B).     

Cs2Pd3(P2O7)2 and Cs2Pd3(As2O7)2: a 3D palladium phosphate with a tunnel structure and a 2D palladium arsenate containing strings of palladium atoms

Cs(2)Pd(3)(P(2)O(7))(2) (1) and Cs(2)Pd(3)(As(2)O(7))(2) (2) have been synthesized by molten flux reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of discrete Pd(II)O(4) squares which are linked by P(2)O(7) groups via corner-sharing to generate a 3D framework containing 12-ring channels in which Cs(+) cations are located. Compound 2 adopts a 2D layer structure with the interlayer space filled with Cs(+) cations. Within a layer there are PdO(4) squares and As(2)O(7) groups fused together via corner-sharing. Adjacent layers are stacked such that strings of Pd atoms are formed. The PdO(4) squares show eclipsed and staggered stacks with alternate short and long Pd...Pd distances. The two compounds adopt considerably different structures although they have the same general formula: Cs(2)Pd(3)(X(2)O(7))(2). Compound 2 is the first palladium arsenate reported. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Cmc2(1) (No. 36), a = 7.6061(4) A, b = 14.2820(7) A, c = 14.1840(7) A, and Z = 4. Crystal data for 2: tetragonal, space group P4/n (No. 85), a = 16.251(1) A, c = 5.9681(5) A, and Z = 4.     

RE(AuAl2)nAl2(AuxSi1-x)2: a new homologous series of quaternary intermetallics grown from aluminum flux

The combination of early rare earth metals (La- to Gd and Yb), gold, and silicon in molten aluminum results in the formation of intermetallic compounds with four related structures, forming a new homologous series: RE[AuAl2]nAl2(AuxSi(1-x))2, with x approximately 0.5 for most of the compound and n = 0, 1, 2, and 3. Because of the highly reducing nature of the Al flux, rare earth oxides instead of metals can also be used in these reactions. These compounds grow as large plate-like crystals and have tetragonal structure types that can be viewed as intergrowths of the BaAl4 structure and antifluorite-type AuAl2 layers. REAuAl2Si materials form with the BaAl4 structure type in space group I4/mmm (cell parameters for the La analogue are a = 4.322(2) A, c = 10.750(4) A, and Z = 2). REAu2Al4Si forms in a new ordered superstructure of the KCu4S3 structure type, with space group P4/nmm and cell parameters of the La analogue of a = 6.0973(6) A, c = 8.206(1) A, and Z = 2. REAu3Al6Si forms in a new I4/mmm symmetry structure type with cell parameters of a = 4.2733(7) A, c = 22.582(5) A, and Z = 2 for RE = Eu. The end member of the series, REAu4Al8Si, forms in space group P4/mmm with cell parameters for the Yb analogue of a = 4.2294(4) A, c = 14.422(2) A, and Z = 1. New intergrowth structures containing two different kinds of AuAl2 layers were also observed. The magnetic behavior of all these compounds is derived from the RE ions. Comparison of the susceptibility data for the europium compounds indicates a switch from 3-D magnetic interactions to 2-D interactions as the size of the AuAl2 layer increases. The Yb ions in YbAu(2.91)Al(6)Si(1.09) and YbAu(3.86)Al(8)Si(1.14) are divalent at high temperatures.     

Synthesis and characterization of the "metallic salts" A5Pn4 (A = K, Rb, Cs and Pn = As, Sb, Bi) with isolated zigzag tetramers of Pn4(4-) and an extra delocalized electron

The isostructural title compounds were prepared by direct reactions of the corresponding elements, and their structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the monoclinic space group C2/m, Z = 2 (K5As4, a = 11.592(2) A, b = 5.2114(5) A, c = 10.383(3) A, beta = 113.42(1) degrees; K5Sb4, a = 12.319(1) A, b = 5.4866(4) A, c = 11.258(1) A, beta = 112.27(7) degrees; Rb5Sb4, a = 12.7803(9) A, b = 5.7518(4) A, c = 11.6310(8) A, beta = 113.701(1) degrees; K5Bi4, a = 12.517(2) A, b = 5.541(1) A, c = 11.625(2) A, beta = 111.46(1) degrees; Rb5Bi4, a = 12.945(4) A, b = 5.7851(9) A, c = 12.018(5) A, beta = 112.78(3) degrees; Cs5Bi4, a = 12.887(3) A, b = 6.323(1) A, c = 12.636(1) A, beta = 122.94(2) degrees). The compounds contain isolated and flat zigzag tetramers of Pn4(4-) (Pnictide (Pn) = As, Sb, Bi) with a conjugated pi-electron system of delocalized electrons. All six compounds are metallic ("metallic salts") and show temperature-independent (Pauli-like) paramagnetism due to a delocalized electron from the extra alkali-metal cation in the formula. At low temperatures (around 9.5 K) and low magnetic fields the bismuthides become superconducting.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of （S）-Methyl 2-（4-R-phenylsulfonamido）-3-（1H-indol-3-yl）propanoate （R = H （1） and Cl （2））

The title compounds （S）-methyl-2-（4-R-phenylsulfonamido）-3-（1H-indol-3- yl）propanoate （R = H （1）, Cl （2）） have been synthesized and their crystal structures also have been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Compound 1 （C18H18N2O4S） belongs to orthorhombic, space group P212121 with a = 9.6348（14）, b = 11.1517（17）, c = 16.412（3） A, V = 1763.4（5） A^3, Mr = 358.40, Z = 4, De = 1.350 g/cm^3,/t = 0.209 mm^-1, F（000） = 752, R = 0.0348 and wR = 0.0714. Compound 2 （CI8H17ClN2O4S） crystallizes in orthorhombic, space group P212121 with a = 9.3128（14）, b = 10.9655（16）, c = 17.783（3） A, V = 1815.9（5） A^3, Mr = 392.85, Z = 4, De = 1.437 g/cm^3, p = 0.352 mm^-1, F（000） = 816, R = 0.0389 and wR = 0.0845. The absolute structure Flack parameters X of compounds 1 and 2 are -0.03（8） and -0.06（7）, respectively. X-ray analysis reveals that the crystal structures of these two compounds both involve two intermolecular N-H…O hydrogen bond＇s.     

Thiophosphate phase diagrams developed in conjunction with the synthesis of the new compounds KLaP(2)S(6), K(2)La(P(2)S(6))(1/2)(PS(4)), K(3)La(PS(4))(2), K(4)La(0.67)(PS(4))(2), K(9-)(x)La(1+x/3)(Ps(4))(4) (x = 0.5), K(4)Eu(PS(4))(2), and KEuPS(4)

An alkali-metal sulfur reactive flux has been used to synthesize a series of quaternary rare-earth metal compounds. These include KLaP(2)S(6) (I), K(2)La(P(2)S(6))(1/2)(PS(4)) (II), K(3)La(PS(4))(2) (III), K(4)La(0.67)(PS(4))(2) (IV), K(9-x)La(1+x/3)(PS(4))(4) (x = 0.5) (V), K(4)Eu(PS(4))(2) (VI), and KEuPS(4) (VII). Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with the cell parameters a = 11.963(12) A, b = 7.525(10) A, c = 11.389(14) A, beta = 109.88(4) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 9.066(6) A, b = 6.793(3) A, c = 20.112(7) A, beta = 97.54(3) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a= 9.141(2) A, b = 17.056(4) A, c = 9.470(2) A, beta = 90.29(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound IV crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibam with a = 18.202(2) A, b = 8.7596(7) A, c = 9.7699(8) A, and Z = 4. Compound V crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ccca with a = 17.529(9) A, b = 36.43(3) A, c = 9.782(4) A, and Z = 8. Compound VI crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibam with a = 18.29(5) A, b = 8.81(2) A, c= 9.741(10) A, and Z = 4. Compound VII crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 16.782(2) A, b = 6.6141(6) A, c = 6.5142(6) A, and Z = 4. The sulfur compounds are in most cases isostructural to their selenium counterparts. By controlling experimental conditions, these structures can be placed in quasi-quaternary phase diagrams, which show the reaction conditions necessary to obtain a particular thiophosphate anionic unit in the crystalline product. These structures have been characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance optical band gap analysis.     

Planar symmetry incompatibility in Ru-Sn-Zn pseudo-decagonal approximants composed of novel pentagonal antiprisms

Two new ternary compounds in the Ru-Sn-Zn system were synthesized by conventional high-temperature reactions, and their crystal structures were analyzed by means of the single crystal X-ray diffraction: Ru(2)Sn(2)Zn(3) (orthorhombic, Pnma, Pearson symbol oP28, a = 8.2219(16), b = 4.1925(8), c = 13.625(3) ?, V = 469.66(16) ?(3), Z = 4) and Ru(4.15)Sn(4.96)Zn(5.85) (orthorhombic, Pnma, Pearson symbol oP60-δ, a = 8.3394(17), b = 4.2914(9), c = 28.864(6) ?, V = 1032.98(40) ?(3), Z = 4). With the increase in the Sn content, the half-decagon structure unit with a triangle center in Ru(2)Sn(2)Zn(3) grows up to a symmetry incompatible decagonal unit with a central triangle in the common plane in Ru(4.15)Sn(4.96)Zn(5.85). Both structures can be described by hexagonal arrays of Sn-centered novel pentagonal antiprisms. In light of their pseudodecagonal diffraction in the h0l section and point group mmm, both phases are considered as new quasicrystal approximants in the Ru-Zn-Sn ternary system. The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity for both compounds exhibit metallic behavior, but their Seebeck coefficients are of opposite sign.     

Formation of nets of corner-shared bicapped gold squares in SrAu3Ge: how a BaAl4-type derivative reconciles fewer valence electrons and the origin of its uniaxial negative thermal expansion

SrAu(3)Ge was synthesized by direct fusion of the mixed elements at high temperature followed by annealing treatments, and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction means in space group (Pearson symbol: tP10) P4/nmm, a = 6.264(1) ?, c = 5.5082(9) ?, Z = 2 at room temperature. The structure of SrAu(3)Ge, a reapportioned √2 × √2 × 1 superstructure of CeMg(2)Si(2) (P4/mmm), exhibits checkerboard nets of corner-shared bicapped Au squares (or corner-shared Au(Au(4/2))Ge octahedra), in which the apical Au-Ge pairs in adjoining nets are strongly interbonded in the c direction. This motif contrasts with that of the common BaAl(4) (I4/mmm) prototype in which Al squares in comparable layers are alternately monocapped by Al from the top or the bottom. Typical examples show valence electron counts (vec) between 12 and 16 for the BaAl(4) type and that for CeMg(2)Si(2) is similar, 15. The special stability of SrAu3Ge, with vec = 9, derives from significant relativistic contribution of the Au 5d(10) states to the Au-Ge and Au-Au bonding. These factors are also recognized in the marked redistribution of Au and Ge site occupancies from those in CeMg(2)Si(2). SrAu(3)Ge exhibits a pronounced uniaxial negative thermal expansion along c, with a coefficient of -1.57 versus 2.16 × 10(-5) K(-1) in a and b. The reticulated Au(5)Ge octahedral layers expand in the ab plane on heating, whereas the strong, interlayer Au-Ge bonds remain fixed.     

Synthesis, structure, and infrared spectroscopy of the first Np5+ neptunyl silicates, Li6(NpO2)4(H2Si2O7)(HSiO4)2(H2O)4 and K3(NpO2)3(Si2O7)

Two Np(5+) silicates, Li(6)(NpO(2))(4)(H(2)Si(2)O(7))(HSiO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4) (LiNpSi1) and K(3)(NpO(2))(3)(SiO(3)OH)(2) (KNpSi1), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods. The crystal structures were determined using direct methods and refined on the basis of F(2) for all unique data collected with Mo Kalpha radation and an APEX II CCD detector. LiNpSi1 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pnma with a =13.189(6) A, b = 7.917(3) A, c = 10.708(5) A, V = 1118.1(8) A3, and Z = 2. KNpSi1 is hexagonal, P62m, a = 9.734(1) A, c = 3.8817(7) A, V = 318.50(8) A3, and Z = 1. LiNpSi1 contains chains of edge-sharing neptunyl pentagonal bipyramids linked into two-dimensional sheets through direct linkages between the neptunyl polyhedra and the vertex sharing of the silicate tetrahedra. The structure contains both sorosilicate and nesosilicate units, resulting in a new complex neptunyl silicate sheet. KNpSi1 contains edge-sharing neptunyl square bipyramids linked into a framework structure through the sharing of vertices with the silicate tetrahedra. The neptunyl silicate framework contains channels approximately 6.0 A in diameter. These structures exhibit significant departures from other reported Np(5+) and U(6+) compounds and represent the first reported Np(5+) silicate structures.     

Ternary arsenides a(2)zn(5)as(4) (a = k, rb): zintl phases built from stellae quadrangulae

Stoichiometric reaction of the elements at high temperature yields the ternary arsenides K(2)Zn(5)As(4) (650 °C) and Rb(2)Zn(5)As(4) (600 °C). They adopt a new structure type (Pearson symbol oC44, space group Cmcm, Z = 4; a = 11.5758(5) ?, b = 7.0476(3) ?, c = 11.6352(5) ? for K(2)Zn(5)As(4); a = 11.6649(5) ?, b = 7.0953(3) ?, c = 11.7585(5) ? for Rb(2)Zn(5)As(4)) with a complex three-dimensional framework of linked ZnAs(4) tetrahedra generating large channels that are occupied by the alkali-metal cations. An alternative and useful way of describing the structure is through the use of stellae quadrangulae each consisting of four ZnAs(4) tetrahedra capping an empty central tetrahedron. These compounds are Zintl phases; band structure calculations on K(2)Zn(5)As(4) and Rb(2)Zn(5)As(4) indicate semiconducting behavior with a direct band gap of 0.4 eV.