Synthesis and crystal structure of a new oxychalcogenide La5Ti∼3.25Zr∼0.25S5O9.25

A new phase in the quinary system La/Ti/Zr/S/O was obtained from a mixture of La₂O₃, La₂S₃, ZrO₂, and TiO₂ by a solid-state reaction at 1273 K in a sealed fused-silica tube. The structure of this new phase, La₅Ti_∼3.25Zr_∼0.25S₅O_9.25, was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, with R_(obs)=3.37% for 2764 reflections (I>3σ(I)) and 125 variables. This compound crystallizes with four formula units in the monoclinic space group C2/m with lattice constants , , , and β=106.100(8)°. The structure can be viewed as a 2D building constituted from two-atom-thick slabs of rock salt type (=sulfide part) which are interleaved with double-octahedral chains centered on titanium/zirconium atoms (mixed Ti/Zr sites) and drawing a zigzag arrangement (=oxide part). In addition, EDXS analyses show that a solid solution Ti/Zr exists with a general formulation La₅Ti_3.5−xZr_xS₅O_9.25 (where 0.1?x?0.5).     

Lanthanum pyrochlores and the effect of yttrium addition in the systems La2−xYxZr2O7 and La2−xYxHf2O7

The crystal structures of the compounds La_2−xY_xZr₂O₇ and La_2−xY_xHf₂O₇ with x=0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 have been studied using neutron powder diffraction and electron microscopy to determine the stability fields of the pyrochlore and fluorite solid solutions. The limits of pyrochlore stability in these solid solutions are found to be close to La_0.8Y_1.2Zr₂O₇ and La_0.4Y_1.6Hf₂O₇, respectively. In both systems the unit cell parameter is found to vary linearly with Y content across those compositions where the pyrochlore phase is stable, as does the x-coordinate of the oxygen atoms on the 48f (x,,) sites. In both systems, linear extrapolations of the pyrochlore data suggest that the disordering is accompanied by a small decrease in the lattice parameter of approximately 0.4%. After the pyrochlore solid solution limit is reached, a sharp change is observed from x∼0.41 to 0.375 as the disordered defect fluorite structure is favoured. Electron diffraction patterns illustrate that some short-range order remains in the disordered defect fluorite phases.     

O MAS NMR study of the oxygen local environments in the anionic conductors Y2(B1−xB′x)2O7(B, B′=Sn, Ti, Zr)

The local environments for oxygen in yttrium-containing pyrochlores and fluorites, Y₂(B_1−xB′_x)₂O₇ (B=Ti, B′=Sn, Zr) are investigated by using solid state ¹⁷O MAS NMR spectroscopy. The quadrupolar coupling constants of the nucleus, ¹⁷O are sufficiently small for these ionic oxides, that high-resolution spectra are obtained from the MAS spectra. Different oxygen NMR resonances are observed due to local environments with differing numbers of metal cations (Y³⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺), allowing the numbers of different local environments to be quantified and cation mixing to be investigated. Evidence for pyrochlore-like local ordering is detected for Y₂Zr₂O₇, which nominally adopts the fluorite structure.     

Non-centrosymmetric Ba3Ti3O6(BO3)2

The compound previously reported as Ba₂Ti₂B₂O₉ has been reformulated as Ba₃Ti₃B₂O₁₂, or Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂, a new barium titanium oxoborate. Small single crystals have been recovered from a melt with a composition of BaTiO₃:BaTiB₂O₆ (molar ratio) cooled between 1100°C and 850°C. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction: hexagonal system, non-centrosymmetric space group, a=8.7377(11) Å, c=3.9147(8) Å, Z=1, wR(F²)=0.039 for 504 unique reflections. Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is isostructural with K₃Ta₃O₆(BO₃)₂. Preliminary measurements of nonlinear optical properties on microcrystalline samples show that the second harmonic generation efficiency of Ba₃Ti₃O₆(BO₃)₂ is equal to 95% of that of LiNbO₃.     

X-ray powder diffraction studies and thermal behaviour of NaK2B9O15, Na(Na.17K.83)2B9O15, and (Na.80K.20)K2B9O15

The crystal structures of NaK₂B₉O₁₅ (, , , β=94.080(1)°, R_p=0.047, R_wp=0.059, R_B=0.026), Na(Na_.17K_.83)₂B₉O₁₅ (, , , β=94.228(2)°, R_p=0.053, R_wp=0.068, R_B=0.026), and (Na_.80K_.20)K₂B₉O₁₅ (, , , β=94.071(1)°, Z=4, R_p=0.041, R_wp=0.052, R_B=0.023) were refined in the monoclinic space groups P2₁/c(Z=4) using X-ray powder diffraction data and the Rietveld method. These nonaborates are isostructural to K₃B₉O₁₅. Their crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional open framework built up from three crystallographically independent triborate groups. The alkali metal cations are located on three different sites in the voids of the framework. High-temperature X-ray diffraction studies show that NaK₂B₉O₁₅ decomposes at about 700 °C in accordance with the peritectic reaction NaK₂B₉O₁₅↔K₅B₁₉O₃₁+liquid. The thermal expansion of NaK₂B₉O₁₅ and Na(Na_.17K_.83)₂B₉O₁₅ is highly anisotropic. A similarity of the thermal and compositional (Na-K substitution) deformations of NaK₂B₉O₁₅ is revealed: heating of NaK₂B₉O₁₅ by 1 °C leads to the same deformations of the crystal structure as increasing the amount of K atoms in (Na_1−xK_x)₃B₉O₁₅ by 0.04 at% K.     

New alkaline earth-zirconium oxalates M2Zr(C2O4)4·nH2O (M=Ba, Sr, Ca) synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior

Three new alkaline earth-zirconium oxalates M₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·nH₂O have been synthesized by precipitation methods for M=Ba, Sr, Ca. For each compound the crystal structure was determined from single crystals obtained by controlled diffusion of M²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ ions through silica gel containing oxalic acid. Ba₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·7H₂O, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=9.830(2), b=29.019(6), , , , Z=4, R=0.0427; Sr₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·11H₂O, tetragonal, space group I4₁/acd, a=16.139(4), , ,Z=8, R=0.0403; Ca₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·5H₂O, orthorhombic, space group Pna2₁, a=8.4181(5), b=15.8885(8), , , Z=4, R=0.0622. The structures of the three compounds consist of chains of edge-shared MO₆(H₂O)_x (x=2 or 3) polyhedra connected to ZrO₈ polyhedra through oxalate groups. Depending on the arrangement of chains, the ZrO₈ polyhedron geometry (dodecahedron or square antiprism) and the connectivity, two types of three-dimensional frameworks are obtained. For the smallest M²⁺ cations (Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺), large tunnels are obtained, running down the c direction of the unit cell, which can accommodate zeolitic water molecules. For the largest Ba²⁺ cation, the second framework is formed and is closely related to that of Pb₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·nH₂O. The decomposition at 800°C into strontium carbonate, barium carbonate or calcium oxide and MZrO₃ (M=Sr, Ba, Ca) perovskite is reported from thermal analyses studies and high temperature X-ray powder diffraction.     

[Zn2(HPO3)2(H2PO3)][C3H5N2] and [Zn2(HPO3)3][C4H7N2]2·2H2O: Two new layered zinc phosphites with double 12-membered rings templated by imidazole and 2-methylimidazole

Two new zinc phosphites [Zn₂(HPO₃)₂(H₂PO₃)][C₃H₅N₂] 1 and [Zn₂(HPO₃)₃][C₄H₇N₂]₂·2H₂O 2 have been hydrothermally synthesized templated by imidazole and 2-methylimidazole. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the two compounds have the similar inorganic framework structures, which both exhibit 2D double layer structures with double 12-membered rings. Due to the different space-filling effect of the guest molecules, the stacking mode of adjacent layers and the arrangement mode of the organic amines are distinct. In 1, the adjacent layers are stacked in an -ABAB- sequence and monoprotonated imidazole molecules sit in the middle of 12MR windows, while in 2, the layers are stacked in an -AAAA- pattern. Monoprotonated 2-methylimidazole molecules occupy two different sites, one inserts into 12MR and the other resides in the interlayer region. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, P-1, , , , α=114.71(3)°, β=92.78(3)°, γ=113.04(3)°, , Z=2; for 2: triclinic, P-1, , , , α=68.244(7)°, β=76.143(7)°, γ=63.113(6)°, , Z=2.     

[Bi6O4.5(OH)3.5]2(NO3)11: a new anhydrous bismuth basic nitrate. Synthesis and structure determination from twinned crystals

The bismuth basic nitrate [Bi₆O_4.5(OH)_3.5]₂(NO₃)₁₁ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with , , , β=107.329(17)° and . Its structure has been determined from , twinned crystal X-ray data (16 781 reflections, 683 parameters, R=0.0703). It is built upon [Bi₆O_x(OH)_8−x]^(10−x)+, x=4 and x=5 hexanuclear complexes and nitrate groups. The polycationic entities are linked to the nitrate anions either by hydrogen bonds or through bismuth-oxygen coordination. Even at , the [Bi₆O₄(OH)₄]⁶⁺ and [Bi₆O₅(OH)₃]⁵⁺ polycations could not be observed as such, the crystal structure refinement only detecting an average [Bi₆O_4.5(OH)_3.5]^5.5+ polycation. To prove the presence of both hexanuclear complexes in the structure, we report the existence of a correlation between the bismuth-linked oxygen bond-valence parameters and the presence, or not, of hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the Raman spectrum of the new anhydrous bismuth basic nitrate is compared to those of [Bi₆O₅(OH)₃](NO₃)₅·3H₂O, [Bi₆O₄(OH)₄](NO₃)₆·4H₂O, and two yet uncharacterized bismuth nitrates.     

The actual structure of K6(VO)2(V2O3)2(PO4)4(P2O7): Ordered distribution of P2O7 groups and charge ordering of vanadium

The actual structure of the vanadium phosphate K₆(VO)₂(V₂O₃)₂(PO₄)₄(P₂O₇) has been determined, using a much larger single crystal than previously used for the isostructural Rb-phase. The actual supercell is four times larger than the corresponding orthorhombic subcell with , , , α=β=γ=90°. The structure resolution, performed in the triclinic space group C-1, shows that the P₂O₇ groups alone are responsible for the superstructure, all the other atoms keeping the atomic positions of the orthorhombic subcell. This structural study shows a perfect ordering of the P₂O₇ groups in the actual structure, in contrast to the results obtained from the subcell. Concomitantly, the V⁴⁺ and V⁵⁺ are found to be ordered in the form of [110] stripes.     

A novel Mo(V) oligophosphate built up of di- and triphosphate groups: Cs(MoO)4(P2O7)2(P3O10)

A Mo(V) oligophosphate, built up of di and triphosphate groups, Cs(MoO)₄(P₂O₇)₂(P₃O₁₀) has been synthesized for the first time. This compound crystallizes in the triclinic P−1 space group with , , , α=94.534(6)°, β=102.520(6)°, γ=103.663(4)°. This original structure can be described by the association of MoO₆ octahedra, MoP₂O₁₁ units built up of one P₂O₇ group sharing two apices with the same MoO₆ octahedron, and triphosphates groups P₃O₁₀. The resulting tridimensional framework forms large S-shaped tunnels running along c where the Cs⁺ cations are located.     

Multianvil high-pressure/high-temperature preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new oxoborates Dy4B6O14(OH)2 and Ho4B6O14(OH)2

This paper reports about two new hydrogen-containing rare-earth oxoborates RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho) synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from the corresponding rare-earth oxides, boron oxide, and water using a Walker-type multianvil equipment at 8 GPa and 880 °C. The single crystal structure determination of Dy₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ showed: Pbcn, a=1292.7(2), b=437.1(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0190, and wR2=0.0349 (all data). The isotypic holmium species revealed: Pbcn, a=1292.8(2), b=436.2(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0206, and wR2=0.0406 (all data). The compounds exhibit a new type of structure, which is built up from layers of condensed BO₄-tetrahedra. Between the layers, the rare-earth cations are coordinated by 7+2 oxygen atoms. Furthermore, we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements, DTA/TG, and IR-spectroscopic investigations into RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho).     

Synthesis and structure of three manganese oxalates: MnC2O4·2H2O, [C4H8(NH2)2][Mn2(C2O4)3] and Mn2(C2O4)(OH)2

Three manganese oxalates have been hydrothermally synthesized, and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. MnC₂O₄·2H₂O (I) is orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, , , , , Z=4, final R, R_w=0.0832, 0.1017 for 561 observed data (I>3σ(I)). The one-dimensional structure consists of chains of oxalate-bridged manganese centers. [C₄H₈(NH₂)₂][Mn₂(C₂O₄)₃] (II) is triclinic, , , , , α=81.489(2)°, β=81.045(2)°, γ=86.076(2)°, , Z=1, final R, R_w=0.0467, 0.0596 for 1773 observed data (I > 3σ (I)). The three-dimensional framework is constructed from seven coordinate manganese and oxalate anions. The material contains extra-framework diprotonated piperazine cations. Mn₂(C₂O₄)(OH)₂ (III) is monoclinic, P2₁/c, , , , β=91.10(3)°, , Z=1, final R₁, wR2=0.0710, 0.1378 for 268 observed data (I>2σ (I)). The structure is also three dimensional, with layers of MnO₆ octahedra pillared by oxalate anions. The hydroxide group is found bonded to three manganese centers resulting in a four coordinate oxygen.     

Hexagonal perovskite-intergrowth manganates: Ln2Ca2MnO7 (Ln=La, Nd and Sm)

Two structures, all consisting of alternative stacking of hexagonal perovskite layer and graphite-like Ca₂O layer, were identified in Ln₂Ca₂MnO₇ systems (Ln=La, Nd and Sm). La₂Ca₂MnO₇ (1), crystallizing in the space group with the lattice constants a=5.62231(7)  Å and c=17.3192(4) Å, contains almost ideal close packed [LnO₃] arrays. While for the smaller rare earth cations, e.g., Nd₂Ca₂MnO₇ (2) and Sm₂Ca₂MnO₇ (3), the structure distorts to large unit cell (a′=2a and c′=c). Study of the substituted systems, LnLn′Ca₂MnO₇ (Ln or Ln′=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) and La_2−xSm_xCa₂MnO₇, shows a phase transformation from (1) to (2) at certain value of cation size. The MnO₆ octahedra in these compounds are isolated, thus the magnetic property is mainly paramagnetic.     

One-dimensional chains in uranyl tungstates: Syntheses and structures of A8[(UO2)4(WO4)4(WO5)2] (A=Rb, Cs) and Rb6[(UO2)2O(WO4)4]

Three new uranyl tungstates, A₈[(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂] (A=Rb (1), Cs (2)), and Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄] (3), were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions and their structures were solved by direct methods on twinned crystals, refined to R₁=0.050, 0.042, and 0.052 for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, monoclinic P2₁/n, (1): a=11.100(7), b=13.161(9), , β=90.033(13)°, , Z=8 and (2): , , , β=89.988(2)°, , Z=8. There are four symmetrically independent U⁶⁺ sites that form linear uranyl [O=U=O]²⁺ cations with rather distorted coordination in their equatorial planes. There are six W positions: W(1) and W(2) have square-pyramidal coordination (WO₅), whereas W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) are tetrahedrally coordinated. The structures are based upon a novel type of one-dimensional (1D) [(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂]⁴⁻ chains, consisting of WU₄O₂₅ pentamers linked by WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₅ square pyramids. The chains run parallel to the a-axis and are arranged in modulated pseudo-2D-layers parallel to (0 1 0). The A⁺ cations are in the interlayer space between adjacent pseudo-layers and provide a 3D integrity of the structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first uranyl tungstates with 2/3 of W atoms in tetrahedral coordination. Such a high concentration of low-coordinated W⁶⁺ cations is probably responsible for the 1D character of the uranyl tungstate units. The compound 3 is triclinic, P1¯ a=10.188(2), b=13.110(2), , α=97.853(3), β=96.573(3), γ=103.894(3)°, , Z=4. There are four U positions in the structure with a typical coordination of a pentagonal bipyramid that contain uranyl ions, UO₂²⁺, as apical axes. Among eight W sites, the W(1), W(2), W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas the W(7) and W(8) cations have distorted fivefold coordination. The structure contains chains of composition [(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄]⁶⁻ composed of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and W polyhedra. The chains involve dimers of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that share common O atoms. The dimers are linked into chains by sharing corners with WO₄ tetrahedra. The chains are parallel to [−101] and are arranged in layers that are parallel to (1 1 1). The Rb⁺ cations provide linkage of the chains into a 3D structure. The compound 1 has many structural and chemical similarities to its molybdate analog, Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄]. However, the compounds are not isostructural. Due to the tendency of the W⁶⁺ cations to have higher-than-fourfold coordination, part of the W sites adopt distorted fivefold coordination, whereas all Mo atoms in the Mo compound are tetrahedrally coordinated. Distribution of the WO₅ configurations along the chain extension does not conform to its ‘typical’ periodicity. As a result, both the chain identity period and the unit-cell volume are doubled in comparison to the Mo analog, which leads to a new structure type.     

Syntheses and structures of three new scandium selenites: Sc2(SeO3)3·H2O, Sc2 (SeO3)3·3H2O and CsSc3(SeO3)4 (HSeO3)2·2H2O

Three new hydrated scandium selenites have been hydrothermally synthesized as single crystals and structurally and physically characterized. Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·H₂O crystallizes as a new structure type containing novel ScO₇ pentagonal bipyramidal and ScO₆₊₁ capped octahedral coordination polyhedra. Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O contains typical ScO₆ octahedra and is isostructural with its M₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O (M=Al, Cr, Fe, Ga) congeners. CsSc₃(SeO₃)₄(HSeO₃)₂·2H₂O contains near-regular ScO₆ octahedra and has essentially the same structure as its indium-containing analogue. All three phases contain the expected pyramidal [SeO₃]^2- selenite groups. Crystal data: Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O, M_r=524.85, trigonal, R3c (No. 161), , , , Z=6, R(F)=0.018, wR(F²)=0.036; Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·H₂O, M_r=488.82, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁ (No. 19), , , , , Z=4, R(F)=0.051, wR(F²)=0.086; CsSc₃(SeO₃)₄(HSeO₃)₂·2H₂O, M_r=1067.60, orthorhombic, Pnma (No. 62), , , , , Z=4, R(F)=0.035, wR(F²)=0.070.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the layered uranyl tellurites A2[(UO2)3(TeO3)2O2] (A=K, Rb, Cs)

The reactions of UO₃ and TeO₃ with KCl, RbCl, or CsCl at 800 °C for 5 d yield single crystals of A₂[(UO₂)₃(TeO₃)₂O₂] (A=K (1), Rb (2), and Cs (3)). These compounds are isostructural with one another, and their structures consist of two-dimensional sheets arranged in a stair-like topology separated by alkali metal cations. These sheets are comprised of zigzagging uranium(VI) oxide chains bridged by corner-sharing trigonal pyramidal TeO₃²⁻ anions. The chains are composed of dimeric, edge-sharing, pentagonal bipyramidal UO₇ moieties joined by edge-sharing tetragonal bipyramidal UO₆ units. The lone-pair of electrons from the TeO₃ groups are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another on each side of the sheets rendering each individual sheet non-polar. The alkali metal cations form contacts with nearby tellurite oxygen atoms as well as with oxygen atoms from the uranyl moieties. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, ): 1, triclinic, space group , , , , α=101.852(1)°, β=102.974(1)°, γ=100.081(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.70% for 98 parameters and 1697 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , , , α=105.590(2)°, β=101.760(2)°, γ=99.456(2)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.36% for 98 parameters and 1817 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, triclinic, space group , , , , α=109.301(1)°, β=100.573(1)°, γ=99.504(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.61% for 98 parameters and 1965 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

An investigation of the Nd2O3-MoO3 phase system: Thermal decomposition of Nd2Mo4O15 and formation of Nd6Mo10O39

A new neodymium molybdate, Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉, has been identified in the Nd₂O₃-MoO₃ phase system. Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ appears to be a metastable phase, which does not form directly from a stoichiometric mixture of Nd₂O₃ and MoO₃ oxides. Instead, it can be obtained by thermal decomposition of Nd₂Mo₄O₁₅. Nd₂Mo₄O₁₅ usually decomposes into Nd₂(MoO₄)₃, and the formation of Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ critically depends on the heating regime used.The structure of Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with unit cell parameters of , , , β=100.767(2)°, at 120 K. Nd atoms are seven and eight coordinate, and pairs of coordination polyhedra share edges and faces, respectively, to form Nd₂O₁₂ and Nd₂O₁₃ groups. All Mo atoms are in tetrahedral coordination environments, with some of the tetrahedra sharing corners to form pyromolybdate groups.     

Some A6B5O18 cation-deficient perovskites in the BaO-La2O3-TiO2-Nb2O5 system

Some dielectric oxides have been synthesized and characterized in the BaO-La₂O₃-TiO₂-Nb₂O₅ system. Through Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data, Ba₅LaTi₂Nb₃O₁₈ and Ba₄La₂Ti₃Nb₂O₁₈ are identified as the A_nB_n−1O_3n (n=6) type cation-deficient perovskites with space group and lattice constants , and for Ba₅LaTi₂Nb₃O₁₈; , and for Ba₄La₂Ti₃Nb₂O₁₈, respectively. Their ceramics exhibit high dielectric constant up to 57 and high quality factors (Qf) up to 21,273 GHz. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of these ceramics is decreased with the increase of B-site bond valence.     

Synthesis and structural study of stoichiometric Bi2Ti2O7 pyrochlore

Bi₂Ti₂O₇ has been synthesized using a co-precipitation route from H₂O₂/NH_3(aq) solutions of titanium with aqueous bismuth nitrate. The stoichiometric material crystallizes into a pale yellow cubic pyrochlore phase. A powder X-ray diffraction study showed this crystallization to be very temperature sensitive, the pure phase can only be obtained within a few degrees of 470°C. Time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction studies of Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Space group , a=10.37949(4) Å at ambient temperature, Z=8, R_p=3.95%, R_wp=4.75%) revealed positional disorder in the bismuth site and in the O′ oxide site both at ambient temperature and at 2 K.