Dehydration of the Sorel Cement Phase 3Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O studied by in situ Synchrotron X‐ray Powder Diffraction and Thermal Analyses

Dehydration is an important process which affects the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of materials. This article describes the thermal dehydration and decomposition of the Sorel cement phase 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 8H₂O, studied by in situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and thermal analyses. Attention is paid on the determination of the chemical composition and crystal structure of the lower hydrates, identified as the phases 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 5.4H₂O and 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 4.6H₂O. The crystal structure of 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 4.6H₂O is solved and refined by the Rietveld method and a structural model for the 3Mg(OH)₂ · MgCl₂ · 5.4H₂O phase is given. These phases show statistical distribution of water molecules, hydroxide and chloride anions positioned as ligands on the magnesium octahedra. A structural scheme of the temperature induced transformations in the thermal range from 25 to 500 °C is presented.     

Thermally Triggered Solid‐State Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Structural Transformation Accompanies Property Changes

The 1D complex [(CuL_0.5H₂O) ? H₂O]_n ( 1 ) (H₄L=2,2′‐bipyridine‐3,3′,6,6′‐tetracarboxylic acid) undergoes an irreversible thermally triggered single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation to produce the 3D anhydrous complex [CuL_0.5]_n ( 2 ). This SCSC structural transformation was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction (VT–PXRD) patterns, and IR spectroscopy. Structural analyses reveal that in complex 2 , though the initial 1D chain is still retained as in complex 1 , accompanied with the Cu‐bound H₂O removed and new O(carboxyl)?Cu bond forming, the coordination geometries around the Cu^II ions vary from a distorted trigonal bipyramid to a distorted square pyramid. With the drastic structural transition, significant property changes are observed. Magnetic analyses show prominent changes from antiferromagnetism to weak ferromagnetism due to the new formed Cu1‐O‐C‐O‐Cu4 bridge. The catalytic results demonstrate that, even though both solid‐state materials present high catalytic activity for the synthesis of 2‐imidazolines derivatives and can be reused, the activation temperature of complex 1 is higher than that of complex 2 . In addition, a possible pathway for the SCSC structural transformations is proposed.     

Lithium carnallite,LiCl·MgCl2·7H2O

The title compound, lithium magnesium chloride heptahydrate, LiCl·MgCl₂·7H₂O, was analyzed in 1988 by powder X‐ray diffraction [Emons, Brand, Pohl & Köhnke (1988). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 563 , 180–184] and a monoclinic crystal lattice was determined. In the present work, the structure was solved from single‐crystal diffraction data. A trigonal structure was found, exhibiting a network structure of Mg(H₂O)₆ octahedra and Li(H₂O)Cl₃ tetrahedra connected by H...Cl hydrogen bonds. The [Li(H₂O)]⁺ unit is coordinated by distorted edge‐connected Cl⁻ octahedra.     

A 3D Metal‐organic Framework Containing [Cd(3‐CPOA)]n (3‐CPOA2– = 3‐Carboxyphenoxyacetato Dianion) Expanded by 4,4′‐Bipyridine

The hydrothermal reaction of Cd(NO₃) · 4H₂O with 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy) and 3‐carboxyphenoxyacetatic acid (3‐H₂CPOA) afforded a 3D metal‐organic framework (MOF) [Cd(3‐CPOA)(bipy)]_n · 3.5nH₂O, which was characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and X‐ray diffraction. The single‐crystal structural analysis revealed that it has a Cds‐type topological network with 1D channels that contain encapsulated water molecular tapes.     

Single‐Crystal X‐Ray Diffraction Study of Pressure and Temperature‐Induced Spin Trapping in a Bistable Iron(II) Hofmann Framework

High‐pressure single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction has been used to trap both the low‐spin (LS) and high‐spin (HS) states of the iron(II) Hofmann spin crossover framework, [Fe^II(pdm)(H₂O)[Ag(CN)₂]₂?H₂O, under identical experimental conditions, allowing the structural changes arising from the spin‐transition to be deconvoluted from previously reported thermal effects.     

Polymeric potassium di­aqua­hexa‐μ‐cyano‐holmium(III)­ruthenium(II) dihydrate

The crystal structure of the title bimetallic cyanide‐bridged complex, {K[HoRu(CN)₆(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, was determined by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The coordination about the central holmium(III) ion is eightfold in a square‐antiprismatic arrangement, while the ruthenium(II) ion is octahedrally coordinated. Channels permeating the crystal lattice contain the potassium cations and two zeolitic water mol­ecules. The Ho^III and K atoms lie at sites with mm symmetry and the Ru atom is at a site with 2/m symmetry.     

Mononuclear Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzamido)‐N'‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide: Structural insight and biological assay

A series of mononuclear metal complexes of Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with 2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzamido)‐N′‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide ( LH ₃ ) have been synthesized and characterized using various physico‐chemical, spectroscopic and single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. Structural studies of [Co( LH )( LH ₂ )]·H₂O ( 4 ) revealed the presence of both amido and imidol tautomeric forms of LH ₃ , resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry around the Co(III) ion. [Ni( LH )(H₂O)]·H₂O ( 5 ) and [Cu( LH )(H₂O)]·H₂O ( 6 ) are isomorphous structures and crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group. The crystal structures of 4 , 5 and 6 are stabilized by hydrogen bonds formed by the enclathrated water molecules, C‐H···π and π···π interactions. Complexes along with the ligand ( LH ₃ ) were screened for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity (carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method) and in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH free radical scavenging assay). Metal complexes have shown significant anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potential.     

Adsorption behaviour of a CdII–triazole MOF for butan‐2‐one in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion: the role of hydrogen bonding and C—H…π interactions

The adsorption behaviour of the Cd^II–MOF {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)₂]·H₂O ( 1 ), where L is 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole, for butan‐2‐one was investigated in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion. A new host–guest system that encapsulated butan‐2‐one molecules, namely poly[[bis{μ₃‐4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}cadmium(II)] bis(perchlorate) butanone sesquisolvate], {[Cd(C₂₄H₁₈N₆)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.5C₄H₈O}_n, denoted C₄H₈O@Cd‐MOF ( 2 ), was obtained via an SCSC transformation. MOF 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2. The specific binding sites for butan‐2‐one in the host were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. N—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and C—H…π interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules co‐operatively bind 1.5 butan‐2‐one molecules within the channels. The adsorption behaviour was further evidenced by ¹H NMR, IR, TGA and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments, which are consistent with the single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. A ¹H NMR experiment demonstrates that the supramolecular interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules in MOF 2 lead to a high butan‐2‐one uptake in the channel.     

Coordination Frameworks based on 3,5‐Bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)­pyridine and Aromatic Dicarboxylate Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Photoluminescent Properties

Three metal coordination polymers [Zn(bdc)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), [Co(pta)(L)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ), and [Cd(tda)(L)(H₂O)]_n ( 3 ) [H₂bdc = 1,2‐benzene dicarboxylate acid, H₂pta = terephthalic acid, H₂tda = 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid, L = 3,5‐bis(imidazole‐1‐yl)pyridine] were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 shows a three‐dimensional (3D) structure with cco topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8, whereas complex 2 features a 3D structure with cds topology with the symbol 6⁵ · 8. Complex 3 has a 2D network constructed by the cadmium atoms bridged through the ligands tda and L. Their X‐ray powder diffraction patterns were compared with the simulated ones. Moreover, their luminescent properties were investigated in the solid state at room temperature, and the thermogravimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal stability of the 3D networks.     

Two New Solvent‐modulated Zinc(II) Metal‐Organic Hybrid Materials based on Rigid Tripodal Carboxylate Ligand and 2,2′‐Bipy Co‐ligand: Crystal Structures and Luminescent Properties

The zinc(II) coordination polymers [Zn(Htatb)(2,2′‐bipy) · (NMP) · H₂O] ( 1 ) and [Zn₃(tatb)₂(2,2′‐bipy)₃ · H₂O] ( 2 ) (H₃tatb = 4,4′,4′′‐s‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl‐tribenzoic acid; 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridyl, NMP = N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidon), were synthesized hydrothermally, and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Both compounds 1 and 2 possess expectant low dimensional coordination structures, which further connected into interesting 3D networks by hydrogen bond and strong π–π interactions. Moreover, the thermal stabilities and fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.     

A 3D Nickel(II) Coordination Polymer with cds Nets Constructed from 3‐Pyridin‐4‐yl‐benzoic Acid

A new coordination polymer, [Ni(3,4‐pybz)₂(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), was hydrothermally synthesized from Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and an unsymmetrical 3‐pyridin‐4‐yl‐benzoic acid (3,4‐Hpybz). It was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In complex 1 , the 3,4‐pybz ligands act as linear linkers to join 4‐connected nickel(II) ion nodes, to build a 3D 4‐connected twofold interpenetrated 6⁵8‐cds coordination framework. In addition, the magnetic and thermal properties of complex 1 were also investigated.     

Preparation,Structure, and Second‐order Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Borate‐Carboxylic Acid Compound: NH4B[d‐(+)‐C4H4O5]2·H2O

The organic‐inorganic hybrid nonlinear optical (NLO) material NH₄B(d‐ (+)‐C₄H₄O₅)₂ · H₂O (NBC) was synthesized in a borate‐carboxylic acid system. Its structure was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2₁ (No. 33), with cell parameters a = 11.484(6) Å, b = 5.354(3) Å, c = 21.079(12) Å, V = 1296.0(12), Z = 4. It exhibits a three‐dimensional pseudo tunnel structure consisting of fundamental building block [B(d‐ (+)‐C₄H₄O₅)₂]^– anions. The small cavities are occupied by the H₂O molecules and NH₄⁺ cations, which stabilize the whole structure by O–H ··· O and N–H ··· O hydrogen bonds. The powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) of the crystal was also recorded. Elemental analyses, FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra analyses, thermal analysis, and diffuse‐reflectance spectra for the compound are also presented, as are band structures and density of states calculation. Nonlinear optical measurements indicate that the material has second harmonic generation (SHG) properties and is phase‐matchable.     

Crystal structure and characterization of magnesium carbonate chloride heptahydrate

MgCO₃·MgCl₂·7H₂O is the only known neutral magnesium carbonate containing chloride ions at ambient conditions. According to the literature, only small and twinned crystals of this double salt could be synthesised in a concentrated solution of MgCl₂. For the crystal structure solution, single‐crystal diffraction was carried out at a synchrotron radiation source. The monoclinic crystal structure (space group Cc) exhibits double chains of MgO octahedra linked by corners, connected by carbonate units and water molecules. The chloride ions are positioned between these double chains parallel to the (100) plane. Dry MgCO₃·MgCl₂·7H₂O decomposes in the air to chlorartinite, Mg₂(OH)Cl(CO₃)·nH₂O (n = 2 or 3). This work includes an extensive characterization of the title compound by powder X‐ray diffraction, thermal analysis, SEM and vibrational spectroscopy.     

Co‐crystals based on 1,2,4,5‐Benzenetetracarboxylic Acid: Synthesis,Supramolecular Frameworks and Optical Properties

Two new co‐crystals based on 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid, (H₂BETC)(H₄tpim)](NO₃) ( 1 ) and [(H₄BETC)_0.5(H₂BETC)_0.5(HVB4)](H₂O) ( 2 ) [H₄BETC = 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid, Htpim = 2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole, and VB4 = adenine], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray powder diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were further assembled to form 3D supramolecular frameworks with 1D channels by intermolecular C–H ··· O, O–H ··· O, and N–H ··· O hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The results reveal that the structural differences of 1 and 2 may be attributed to different molecular components. Moreover, the UV/Vis and luminescent spectra of ligands and corresponding compounds were briefly investigated.     

Pressure‐induced Oxidation State Change of Ytterbium in YbGa2

The crystal structure and the electronic properties of YbGa₂ realising a CaIn₂ type atomic arrangement were characterised at ambient conditions using single crystal X‐ray diffraction data and magnetic susceptibility measurements at ambient pressure. Pressure‐induced changes of structural and electronic properties of YbGa₂ were measured by means of angle‐dispersive X‐ray powder diffraction and XANES at the Yb L_III threshold. At pressures above 22(2) GPa, YbGa₂ undergoes a structural phase transition into a high pressure modification with a UHg₂ type crystal structure. Parallel to the pressure‐induced structural alterations, ytterbium in YbGa₂ undergoes an increase of the oxidation state from +2 at ambient conditions to +3 in the high‐pressure phase. Quantum chemical calculations of the Electron‐Localisation‐Function confirm that the phase transition is associated with a conversion of the three‐dimensional gallium network of the low‐pressure crystal structure into two‐dimensional gallium layers in the high‐pressure modification.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties of Two Cobalt Coordination Polymers Constructed From 1,3‐Bis(2,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) Benzene and Bis(imidazole) Linkers

Abstract. The 3D cobalt(II) coordination polymers [Co_1.5(HDDB)(1,4‐bib)_1.5(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), and {[Co₂(DDB)(1,3‐bib)₂(μ₂‐H₂O)] · H₂O}_n ( 2 ) were assembled by mixed‐ligand synthetic strategy [H₄DDB = 1,3‐bis(2,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) benzene, 1,3‐bib = 1,3‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene, and 1,4‐bib = 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene]. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses (EA), IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. Single X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 is an interestingly 3D (3,3.6)‐connected (6³)₄(6⁵ · 8⁸ · 10²) net, and complex 2 is an unprecedented dinuclear [Co₂(COO)(μ₂‐H₂O)] SBUs based 3D (3,6)‐connected (3 · 6 · 7)(3² · 4³ · 5⁴ · 6³ · 7 · 8²) net. Additionally, the magnetic properties of 2 were investigated.     

A Co‐MOF with a (4,4)‐connected binodal two‐dimensional topology: synthesis,structure and photocatalytic properties

The Co‐MOF poly[[diaqua{μ₄‐1,1,2,2‐tetrakis[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]ethylene‐κ⁴N:N′:N′′:N′′′}cobalt(II)] benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate], {[Co(C₃₄H₂₄N₁₂)(H₂O)₂](C₈H₄O₄)·C₈H₆O₄}_n or {[Co(ttpe)(H₂O)₂](bdc)·(1,4‐H₂bdc)}_n, (I), was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]ethylene (ttpe), benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (1,4‐H₂bdc) and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), luminescence, optical band gap and valence band X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VB XPS). Co‐MOF (I) shows a (4,4)‐connected binodal two‐dimensional topology with a point symbol of {4⁴·6²}{4⁴·6²}. The two‐dimensional networks capture free neutral 1,4‐H₂bdc molecules and bdc^2? anions, and construct a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen‐bond interactions. MOF (I) is a good photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B under visible‐light irradiation and can be reused at least five times.     

Four Complexes with the Rigid Ligand 1,4‐Bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene and Varied Carboxylate Ligands

Four metal‐organic coordination polymers [Co₂(L)₃(nipa)₂]·6H₂O ( 1 ), [Cd(L)(nipa)]·3H₂O ( 2 ), [Co(L) (Hoxba)₂] ( 3 ) and [Ni₂(L)₂(oxba)₂(H₂O)]·1.5L·3H₂O ( 4 ) were synthesized by reactions of the corresponding metal(II) salts with the rigid ligand 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene (L) and different derivatives of 5‐nitroisophthalic acid (H₂nipa) and 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (H₂oxba), respectively. The structures of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 3 have the same one‐dimensional (1D) chain while 2 is a 6‐connected twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) network with α ‐Po 4¹²·6³ topology based on the binuclear Cd^II subunits. Compound 4 features a puckered two‐dimensional (2D) (4,4) network, and the large voids of the packing 2D nets have accommodated the uncoordinated L guest molecules. An abundant of N–H···O, O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions exist in complexes 1–4 , which contributes to stabilize the crystal structure and extend the low‐dimensional entities into high‐dimensional frameworks. Lastly, the photoluminiscent properties of compounds 2 were also investigated.     

A two‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer based on 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) and 4,4′‐bipyridine

The reaction of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O with 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) and 4,4′‐bipyridine under hydrothermal conditions produced a new mixed‐ligand two‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer, namely poly[[(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N ,N ′)[μ‐2,4′‐oxybis(benzoato)‐κ⁴O ²,O ^2′:O ⁴,O ^4′]copper(II)] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₁₄H₈O₅)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]·H₂O}_n , which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray diffraction crystal structure analysis reveals that the Cu^II ions are connected to form a two‐dimensional wave‐like network through 4,4′‐bipyridine and 2,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) ligands. The two‐dimensional layers are expanded into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure through intermolecular O—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the complex shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent Cu^II ions.     

Cube‐like 12‐MC‐4 and Offset Stacked 10‐MC‐3 Metallacrowns: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Two complexes [Mn^III₄(naphthsao)₄(naphthsaoH)₄] ( 1 ) and [Fe^III₆O₂(naphthsao)₄(O₂CPh)₆] ( 2 ) [naphthsao = 1‐(1‐hydroxy‐naphthalen‐2‐yl)ethanone oxime] were obtained through the reactions of naphthsao ligand and MnCl₂ · 4H₂O or FeCl₃ · 6H₂O in the presence of triethylamine (Et₃N). Their structures were determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, and IR spectra. Complex 1 displays 12‐MC‐4 metallacrown structural type with cube‐like configuration and 2 shows an offset stacked 10‐MC‐3 structural type with the ring connectivity containing Fe–O–C–O–Fe–O–N–Fe–O–N. Magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals the ferromagnetic interactions and field‐induced slow relaxation of the magnetization for 1 , whereas out‐of‐phase signal is not observed for 2 .