Synthesis, structure, and properties of four ternary compounds: CaSrTt, Tt=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb

The title compounds were synthesized and characterized by structural measurements and electronic structure calculations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses established that they all have the orthorhombic inverse-PbCl₂-type structure (Pnma, Z=4, a=8.108(2), 8.124(2), 8.421(2), 8.509(2) Å; b=4.944(1), 4.949(1), 5.168(1), 5.189(1) Å; c=9.170(2), 9.184(2), 9.685(2), 9.740(2) Å, respectively). The tetrel (Tt) atoms are situated in tricapped trigonal prisms of ordered Sr and Ca atoms in which the smaller Ca atoms play a distinctive role. The structure is distinguishable from the Co₂Si type by its more nearly ideal 6+3 (TCTP) environment about Tt rather than a higher coordination by cations. Other representations of the two structural types are also considered. Electronic band structure calculations suggest that the compounds are semiconductors, in agreement with literature data on their Ae₂Tt analogues.     

Order-to-disorder phase transformation in ion irradiated uranium-bearing delta-phase oxides RE6U1O12 (RE=Y, Gd, Ho, Yb, and Lu)

Polycrystalline uranium-bearing compounds Y₆U₁O₁₂, Gd₆U₁O₁₂, Ho₆U₁O₁₂, Yb₆U₁O₁₂, and Lu₆U₁O₁₂ samples were irradiated with various ions species (300 keV Kr⁺⁺, 400 keV Ne⁺⁺, and 100 keV He⁺) at cryogenic temperature (∼100 K), and the microstructures were examined following irradiation using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The pristine samples are characterized by an ordered, fluorite derivative structure, known as the delta phase. This structure possesses rhombohedral symmetry. Amorphization was not observed in any of the irradiated samples, even at the highest dose ∼65 dpa (displacement per atom). On the other hand, some of these compounds experienced an order-to-disorder (O-D) phase transformation, from an ordered rhombohedral to a disordered fluorite structure, at ion doses between 2.5 and 65 dpa, depending on ion irradiation species. Factors influencing the irradiation-induced O-D transformation tendencies of these compounds are discussed in terms of density functional theory calculations of the O-D transformation energies.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of M11X10 Compounds, M=Sr, Ba and X=Bi, Sb. Electronic Requirements and Chemical Bonding

The intermetallic compounds Sr₁₁Bi₁₀, Ba₁₁Bi₁₀, and (Sr₅Ba₆)Sb₁₀ have been obtained from melts of mixtures of the elements. They crystallize in the tetragonal system, space group I4/mmm, Ho₁₁Ge₁₀ structure type, tI84 Pearson symbol, Z=4, with cell parameters a=12.765(3), 13.230(3), 12.748(2) Å and c=18.407(3), 19.365(3), 18.761(2) Å, respectively. The structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray data and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R1=6.71, 5.44, and 5.73%. The structure of M₁₁X₁₀ contains three discrete anionic moieties: square rings X⁴⁻₄, dumbbells X⁴⁻₂, and isolated X³⁻. Using formal charges the unit cell of M₁₁X₁₀ may be described as containing 44 M²⁺, 2X⁴⁻₄, 8X⁴⁻₂, and 16X³⁻ ions. This structure is discussed in comparison with other Bi or Sb pnictide compounds. Bonding is analyzed therein using molecular orbital (EHMO) calculations for the anions (dumbbell and square units) and also the periodic tight-binding method. Lone pair repulsions inside and between the anionic units are evidenced; they are compensated by strong bonding cation-to-anion interactions. Interatomic distances along the series appear to be more dependent on packing than on electronic effects.     

Synthesis and structure of the ternary and quaternary strontium nitride halides, Sr2N(X, X′) (X, X′=Cl, Br, I)

A number of new, layered nitride mixed halides have been synthesised in the quaternary phase systems Sr-N-Cl-Br and Sr-N-Br-I. The variation in structure with composition has been investigated by powder X-ray and powder neutron diffraction techniques and the structure of strontium nitride iodide, Sr₂NI, has been determined for the first time (rhombohedral space group R-3m, , , Z=3). A continuous solid solution exists between Sr₂NCl and Sr₂NBr with intermediate compounds adopting the same anti-α-NaFeO₂ structure (rhombohedral space group R-3m) as the ternary end members. A similar smooth and linear relationship between structure and composition is seen from Sr₂NBr to Sr₂NI and hence cubic close packing of metal-nitrogen layers is adopted regardless of halide, X (X′). While nitride and halide anions occupy distinct crystallographic sites, there is no ordering of the halides in the quaternary materials irrespective of stoichiometry or temperature (between 3 and 673 K).     

LiLa6I12Os, a substitutional derivative of rhombohedral La(La6I12Os)

The series of quaternary rare-earth-metal halide cluster compounds ALa₆I₁₂Z with transition metal interstitials Z and alkali or alkaline-earth metal cations A has been expanded to include A=Li. The compounds synthesized by high-temperature solid-state techniques for Z=Os, Ir, Pt, Ru are isotypic with rhombohedral R₇X₁₂Z (, Z=3). The refined single X-ray crystal structure of (Li_0.967La_0.033)La₆I₁₂Os is reported, along with supportive results from a Rietveld analysis of neutron powder diffraction from a different sample, ⁷Li MAS-NMR, and electronic resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The samples show continuous Li_1−xLa_x cation compositions and are generally semiconductors, but their complex paramagnetic properties are not those of simple spin-only systems.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of CaCuGe,CaAuIn, and CaAuSn – Three Different Superstructures of the KHg2 Type

The intermetallic compounds CaCuGe, CaAuIn, and CaAuSn can be prepared from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes or in glassy carbon crucibles in a high-frequency furnace. Their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray data. The three compounds crystallize with the same subcell structure (KHg₂), however, they form three clearly perceptible superstructures with different unit cells, but all in space groups Pnma: a = 2124.9(6) pm, b = 436.0(2) pm, c = 749.4(5) pm, Z = 12, wR2 = 0.0789, 1303 F² values, 56 variables for CaCuGe (own structure type), a = 738.2(1) pm, b = 459.4(1) pm, c = 839.4(2) pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0651, 656 F² values, 20 variables for CaAuIn (TiNiSi type), a = 3690.3(3) pm, b = 470.5(1) pm, c = 813.6(2) pm, Z = 20, wR2 = 0.1294, 1730 F² values, 92 variables for CaAuSn (new structure type). The three structures may be considered as superstructures of the KHg₂ type with an ordered arrangement of the transition metal and germanium (indium, tin) atoms on the mercury position. Each calcium atom in the structures of CaCuGe, CaAuIn, and CaAuSn has an distinctly ordered near-neighbor environment of six transition metal (T) and six p element (X) atoms in the form of two counter-tilted T₃X₃ hexagons. All known superstructures of the KHg₂ type are described in terms of a group-subgroup scheme.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of ALnO2 (A=Cu or Ag; Ln=rare earths) with the delafossite structure

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of ternary rare earth oxides ALnO₂ (A=Cu or Ag; Ln=rare earths) have been investigated. CuLnO₂ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) were synthesized by the direct solid state reaction of Cu₂O and Ln₂O₃, and AgLnO₂ (Ln=Tm, Yb, Lu) were obtained by the cation-exchange reaction of NaLnO₂ and AgNO₃ in a KNO₃ flux. These compounds crystallized in the delafossite-type structure with the rhombohedral 3R type (space group: R-3m). Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that these compounds are paramagnetic down to 1.8 K. Specific heat measurements down to 0.4 K indicated that CuNdO₂ ordered antiferromagnetically at 0.8 K.     

Sn/Sb atom ordering in the ternary stannide-antimonide TiSnSb

TiSnSb was prepared by reacting the elements Ti and Sb in an Sn flux at 500°C. Alternatively, TiSnSb can be synthesized from the elements in the stoichiometric 1:1:1 ratio at 850°C. According to our single crystal data, TiSnSb forms the Mg₂Cu type, orthorhombic space group Fddd, with a=5.4892(7), b=9.845(1), and c=19.151(3) Å (Z=16). As evident from both our structure refinements and our electronic structure calculations, the two crystallographically independent positions of the Mg atoms in the Mg₂Cu type are not statistically occupied by the Sn and Sb atoms in the TiSnSb structure. Structural and electronic similarities to and differences from TiSb₂ and NbSnSb (both CuAl₂ type) are discussed. Supporting the electronic structure calculations, physical property measurements revealed the metallic character of TiSnSb, with holes being the dominant charge carriers.     

Synthesis and Properties of Colored Copper-Containing Apatites of Composition Ca5(PO4)3CuyO y + δ(OH)0.5 − y − δX0.5 (X = OH,F, Cl)

Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cu_yO _{y + δ}(OH)_{0.5 ? y ? δ}X_0.5 compounds (for X = OH, y = 0.01–0.3; for X = F, y = 0.01–0.1; for X = Cl, y = 0.1) have been synthesized by heat treatment of oxide-carbonate mixtures at 1150°C in air and have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, electronic spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The compounds have an apatite structure in which copper atoms substitute for part of the hydroxyl hydrogen atoms in hexagonal channels. The electronic spectrum shows two main absorption bands due to d-d transitions in copper(II) linearly coordinated to two oxygen atoms, as well as extra, weaker bands, whose contribution to the overall spectrum decreases with decreasing y. The latter are assignable to copper atoms occupying other sites in the crystal lattice. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of the compounds obeys the Curie-Weiss law with a Curie constant close to zero. The Weiss constant characterizes the copper(II) content of the compounds and correlates qualitatively with the intensity of the main absorption bands in the visible spectrum. The fraction of copper(II) in the total amount of copper in the apatites increases in the substituent order X: Cl, OH, F, as well as upon the low-temperature annealing of the compounds in air. At the same time, copper(II) fraction depends only slightly on the total copper content. As the copper(II) content increases, the color of apatite changes from pink to dark claret.     

ACu9X4 ‐ Neue Verbindungen mit der CeNi8, 5Si4, 5‐Struktur (A: Sr,Ba; X: Si,Ge)

ACu₉X₄ ‐ New Compounds with CeNi_{8, 5}Si_{4, 5} Structure (A: Sr, Ba; X: Si, Ge) The new compounds SrCu₉Si₄ (a = 8.146(1), c = 11.629(2)Å), BaCu₉Si₄ (a = 8.198(2), c = 11.735(2)Å), SrCu₉Ge₄ (a = 8.273(2), c = 11.909(5)Å), and BaCu₉Ge₄ (a = 8.338(4), c = 12.011(7)Å) are formed by reaction of the elements at 1000° ‐ 1100 °C. They are isotypic (I4/mcm, Z = 4) and crystallize in an ordered variant of the cubic NaZn₁₃ type structure, also built up by the binary phase BaCu₁₃. In the ternary compounds the positions of Cu2 are orderly occupied by copper and silicon and germanium, respectively. This results in a lowering of symmetry and a distortion of the polyhedra. The metallic conductivity of the compounds was confirmed by measurements on BaCu₉Si₄.     

Structure and reactivity of derivatives of dihalogenomethyl indium(III) halides, X2InCHX2 (X = Cl, Br, I)

The reactions of indium monohalides, InX with haloforms, CHX₃, in 1,4-dioxane (diox), produce the dioxane adducts of dihalogeno-dihalogenomethyl-indium(III), X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ (X = Cl, Br, n = 1; X = I, n = 2) compounds. The ionic derivative [(C₂H₅)₄N] [Cl₃InCHCl₂] was prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray means. The reactions of the X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ compounds are significantly different from those of the related X₂InCH₂X compounds. The dihalogenomethyl derivatives react with strong electrophiles suggesting dihalogenomethyl substituents of mild nucleophilic character, while the carbon atoms in the halogenomethyl derivatives are electrophilic.     

Synthesis,Crystal and Electronic Structure of Layered AMSb Compounds (A = Rb,Cs; M = Zn,Cd)

Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal stability, and electronic band structure of four new metal antimonides AMSb (A = Rb, Cs; M = Zn, Cd) are reported. CsZnSb and RbZnSb crystallize in the hexagonal ZrBeSi structure type, in a P6₃/mmc space group (no. 194, Z = 2) and unit cell dimensions of a = 4.5588(2)/4.5466(4) Å and c = 11.9246(6)/11.0999(10) Å. CsCdSb and RbCdSb crystallize in the tetragonal PbFCl structure type in a P4/nmm space group (no. 129; Z = 2) and unit cell parameters of a = 4.8884(5)/4.8227(3) Å and c = 8.8897(9)/8.5492(7) Å. All four compounds are air- and water-sensitive and are shown through DSC measurements to decompose between 975 K and 1060 K. Analysis of the calculated electronic band structure shows that the Zn-containing antimonides are topologically trivial narrow bandgap semiconductors, whereas Cd-containing compounds exhibit a band inversion along Γ-Z direction.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Spectroscopic and Magnetic Behavior of the Mn7(HOXO3)4(XO4)2(X=As, P) Compounds. Crystal Structure of Mn7(HOAsO3)4(AsO4)2

The Mn₇(HOXO₃)₄(XO₄)₂ (X=As, P) compounds have been synthesized by using hydrothermal conditions. The arsenate phase was obtained under autogeneous pressure at 170°C. However, more drastic conditions at both pressure and temperature were necessary in the attainment of the phosphate compound. The crystal structure of Mn₇(HOAsO₃)₄(AsO₄)₂ was solved using single-crystal data. The unit-cell parameters are a=6.810(3) Å, b=8.239(2) Å, c=10.011(4) Å, α=104.31(2)°, β=108.94(3)°, γ=101.25(2)°. Triclinic, P-1 with Z=1. The isostructural Mn₇(HOPO₃)₄(PO₄)₂ phase was characterized from X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The crystal structure of both compounds consists of zig-zag chains constructed by dimeric edge-sharing Mn₂O₁₀ octahedra linked through the MnO₅ trigonal bipyramids. The three-dimensional framework is completed by the connection between isolated MnO₆ entities to the dimers octahedra and trigonal bipyramids. The existence of hydrogenarsenate and hydrogenphosphate anions has been confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopies. Magnetic measurements indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in both compounds, which are slightly stronger in the arsenate phase.     

X-ray and neutron powder diffraction study of the double perovskites Ba2LnSbO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Sm)

The crystal structures of Ba₂LnSbO₆ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Sm) at room temperature have been investigated by profile analysis of the Rietveld method using either combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data or X-ray powder diffraction data. It has been shown that the structure of Ba₂LnSbO₆ with Ln =La, Pr and Nd are neither monoclinic nor cubic as were previously reported. They are rhombohedral with the space group . The distortion from cubic symmetry is due to the rotation of the LnO₆/SbO₆ octahedra about the primitive cubic [111]_p-axis. On the other hand, the structure of Ba₂SmSbO₆ is found to be cubic. All compounds contain an ordered arrangement of LnO₆ and SbO₆ octahedra.     

Pressure and temperature-dependent structural studies of Ba2BiTaO6

The ordered double perovskite Ba₂BiTaO₆ is shown to undergo a first-order rhombohedral to monoclinic (I2/m) phase transition, which can be induced by either lowering the temperature or through the application of pressure. The structures in both phases have been refined from high resolution neutron powder diffraction data at various temperatures, while the high pressure measurements utilised synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. The rhombohedral structure is characterised by out-of-phase tilts about the [111] axis. In the monoclinic structure the tilt axis has changed to be about the [110] axis; however, the magnitude of the tilts in the two structures is remarkably similar.     

The first polymorph, κ″-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Cl, in the family of κ-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]X (X=Cl, Br, I) radical cation salts

The first polymorph, κ″-(ET)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Cl, of the well known Mott insulator κ-(ET)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Cl has been prepared and its crystal and electronic structures have been examined. The polymorph has monoclinic symmetry in contrast with the orthorhombic one of the isostructural κ-salts of the family (ET)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]X (X=Cl, Br, I). The monoclinic phase exhibits a layered structure in which the conducting layers are packed in a κ-type arrangement and the anion sheets consist of polymeric zigzag chains formed by Cu[N(CN)₂]Cl units. The main structural differences with the orthorhombic κ-salts are that the anion sheets are disordered and the ET molecules are less planar. The new polymorph shows metallic type resistivity down to 4.2 K.     

Über Eisentribromid: Untersuchungen von Gleichgewichten,Kristallstruktur und spektroskopische Charakterisierung

About Irontribromide: Equilibrium Studies, Crystal Structure, and Spectroscopic Characterization Iron(III) bromide has been thoroughly characterized by thermal, x‐ray, and spectroscopic investigations on crystalline FeBr₃ samples which were grown by CVD at higher bromine pressures. The thermodynamical data for equilibria between FeBr₂, FeBr₃ and Br₂ obtained by pressure measurements are in agreement with chemical vapor transport experiments and confirm the statements of the literature to a high extent. Refinement of the crystal structure with single crystal data (a = 6.937(1) Å; c = 18.375(4) Å Z = 6) confirms the assignment to the rhombohedral BiI₃ type (Spgr. R‐3). On this base, the UV‐VIS, FTIR and Raman spectra were interpreted. The totally symmetric stretching mode of FeBr₃ (173 cm^–1) in comparision to FeCl₃ (282 cm^–1) was found lower as to be expected by consideration of the mass influence alone. Impedance measurements on pure samples under ambient conditions showed low electronic conductivity (10^–8 Ω^–1 cm^–1) but high capacitive contributions, resulting from displacement polarisation. The investigations gave no hints for neither a mixed valent “Fe₃Br₈” nor a substantial phase width of the solid compounds FeBr₂ and FeBr₃.     

Expanding the Averievite Family, (MX)Cu5O2(T5+O4)2 (T5+ = P,V; M = K,Rb, Cs,Cu; X = Cl,Br): Synthesis and Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Study

Averievite-type compounds with the general formula (MX)[Cu₅O₂(TO₄)], where M = alkali metal, X = halogen and T = P, V, have been synthesized by crystallization from gases and structurally characterized for six different compositions: 1 (M = Cs; X = Cl; T = P), 2 (M = Cs; X = Cl; T = V), 3 (M = Rb; X = Cl; T = P), 4 (M = K; X = Br; T = P), 5 (M = K; X = Cl; T = P) and 6 (M = Cu; X = Cl; T = V). The crystal structures of the compounds are based upon the same structural unit, the layer consisting of a kagome lattice of Cu²⁺ ions and are composed from corner-sharing (OCu₄) anion-centered tetrahedra. Each tetrahedron shares common corners with three neighboring tetrahedra, forming hexagonal rings, linked into the two-dimensional [O₂Cu₅]⁶⁺ sheets parallel to (001). The layers are interlinked by (T⁵⁺O₄) tetrahedra (T⁵⁺ = V, P) attached to the bases of the oxocentered tetrahedra in a “face-to-face” manner. The resulting electroneutral 3D framework {[O₂Cu₅](T⁵⁺O₄)₂}⁰ possesses channels occupied by monovalent metal cations M⁺ and halide ions X⁻. The halide ions are located at the centers of the hexagonal rings of the kagome nets, whereas the metal cations are in the interlayer space. There are at least four different structure types of the averievite-type compounds: the P-3m1 archetype, the 2 × 2 × 1 superstructure with the P-3 space group, the monoclinically distorted 1 × 1 × 2 superstructure with the C2/c symmetry and the low-temperature P2₁/c superstructure with a doubled unit cell relative to the high-temperature archetype. The formation of a particular structure type is controlled by the interplay of the chemical composition and temperature. Changing the chemical composition may lead to modification of the structure type, which opens up the possibility to tune the geometrical parameters of the kagome net of Cu²⁺ ions.     

Spectroscopic and structural properties of homonuclear Fe(II) pyrazine-bridged polymeric complexes [Fe(pyrazine)2X2]n. (X = Cl,Br or I)

The reactions of FeX₂ (X = Cl, Br or I) with pyrazine (pyz) yield the Fe(pyz)₂X₂ compounds. Examination of IR and Raman spectra in the medium- and far-IR region as well as studies of electronic and Mössbauer spectra suggests that the complexes contain six-coordinate high-spin Fe(II) in the FeN₄X₂ chromophore. The complexes have a polymeric pseudo-octahedral pyz-bridged structure. The magnetic moments are independent of temperature and low-temperature magnetic measurements do not indicate any magnetic ordering above 4.2 K in these compounds. The π-acceptor properties of pyz are reflected both in the electronic spectra evaluated in terms of the angular overlap model and the Mössbauer parameters.