Structure and physical properties of ternary W5Si3-type antimonides and bismuthides Zr5M1-xPn2+x (M=Cr, Mn; Pn=Sb, Bi)

Four new ternary compounds Zr₅M_1-xPn_2+x (M=Cr, Mn; Pn=Sb, Bi) were synthesized by arc-melting and annealing at 800 °C. They crystallize in the tetragonal W₅Si₃-type structure. The crystal structure of Zr₅Cr_0.49(2)Sb_2.51(2) was refined from powder X-ray diffraction data by the Rietveld method (Pearson symbol tI32, tetragonal, space group I4/mcm, Z=4, a=11.1027(6) Å, c=5.5600(3) Å). Four-probe electrical resistivity measurements on sintered polycrystalline samples indicated metallic behavior. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 2 and 300 K revealed temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism for Zr₅Cr_1-xSb_2+x and Zr₅Cr_1-xBi_2+x, but a strong temperature dependence for Zr₅Mn_1-xSb_2+x and Zr₅Mn_1-xBi_2+x which was fit to the Curie-Weiss law for the latter with θ=-11.3 K and μ_eff=1.81(1) μ_B. Band structure calculations for Zr₅Cr_0.5Sb_2.5 support a structural model in which Cr and Sb atoms alternate within the chain of interstitial sites formed at the centers of square antiprismatic Zr₈ clusters.     

The novel silicide Eu3Si4: structure, chemical bonding, magnetic behavior and electrical resistivity

The novel binary europium silicide Eu₃Si₄ was synthesized from the elements. Its crystal structure is a derivative of the Ta₃B₄ type: space group Immm, a=4.6164(4) Å, b=3.9583(3) Å, c=18.229(1) Å, Z=2. In the structure, the silicon atoms form one-dimensional bands of condensed hexagons. Deviating from the prototype structure, a partial corrugation of the initially planar bands may be concluded from the analysis of the experimental electron density in the vicinity of the Si1 atoms. In the paramagnetic region, Eu₃Si₄ shows a 4f⁷ electronic configuration for the europium atoms. Two consecutive magnetic ordering transitions were found at 117 and 40 K. The first one is attributed to a ferromagnetic ordering of the Eu2 atoms; the second one is caused by a ferromagnetic ordering of the Eu1 atoms resulting in a ferrimagnetic ground state with a net magnetization of 7 μ_B at 1.8 K. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity reflects the metallic character of the investigated compound. Furthermore, the pronounced changes of the dρ/dT slope confirm the magnetic transitions. From bonding analysis with the electron localization function, Eu₃Si₄ shows a Zintl-like character and its electronic count balance can be written as (Eu^1.83+)₃(Si1^0.95−)₂(Si2^1.8−)₂, in good agreement with its magnetic behavior in the paramagnetic region.     

New Ternary Compounds MxTa11−xGe8 (M=Ti, Zr, Hf): Structure and Stabilization

The title compounds M_xTa_11−xGe₈ (M=Ti, Zr, Hf) were prepared from the pure elements by arc-melting and subsequent induction heating at temperatures between 1200°C and 1400°C. X-ray powder diffraction studies of the samples were performed using the Guinier technique and the respective powder patterns were refined with a structure model based on the orthorhombic Cr₁₁Ge₈-structure type (oP76, Pnma). The homogeneity ranges of the compounds were determined to be 0.9<x<1.3 (M=Ti), 0.7<x<1.3 (M=Zr) and 0.7<x<2.4> (M=Hf) by means of electron probe microanalysis. Chemical bonding, electronic structure and site preferences are discussed based on extended Hückel calculations performed on hypothetical binary Ta₁₁Ge₈.     

Structural relations between weberite and zirconolite polytypes—refinements of doped 3T and 4M Ca2Ta2O7 and 3T CaZrTi2O7

New weberite-type Ca₂Ta₂O₇ and zirconolite-type CaZrTi₂O₇ polytypes have been prepared by doping with Nd/Zr and Th/Al, respectively, and their structures have been refined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction intensity data. The 3T zirconolite polytype, Ca_0.8Ti_1.35Zr_1.3Th_0.15Al_0.4O₇, has a=7.228(1), c=16.805(1) Å. The 3T weberite-type polytype, Ca_1.92Ta_1.92Nd_0.08Zr_0.08O₇, has a=7.356(1), c=18.116(1) Å. Both 3T polytypes have space group P3₁21, Z=6. The 4M Ca₂Ta₂O₇ polytype has the same composition, from electron microprobe analyses, as the 3T polytype, and has cell parameters: a=12.761(1), b=7.358(1), c=24.565(1) Å, β=100.17(1)°, space group C2, Z=16. The structural relationships between the different zirconolite and weberite polytypes are discussed. A consideration of the structures from the viewpoint of anion-centered tetrahedral arrays shows that zirconolite can be considered as an anion-deficient fluorite derivative phase. However, the fluorite-type topology of edge-shared OM₄ tetrahedra is not maintained in the Ca₂Ta₂O₇ weberite-type polytypes, even though they have a fluorite-like fcc packing of metal atoms. One of the oxygen atoms moves from a tetrahedral Ta₃Ca interstice to an adjacent Ta₂Ca₄ octahedral interstice in the weberite polytypes.     

[Zr0.72Y0.28]Al4C4: A new member of the homologous series (MC)l(T4C3)m (M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge)

A new layered carbide, [Zr_0.72(3)Y_0.28(3)]Al₄C₄, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The atom ratios [Zr:Y] were determined by EDX, and the initial structure model was derived by the direct methods, and further refined by Rietveld method. The crystal is trigonal (space group , Z=1) with lattice dimensions of a=0.333990(5) nm, c=1.09942(1) nm and V=0.106209(2) nm³. This compound shows an intergrowth structure with [Zr_0.72Y_0.28C₂] thin slabs separated by Al₄C₃-type [Al₄C₄] layers. It is a new member with l=1 and m=1 of the homologous series, the general formula of which is (MC)_l(T₄C₃)_m (l=1, 2 and 3, m=1 and 2, M=Zr, Y and Hf, T=Al, Si and Ge).     

Crystal structures of lazulite-type oxidephosphates TiTi3O3(PO4)3 and M4Ti27O24(PO4)24 (M=Ti, Cr, Fe)

Single crystals of the oxidephosphates Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃ (black), Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (red-brown, transparent), and Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (brown) with edge-lengths up to 0.3 mm were grown by chemical vapour transport. The crystal structures of these orthorhombic members (space group F2dd ) of the lazulite/lipscombite structure family were refined from single-crystal data [Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃: Z=24, a=7.3261(9) Å, b=22.166(5) Å, c=39.239(8) Å, R₁=0.029, wR₂=0.084, 6055 independent reflections, 301 variables; Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.419(3) Å, b=21.640(5) Å, c=13.057(4) Å, R₁=0.037, wR₂=0.097, 1524 independent reflections, 111 variables; Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.4001(9) Å, b=21.7503(2) Å, c=12.775(3) Å, R₁=0.049, wR₂=0.140, 1240 independent reflections, 112 variables). For Ti^IIITi^IVO₃(PO₄)₃ a well-ordered structure built from dimers [Ti^III,IV₂O₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉] and phosphate tetrahedra is found. The metal sites in the crystal structures of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ and Fe₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄, consisting of dimers [M^IIITi^IVO₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉], monomeric [Ti^IVO₆] octahedra, and phosphate tetrahedra, are heavily disordered. Site disorder, leading to partial occupancy of all octahedral voids of the parent lipscombite/lazulite structure, as well as splitting of the metal positions is observed. According to Guinier photographs Ti^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (a=7.418(2) Å, b=21.933(6) Å, c=12.948(7) Å) is isotypic to the oxidephosphates M^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (M^III: Cr, Fe). The UV/vis spectrum of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ reveals a rather small ligand-field splitting Δ_o=14,370 cm⁻¹ and a very low nephelauxetic ratio β=0.72 for the chromophores [Cr^IIIO₆] within the dimers [Cr^IIITi^IVO₉].     

Synthesis, characterization and dielectric properties of new unidimensional quaternary tellurites: LaTeNbO6, La4Te6Nb2O23, and La4Te6Ta2O23

Three new tellurites, LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) have been synthesized, as bulk phase powders and crystals, by using La₂O₃, Nb₂O₅ (or Ta₂O₅), and TeO₂ as reagents. The structures of LaTeNbO₆ and La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃ were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. LaTeNbO₆ consists of one-dimensional corner-linked chains of NbO₆ octahedra that are connected by TeO₃ polyhedra. La₄Te₆M₂O₂₃ (M=Nb or Ta) is composed of corner-linked chains of MO₆ octahedra that are also connected by TeO₄ and two TeO₃ polyhedra. In all of the reported materials, Te⁴⁺ is in an asymmetric coordination environment attributable to its stereo-active lone-pair. Infrared, thermogravimetric, and dielectric analyses are also presented. Crystallographic information: LaTeNbO₆, triclinic, space group P−1, a=6.7842(6) Å, b=7.4473(6) Å, c=10.7519(9) Å, α=79.6490(10)°, β=76.920(2)°, γ=89.923(2)°, Z=4; La₄Te₆Ta₂O₂₃, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=23.4676(17) Å, b=12.1291(9) Å, c=7.6416(6) Å, β=101.2580(10)°, Z=4.     

Analysis of the electronic structure of Hf(Si0.5As0.5)As by X-ray photoelectron and photoemission spectroscopy

The ternary hafnium silicon arsenide, Hf(Si_xAs_1−x)As, has been synthesized with a phase width of 0.5?x?0.7. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on Hf(Si_0.5As_0.5)As showed that it adopts the ZrSiS-type structure (Pearson symbol tP6, space group P4/nmm, Z=2, a=3.6410(5) Å, c=8.155(1) Å). Physical property measurements indicated that it is metallic and Pauli paramagnetic. The electronic structure of Hf(Si_0.5As_0.5)As was investigated by examining plate-shaped crystals with laboratory-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (PES). The Si 2p and As 3d XPS binding energies were consistent with assignments of anionic Si¹⁻ and As^1-. However, the Hf charge could not be determined by analysis of the Hf 4f binding energy because of electron delocalization in the 5d band. To examine these charge assignments further, the valence band spectrum obtained by XPS and PES was interpreted with the aid of TB-LMTO band structure calculations. By collecting the PES spectra at different excitation energies to vary the photoionization cross-sections, the contributions from different elements to the valence band spectrum could be isolated. Fitting the XPS valence band spectrum to these elemental components resulted in charges that confirm that the formulation of the product is Hf²⁺[(Si_0.5As_0.5)As]²⁻.     

Crystal structure and properties of the new vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na2MVO(PO4)2, M=Ca and Sr

Two new complex vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na₂MVO(PO₄)₂ (M=Ca, Sr) were synthesized in evacuated quartz ampoules and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, DTA, ESR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The crystal structure of Na₂SrVO(PO₄)₂ was solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data. Both compounds are isostructural: a=10.5233(3) Å, b=6.5578(2) Å, c=10.0536(3) Å and a=10.6476(3) Å, b=6.6224(2) Å, c=10.2537(3) Å for Ca and Sr, respectively; S.G. Pnma, Z=4. The compounds have a three-dimensional structure consisting of V⁴⁺O₆ octahedra connected by PO₄ tetrahedra via five of the six vertexes forming a framework with cross-like channels. The strontium and sodium atoms are located in the channels in an ordered manner. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirmed the structure solution. The new vanadylphosphates are Curie-Weiss paramagnets in a wide temperature range down to 2 K with θ=12 and 5 K for Ca and Sr phases, respectively.     

Yb5Ni4Sn10 and Yb7Ni4Sn13: New polar intermetallics with 3D framework structures

The title compounds have been obtained by solid state reactions of the corresponding pure elements at high temperature, and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Yb₅Ni₄Sn₁₀ adopts the Sc₅Co₄Si₁₀ structure type and crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm (No. 127) with cell parameters of a=13.785(4) Å, c=4.492 (2) Å, V=853.7(5) Å³, and Z=2. Yb₇Ni₄Sn₁₃ is isostructural with Yb₇Co₄InGe₁₂ and crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/m (No. 83) with cell parameters of a=11.1429(6) Å, c=4.5318(4) Å, V=562.69(7) Å³, and Z=1. Both structures feature three-dimensional (3D) frameworks based on three different types of one-dimensional (1D) channels, which are occupied by the Yb atoms. Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) indicate that both compounds are metallic. These results are in agreement with those from temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Phase formation in the systems Ag2MoO4-MO-MoO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Mn) and crystal structures of Ag2M2(MoO4)3 (M=Co, Mn)

Phase equilibria in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni, Co, Mn) and subsolidus phase relations in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MO-MoO₃ (M=Ca, Pb, Cd, Mn, Co, Ni) were investigated using XRD and thermal analysis. The systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni) belong to the simple eutectic type whereas in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Co, Mn) incongruently melting Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Co, Mn) were formed. In the ternary oxide systems studied no other compounds were found. Low-temperature LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ reversibly converts into the high-temperature form of a similar structure at 450-500°C. The single crystals of Ag₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ and LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ were grown and their structures determined (space group , Z=2; lattice parameters are a=6.989(1) Å, b=8.738(2) Å, c=10.295(2) Å, α=107.67(2)°, β=105.28(2)°, γ=103.87(2)° and a=7.093(1) Å, b=8.878(2) Å, c=10.415(2) Å, α=106.86(2)°, β=105.84(2)°, γ=103.77(2)°, respectively) and refined to R(F)=0.0313 and 0.0368, respectively. The both compounds are isotypical to Ag₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ and contain mixed frameworks of MoO₄ tetrahedra and pairs of M²⁺O₆ octahedra sharing common edges. The Ag⁺ ions are disordered and located in the voids forming infinite channels running along the a direction. The peculiarities of the silver disorder in the structures of Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Zn, Mg, Co, Mn) are discussed as well as their relations with analogous sodium-containing compounds of the structural family of Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆. The phase transitions in Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Mg, Mn) of distortive or order-disorder type are suggested to have superionic character.     

Synthesis and structure of ternary transition-metal silicides Zr3Mn4Si6 and Hf3Mn4Si6

The isostructural ternary transition-metal silicides Zr₃Mn₄Si₆ and Hf₃Mn₄Si₆ can be prepared by direct reaction of the elemental components or by arc-melting. The single-crystal structure of Zr₃Mn₄Si₆ was determined by X-ray diffraction (Pearson symbol tP104, tetragonal, space group P4₂/mbc, Z=8, , ). Zr₃Mn₄Si₆ is isostructural to Nb₃Fe₃CrSi₆ and contains an essentially ordered arrangement of the transition-metal atoms. Square antiprismatic clusters with Zr and Mn atoms at the corners and Si atoms at the center share opposite faces to form one-dimensional columns extending along the c direction. These columns occupy channels that are outlined by a framework of edge- and face-sharing MnSi₆ octahedra. The extensive metal-metal interactions in the structure are complemented by Si-Si bonding in the form of dumbbells, linear chains, and zigzag chains.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

Syntheses, structures, optical properties, and theoretical calculations of Cs2Bi2ZnS5, Cs2Bi2CdS5, and Cs2Bi2MnS5

Three new compounds, Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅, Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅, and Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅, have been synthesized from the respective elements and a reactive flux Cs₂S₃ at 973 K. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of a=15.763(3), b=4.0965(9), c=18.197(4) Å, V=1175.0(4) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅; a=15.817(2), b=4.1782(6), c=18.473(3)  Å, V=1220.8(3)  ų for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅; and a=15.830(2), b=4.1515(5), c=18.372(2) Å, V=1207.4(2) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅. The structure is composed of two-dimensional _∞²[Bi₂MS₅²⁻] (M=Zn, Cd, Mn) layers that stack perpendicular to the [100] axis and are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The layers consist of edge-sharing _∞¹[Bi₂S₆⁶⁻] and _∞¹[MS₃⁴⁻] chains built from BiS₆ octahedral and MS₄ tetrahedral units. Two crystallographically unique Cs atoms are coordinated to S atoms in octahedral and monocapped trigonal prismatic environments. The structure of Cs₂Bi₂MS₅, is related to that of Na₂ZrCu₂S₄ and those of the AMM′Q₃ materials (A=alkali metal, M=rare-earth or Group 4 element, M′= Group 11 or 12 element, Q=chalcogen). First-principles theoretical calculations indicate that Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅ and Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ are semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.85 and 1.75 eV, respectively. The experimental band gap for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ is ≈1.7 eV, as derived from its optical absorption spectrum.     

Crystal structures of two new oxysulfides La5Ti2MS5O7 (M=Cu, Ag): evidence of anionic segregation

Two new compounds, La₅Ti₂MS₅O₇ (M=Cu, Ag) were synthesized and their structures solved from single crystal X-ray data. Both compounds are isotypic. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system (space group Pnma, Z=4) with lattice constants a=19.423(1) Å, b=3.9793(2) Å, c=18.1191(9) Å for La₅Ti₂CuS₅O₇, and a=19.593(2) Å, b=3.9963(1) Å, and c=18.2973(15) Å for La₅Ti₂AgS₅O₇. The structure of these compounds is built from fragments of the rock-salt, perovskite and fluorite types and a clear anionic segregation of the anions appears in the structure. La₅Ti₂CuS₅O₇ and La₅Ti₂AgS₅O₇ exhibit an orange-yellow color and measurement of their optical band gap gave 2.02 and 2.17 eV, respectively.     

Syntheses, structure and magnetic properties of pillared layered diphosphonates: M2(O3PC6H4PO3)(H2O)2 (M=Co, Ni)

This paper describes the hydrothermal syntheses of two isostructural metal bisphosphonates: M₂(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃)(H₂O)₂ [M=Co^II (1), Ni^II (2)]. Single-crystal structure determination of compound 1 revealed a pillared layered structure in which the phenyl groups connect the inorganic layers of cobalt phosphonate. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Pnnm, a=19.306(5), b=4.8293(12), c=5.6390(14) Å, V=525.7(2) Å³, Z=2. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated in both cases.     

Phase formation features in the systems M2MoO4-Fe2(MoO4)3 (M=Rb, Cs) and crystal structures of new double polymolybdates M3FeMo4O15

The systems M₂MoO₄-Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Rb, Cs) were shown to be non-quasibinary joins of the systems M₂O-Fe₂O₃-MoO₃. New compounds M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ were revealed along with the known MFe(MoO₄)₂ and M₅Fe(MoO₄)₄. The unit cell parameters of the new compounds are a=11.6192(2), b=13.6801(3), c=9.7773(2) Å, β=92.964(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z=4 (M=Rb) and a=11.5500(9), b=9.9929(7), c=14.513(1) Å, β=90.676(2)°, space group P2₁/n, Z=4 (M=Cs). In the structures of M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ (M=Rb, Cs), a half of the FeO₆ octahedra share two opposite edges with two MoO₆ octahedra linked to other FeO₆ octahedra through the bridged MoO₄ tetrahedra by means of the common oxygen vertices to form the chains along the a axis. The difference between the structures is caused by diverse mutual arrangements of the adjacent polyhedral chains.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of new layered hexagonal perovskite Ba8Ta4Ru8/3Co2/3O24

A new hexagonal perovskite-type oxide Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ was synthesized by the solid-state method at 1573 K and characterized by electron diffraction (ED), time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility. Structure parameters of Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ were refined by the Rietveld method from the TOF neutron powder diffraction data on the basis of space group P6₃/mcm and lattice parameters a=10.0075(1) Å and c=18.9248(2) Å as obtained from the ED data (Z=3). The crystal structure of Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ consists of 8-layered (cchc)₂ close-packed stacking of BaO₃ layers along the c-axis. Corner-shared octahedra are filled by Ta only and face-shared octahedra are statistically occupied by Ru, Co, and vacancies. Similar compounds Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3M_2/3O₂₄ with M=Ni and Zn were also prepared. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed no magnetic ordering down to 5 K.     

Transition metal tetramolybdate dihydrates MMo4O13·2H2O (M=Co,Ni) having a novel pillared layer structure

Hydrothermal synthesis in the M/Mo/O (M=Co,Ni) system was investigated. Novel transition metal tetramolybdate dihydrates MMo₄O₁₃·2H₂O (M=Co,Ni), having an interesting pillared layer structure, were found. The molybdates crystallize in the triclinic system with space group P−1, Z=1 with unit cell parameters of a=5.525(3) Å, b=7.058(4) Å, c=7.551(5) Å, α=90.019(10)°, β=105.230(10)°, γ=90.286(10)° for CoMo₄O₁₃·2H₂O, and a=5.508(2) Å, b=7.017(3) Å, c=7.533(3) Å, α=90.152(6)°, β=105.216(6)°, γ=90.161(6)° for NiMo₄O₁₃·2H₂O The structure is composed of two-dimensional molybdenum-oxide (2D Mo-O) sheets pillared with CoO₆ octahedra. The 2D Mo-O sheet is made up of infinite straight ribbons built up by corner-sharing of four molybdenum octahedra (two MoO₆ and two MoO₅OH₂) sharing edges. These infinite ribbons are similar to the straight ones in triclinic-K₂Mo₄O₁₃ having 1D chain structure, but are linked one after another by corner-sharing to form a 2D sheet structure, like the twisted ribbons in BaMo₄O₁₃·2H₂O (or in orthorhombic-K₂Mo₄O₁₃) are.     

New Compounds of the ThCr2Si2-Type and the Electronic Structure of CaM2Ge2 (M: Mn-Zn)

Two new compounds were synthesized by heating mixtures of the elements at 975-1025 K and characterized by single-crystal X-ray methods. CaZn₂Si₂ (a=4.173(2) Å, c=10.576(5) Å) and EuZn₂Ge₂ (a=4.348(2) Å, c=10.589(9) Å) crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure (space group I4/mmm; Z=2). Magnetic susceptibility measurements of EuZn₂Ge₂ show Curie-Weiss behavior with a magnetic moment of 7.85(5)μ_B/Eu and a paramagnetic Curie temperature of 10(1) K. EuZn₂Ge₂ orders antiferromagnetically at T_N=10.0(5) K and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at a low critical field of about 0.3(2) T. The saturation magnetization at 2 K and 5.5 T is 6.60(5) μ_B/Eu. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments show one signal at 78 K at an isomer shift of −11.4(1) mm/s and a line width of 2.7(1) mm/s compatible with divalent europium. At 4.2 K full magnetic hyperfine field splitting with a field of 26.4(4) T is detected. The already known compounds CaM₂Ge₂ (M: Mn-Zn) also crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure. Their MGe₄ tetrahedra are strongly distorted with M=Ni and nearly undistorted with M=Mn or Zn. According to LMTO electronic band structure calculations, the distortion is driven by a charge transfer from M-Ge antibonding to bonding levels.