Crystal growth, characterization and physical properties of PrNiSb3, NdNiSb3 and SmNiSb3

The crystal structures of three new intermetallic ternary compounds in the LnNiSb₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm) family have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃ all crystallize in an orthorhombic space group, Pbcm (No. 57), Z=12, with , , , and ; , , , and ; and , , , and , for Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm, respectively. These compounds consist of rare-earth atoms located above and below layers of nearly square, buckled Sb nets, along with layers of highly distorted edge- and face-sharing NiSb₆ octahedra. Resistivity data indicate metallic behavior for all three compounds. Magnetization measurements show antiferromagnetic behavior with (PrNiSb₃), 4.6 K (NdNiSb₃), and 2.9 K (SmNiSb₃). Effective moments of 3.62 μ_B, 3.90 μ_B and 0.80 μ_B are found for PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃, respectively, and are consistent with Pr³⁺ (f ²), Nd³⁺ (f ³), and Sm³⁺ (f ⁴).     

Structures of the reduced niobium oxides Nb12O29 and Nb22O54

The crystal structure of Nb₂₂O₅₄ is reported for the first time, and the structure of orthorhombic Nb₁₂O₂₉ is reexamined, resolving previous ambiguities. Single crystal X-ray and electron diffraction were employed. These compounds were found to crystallize in the space groups P2/m (, , , β=102.029(3)^°) and Cmcm (, , ), respectively and share a common structural unit, a 4×3 block of corner sharing NbO₆ octahedra. Despite different constraints imposed by symmetry these blocks are very similar in both compounds. Within a block, it is found that the niobium atoms are not located in the centers of the oxygen octahedra, but rather are displaced inward toward the center of the block forming an apparent antiferroelectric state. Bond valence sums and bond lengths do not show the presence of charge ordering, suggesting that all 4d electrons are delocalized in these compounds at the temperature studied, T=200 K.     

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.     

[Zn(H2PO4)4] clusters and ∞[Zn2(HPO4)3(H2PO4)2] layers in two new zinc phosphates templated by [H2(4-amino-2.2.6.6-tetramethylpiperidine)] cations

Two zinc phosphates (ZnPO), [H₂(N₂C₉H₂₀)]·[Zn(H₂PO₄)₄] (I) and [H₂(N₂C₉H₂₀)]₂·[Zn₂(HPO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₂]·H₂O (II), are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using 4-amino-2.2.6.6-tetramethylpiperidine as organic template. I crystallizes in space group with , , , α=92.57(1)°, β=89.76(1)°, γ=102.16(2)°, and Z=2. Its structure, refined to R=0.029 and R_w=0.076 for 4279 independent reflections, consists of [Zn(H₂PO₄)₄]²⁻ clusters held together through strong hydrogen bonds to form pseudo-layers between which the doubly protonated amine molecules are inserted. II is monoclinic, C2, with , , , β=103.72(5)°, and Z=4 (R=0.079, R_w=0.268, 2477 independent reflections). The structure of II consists of _∞[Zn₂(HPO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₂]⁴⁻ inorganic (2D) layers built up from vertex-sharing [ZnO₄] and [(H₂/H)PO₄] tetrahedra. Organic cations and water molecules ensure the connection between these layers via hydrogen bonds. It is shown that numerous (1D), (2D), e.g., [H₂(N₂C₉H₂₀)]₂·[Zn₂(HPO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₂]·H₂O, and (3D) (ZnPO) result from the condensation of the [Zn(H₂PO₄)₄]²⁻ clusters.     

Crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of the mixed-valence iron phosphate Na1/2Cu4/3Fe2(PO4)3

Single crystals of a new mixed-valent iron phosphate Na_1/2Cu_4/3Fe₂(PO₄)₃ have been synthesized by a flux method and structurally characterized from X-ray diffraction data. Crystal data: space group ; ; ; ; α=105.881(1)°; β=107.202(1)°; γ=101.467(1)°; Z=2; R₁=0.03; wR₂=0.093. The three-dimensional structure was found to be closely related to that of the well known Howardevansite structural type. It results from infinite chains of CuO₅ and FeO₆ polyhedra, joined together by (Cu,□)O₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra by corner-sharing. The large cavities in framework are occupied by Na⁺ ions. The magnetic susceptibility study revealed an antiferromagnetic behavior with Neel temperature of approximately 40 K. The Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the presence of iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states.     

Phase transitions in Ca3(BN2)2 and Sr3(BN2)2

α-Ca₃(BN₂)₂ crystallizes in the cubic system (space group: ) with one type of calcium ions disordered over of equivalent (8c) positions. An ordered low-temperature phase (β-Ca₃(BN₂)₂) was prepared and found to crystallize in the orthorhombic system (space group: Cmca) with lattice parameters: , , and . Structure refinements on the basis of X-ray powder data have revealed that orthorhombic β-Ca₃(BN₂)₂ corresponds to an ordered super-structure of cubic α-Ca₃(BN₂)₂. The space group Cmca assigned for β-Ca₃(BN₂)₂ is derived from by a group-subgroup relationship.DSC measurements and temperature-dependent in situ X-ray powder diffraction studies showed reversible phase transitions between β- and α-Ca₃(BN₂)₂ with transition temperatures between 215 and 240 °C.The structure Sr₃(BN₂)₂ was reported isotypic with α-Ca₃(BN₂)₂ () with one type of strontium ions being disordered over of equivalent (2c) positions. In addition, a primitive () structure has been reported for Sr₃(BN₂)₂. Phase stability studies on Sr₃(BN₂)₂ revealed a phase transition between a primitive and a body-centred lattice around 820 °C. The experiments showed that both previously published structures are correct and can be assigned as α-Sr₃(BN₂)₂ (, high-temperature phase), and β-Sr₃(BN₂)₂ (, low-temperature phase).A comparison of Ca₃(BN₂)₂ and Sr₃(BN₂)₂ phases reveals that the different types of cation disordering present in both of the cubic α-phases () have a directing influence on the formation of two distinct (orthorhombic and cubic) low-temperature phases.     

Crystal structures of Rb2U2O7 and Rb8U9O31, a new layered rubidium uranate

Two alkali metal uranates Rb₂U₂O₇ and Rb₈U₉O₃₁ have been synthesized by solid state reaction at high temperature and their crystal structures determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected with a three circles Brucker SMART diffractometer equipped by Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector. Their structures were solved using direct methods and Fourier difference techniques and refined by a least-square method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections, with R₁=0.043 for 53 parameters and 746 independent reflections with I?2σ(I) for Rb₂U₂O₇, monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁/c, , , , β=108.81(1)°, , , Z=2 and R₁=0.036 for 141 parameters and 2065 independent reflections with I?2σ(I) for Rb₈U₉O₃₁, orthorhombic, space group Pbna, , , , , , Z=4.The Rb₂U₂O₇ structure presents a strong analogy with that of K₂U₂O₇ and can be described by layers of distorted UO₂(O₄) octahedra built from dimeric units of edge shared octahedra further linked together by opposite corners. In Rb₈U₉O₃₁ puckered layers are formed by the association of two different uranium polyhedra, pentagonal bipyramids and distorted octahedra. The structure of Rb₈U₉O₃₁ is built from a regular succession of infinite ribbons similar to those observed in diuranates M₂U₂O₇ (MK, Rb) and infinite three polyhedra wide ribbons , to create an original undulated sheets .For both compounds Rb⁺ ions occupy the interlayer space and exhibit comparable mobility with conductivity measurements indicating an Arrhenius-type behavior.     

Structural characterization and ferroelectric ordering in (C3N2H5)5Sb2Br11

A ferroelectric crystal (C₃N₂H₅)₅Sb₂Br₁₁ has been synthesized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies (at 300, 155, 138 and 121 K) show that it is built up of discrete corner-sharing bioctahedra and highly disordered imidazolium cations. The room temperature crystal structure has been determined as monoclinic, space group, P2₁/n with: , and and β=96.19^°. The crystal undergoes three solid-solid phase transitions: ) discontinuous, continuous and discontinuous. The dielectric and pyroelectric measurements allow us to characterize the low temperature phases III and IV as ferroelectric with the Curie point at 145 K and the saturated spontaneous polarization value of the order of along the a-axis (135 K). The ferroelectric phase transition mechanism at 145 K is due to the dynamics of imidazolium cations.     

The ordered phase of methylammonium lead chloride CH3ND3PbCl3

The perovskite-structured compound methylammonium lead chloride orders into a low-temperature phase of space group Pnma, in which at 80 K each of the orthorhombic axes , and is doubled with respect to the room temperature disordered cubic phase (). The structure was solved by ab initio methods using the programs EXPO and FOX. This unusual cell basis for space group Pnma is not that of a standard tilt system. This phase, in which the methylammonium ions, are ordered shows distorted octahedra. The octahedra possess a bond angle variance of 60.663°² and a quadratic elongation of 1.018, and are more distorted than those in the ordered phase of methylammonium lead bromide. There is also an alternating long and short Pb-Cl bond along a, due to an off-center displacement of Pb within the octahedron. This suggests that the most rigid unit is actually the methylammonium cation, rather than the PbCl₆ octahedra, in agreement with existing spectroscopic data.     

In3Ir3B, In3Rh3B and In5Ir9B4, the first indium platinum metal borides

The first indium platinum metal borides have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. In₃Ir₃B and In₃Rh₃B are isotypic. They crystallize with the hexagonal space group and Z=1. The lattice constants are , for In₃Ir₃B and , for In₃Rh₃B. The structure which is derived from the Fe₂P type is characterized by columns of boron centered triangular platinum metal prisms inserted in a three-dimensional indium matrix. The indium atoms are on split positions. In₅Ir₉B₄ (hexagonal, space group , , , Z=1) crystallizes with a structure derived from the CeCo₃B₂ type. The structure can be interpreted as a layer as well as a channel structure. In part the indium atoms are arranged at the vertices of a honeycomb net (Schlaefli symbol 6³) separating slabs consisting of double layers of triangular Ir₆B prisms, and in part they form a linear chain in a hexagonal channel formed by iridium prisms and indium atoms of the honeycomb lattice.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and vibrational spectra characterization of MLa(PO3)4 (M=Na, Ag)

The single crystals of lanthanum metaphosphate MLa(PO₃)₄ (M=Na, Ag) have been synthesized and studied by a combination of X-ray crystal diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy. The sodium and silver compounds crystallize in the same monoclinic P2₁/n space group ( factor group) with the following respective unit cell dimensions: a=7.255(2), b=13.186(3), , β=90.40(2)°, , Z=4 and a=7.300(5), b=13.211(9), , β=90.47(4)°, , Z=4. This three-dimensional framework is built of twisted zig-zag chains running along a direction and made up of PO₄ tetrahedra sharing two corners, connected to the LaO₈ and NaO₇ or AgO₇ polyhedra by common oxygen atoms to the chains. The infrared and Raman vibrational spectra have been investigated. A group factor analysis leads to the determination of internal modes of (PO₃)⁻ anion in the phosphate chain.     

Three-dimensional framework of uranium-centered polyhedra with non-intersecting channels in the uranyl oxy-vanadates A2(UO2)3(VO4)2O (A=Li, Na)

The uranyl vanadates A₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O (A=Li, Na) have been synthesized by solid-state reaction and the structure of the Li compound was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure is built from chains of edge-shared U(2)O₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternatively parallel to - and -axis and further connected together to form a three-dimensional (3-D) arrangement. The perpendicular chains are hung on both sides of a sheet parallel to (001), formed by U(1)O₆ square bipyramids connected by VO₄ tetrahedra, and derived from the autunite-type sheet. The resulting 3-D framework creates non-intersecting channels running down the - and -axis formed by empty face-shared oxygen octahedra, the Li⁺ ions are displaced from the center of the channels and occupy the middle of one edge of the common face. The peculiar position of the Li⁺ ion together with the full occupancy explain the low conductivity of Li₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O compared with that of Na(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ containing the same type of channels half occupied by Na⁺ ions in the octahedral sites.Crystallographic data for Li₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O: tetragonal, space group I41/amd, , , , Z=4, ρ_mes=5.32(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.36(3) g/cm³, full-matrix least-squares refinement basis on F² yielded, R₁=0.032, wR₂=0.085 for 37 refined parameters with 364 independent reflections with I?2σ(I).     

Synthesis and characterization of the rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)2]3 with Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu

The rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) were obtained via ion exchange in aqueous medium and subsequent drying: The crystal structures were solved and refined based on X-ray powder diffraction data and they were found to be isotypic: Ln[N(CN)₂]₃; Cmcm (no. 63), Z=4, Ln=La: , , ; Ce: , , ; Pr: , , ; Nd: , , ; Sm: , , ; Eu: , , ). The compounds represent the first dicyanamides with trivalent cations. The Ln³⁺ ions are coordinated by three bridging N atoms and six terminal N atoms of the dicyanamide ions forming a three capped trigonal prism. The structure type is related to that of PuBr₃. The novel compounds Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ have been characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy (Ln=La) and the thermal behavior has been monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (Ln=Ce, Nd, Eu).     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel ternary oxoborate, PbBiBO4

A novel ternary borate oxide, lead bismuth boron tetraoxide, PbBiBO₄, has been prepared by solid-state reaction at temperature below 800 °C. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis showed that PbBiBO₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with , , , β=91.48(1), Z=4. It represents a new structure type in which distorted BiO₆⁹⁻ octahedra are connected to each other in corner- and edge-sharing manner to form two-dimensional layers that are bridged by B atoms of BO₃ triangles giving rise to a three-dimensional framework, with channels parallel to the [0 1 0] direction accommodating the pyramidally coordinated Pb²⁺ cations.     

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of two misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi2O3-MO-Nb2O5 (M=Mg, Ni) systems

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of Bi_1.667Mg_0.70Nb_1.52O₇ (BMN) and Bi_1.67Ni_0.75Nb_1.50O₇ (BNN) misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi₂O₃-M^IIO-Nb₂O₅ (M=Mg, Ni) systems are reported. As for other recently reported Bi-pyrochlores, the metal ion vacancies are found to be confined to the pyrochlore A site. The B₂O₆ octahedral sub-structure is found to be fully occupied and well-ordered. Considerable displacive disorder, however, is found associated with the O′A₂ tetrahedral sub-structure in both cases. The A-site ions were displaced from Wyckoff position 16d (, , ) to 96 h (, , ) while the O′ oxygen was shifted from position 8b (, , ) to Wyckoff position 32e (, , ). The refined displacement magnitudes off the 16d and 8b sites for the A and O′ sites were 0.408 Å/0.423 Å and 0.350 Å/0.369 Å for BMN/BNN, respectively.     

Synthesis, structural determination and magnetic properties of layered hybrid organic-inorganic, iron (II) propylphosphonate, Fe[(CH3(CH2)2PO3)(H2O)], and iron (II) octadecylphosphonate, Fe[(CH3(CH2)17PO3)(H2O)]

Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] (1) and Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₁₇PO₃)(H₂O)] (2) were synthesized by reaction of FeCl₂·6H₂O and the relevant phosphonic acid in water in presence of urea and under inert atmosphere. The compounds were characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, UV-visible and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of (1) was determined from X-ray single crystal diffraction studies at room temperature: monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁, , , , and β=98.62(3)°. The compound is lamellar and the structure is hybrid, made of alternating inorganic and organic layers along the c direction. The inorganic layers consist of Fe(II) ions octahedrally coordinated by five phosphonate oxygen atoms and one from the water molecule, separated by bi-layers of propyl groups. A preliminary structure characterization of compound (2) suggests a similar layered structure, but with an interlayer spacing of 40.3 Å. The magnetic properties of the compounds were both studied by a dc and ac SQUID magnetometer. Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] (1) obeys the Curie-Weiss law at temperatures above 50 K (, ), indicating a Fe +II oxidation state, a high-spin d⁶ (S=2) electronic configuration and an antiferromagnetic exchange couplings between the near-neighbouring Fe(II) ions. Below , Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] exhibits a weak ferromagnetism. The critical temperature of has been determined by ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. Compound (2) shows the same paramagnetic behaviour of the iron (II) propyl derivative. The values of C and θ were found to be and −44 K, respectively, thus suggesting the presence of Fe +II ion in the S=2 spin state and antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe(II) ions at low temperatures. Zero-field and field cooled magnetic susceptibility vs. T plots do not overlap below , suggesting the presence of an ordered magnetic state. The critical temperature, T_N, has been located by the peaks at from the ac susceptibility (χ′and χ″) vs. T plots. Below T_N hysteresis loops recorded in the temperature region show an S-shape, while below 15 K assume an ellipsoid form. They reveal that compound (2) is a weak ferromagnet. The critical temperature T_N in these layered Fe(II) alkylphosphonates is independent of the distance between the inorganic layers.     

Zn3(HPO3)4·Zn(H2O)6: a purely inorganic open-framework zincophosphite with octahedral zinc complex [Zn(H2O)6] encapsulating in the channels

The hydrothermal synthesis and single crystal structure of Zn₃(HPO₃)₄·Zn(H₂O)₆ are reported. The structure is built-up from vertex linking ZnO₄ tetrahedral and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids units, giving rise to a three-dimensional framework with large 8, 16-membered ring channels. The zincophosphite is purly inorganic with the octahedral zinc complex filled in the channel. The synthesis of system required the presence of the organic amine which is not incorporated into the structure of the product. The framework-metal complex encapsulating in the channel is the first time appeared in open-framework zincophospates and zincophosphites. Crystal data: Zn₃(HPO₃)₄·Zn(H₂O)₆, M=689.52, orthorhombic, Fddd (No. 70), , , , , Z=8, , , R=0.0265, R_w=0.0406.     

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).     

[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.