Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. XIV. Crystal structure, spectroscopic, thermal and magnetic properties of [CuL2][Pt(CN)4] complexes (L=ethylenediamine or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)

Violet crystals of [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] and blue crystals of [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄] were crystallized from the water-methanol solution containing CuCl₂·2H₂O, ethylenediamine (en) or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and K₂[Pt(CN)₄]·3H₂O. Both compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and UV-VIS spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, specific heat measurements and thermal analysis. X-ray structure analysis revealed chain-like structure in both compounds. The covalent chains are built of Cu(II) ions linked by [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions in the [111] and [101] direction, respectively. The Cu(II) atoms are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane from two molecules of bidentate ligands L with average Cu-N distance of 2.022(2) and 2.049(4) Å, respectively. Axial positions are occupied by two nitrogen atoms from bridging [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions at longer Cu-N distance of 2.537(2) and 2.600(5) Å, respectively. Both materials are characterized by the presence of weak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. Despite the one-dimensional (1D) character of the structure, the analysis of magnetic properties and specific heat at very low temperatures shows that [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] behaves as two-dimensional (2D) spatially anisotropic square lattice Heisenberg magnet, while more pronounced influence of interlayer coupling is observed in [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄].     

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyanido groups. XXI. Crystal structure, spectroscopic, thermal and magnetic properties of two polymorphous modifications of [Cu(men)2Pt(CN)4]n complex (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane)

Violet (1) and blue (2) polymorphous modifications of [Cu(men)₂Pt(CN)₄]_n (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane) have been prepared and investigated by IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis, measurement of magnetic data and X-ray structural analysis. Both modifications are formed by similar but differently packed zigzag chains, which consist of [Cu(men)₂]²⁺ moieties bridged by two trans arranged cyanido groups of [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ units. The Cu(II) atoms in both structures are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane from two molecules of bidentate men ligands with the average Cu-N(Me) and Cu-N(H₂) bond lengths of 2.046(8) and 2.008(8) Å, respectively, and by two nitrogen atoms from bridging cyanido groups in the axial positions at average distance of 2.50(7) Å. Broad nearly symmetric bands observed in the UV-vis spectra of 1 and 2 of ²B_1g → ²E_g transitions are consistent with a deformed octahedral coordination of the CuN₆ chromophoric groups. One and two ν(CN) absorption bands observed in the IR spectra of 1 and 2, respectively, are in agreement with different local symmetries of [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ units and different Cu-N(cyanido) bond lengths in these polymorphs and are subject of discussion on the spectral-structural correlations in 1D compounds. The complexes are stable up to 238 °C when their two-stage thermal decompositions start and ending up with a mixture of CuO and metallic Pt as the most probable final thermal decomposition products. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility suggests the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between Cu(II) atoms in 1, J/hc = −0.17 cm⁻¹ and in 2, J/hc = −1.3 cm⁻¹.     

Synthesis, vibrational and NMR spectroscopic characterization of [N(CH3)4][IO2F2] and X-ray crystal structure of [N(CH3)4]2[IO2F2][HF2]

The salt, [N(CH₃)₄][IO₂F₂], was prepared from [N(CH₃)₄][IO₃] and 49% aqueous HF, and characterized by Raman, infrared, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. Crystals of [N(CH₃)₄]₂[IO₂F₂][HF₂] were obtained by reduction of [N(CH₃)₄][cis-IO₂F₄] in the presence of [N(CH₃)₄][F] in CH₃CN solvent and were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction: C2/m, a = 14.6765(2) Å, b = 8.60490(10) Å, c = 13.9572(2) Å, β = 120.2040(10)°, V = 1523.35(3) Å³, Z = 4 and R = 0.0192 at 210 K. The crystal structure consists of two IO₂⁻F₂ anions that are symmetrically bridged by two H⁻F₂ anions, forming a [F₂O₂I(FHF)₂IO₂F₂]⁴⁻ dimer. The symmetric bridging coordination for the H⁻F₂ anion in this structure represents a new bonding modality for the bifluoride anion.     

[Cu(men)2(BF4)2] (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane): Preparation, crystal structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

Single crystals of [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] (men = N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane) (1) were isolated from an aqueous-ethanolic system Cu²⁺-men-BF₄⁻. The crystal structure of 1 consists of [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] molecules. Copper ion exhibits usual distorted octahedral coordination; there are two coordinated men ligands in the equatorial plane with Cu-N bonds of 2.0451(12) and 2.0035(12) Å, while the axial positions are occupied by fluorine atoms from BF₄⁻ anions with Cu-F bond of 2.5091(11) Å. The packing of the [Cu(men)₂(BF₄)₂] molecules is governed by N-H?F type hydrogen bonds. The measured ESR spectrum corroborated the presence of Jahn-Teller anisotropy of Cu(II) with g_|| = 2.20 and g_⊥ = 2.06. The magnetic studies in the temperature range 300-2 K reveal that 1 follows the Curie-Weiss law with parameters g = 2.1612(1) and θ = −0.233(1) K suggesting the presence of weak antiferomagnetic interactions.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and Raman spectra of Ba(BF4)(PF6), Ba(BF4)(AsF6) and Ba2(BF4)2(AsF6)(H3F4); the first examples of metal salts containing simultaneously tetrahedral BF4 and octahedral AF6 anions

In the system BaF₂/BF₃/PF₅/anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) a compound Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) was isolated and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on the single crystal. Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) crystallizes in a hexagonal space group with a=10.2251(4) Å, c=6.1535(4) Å, V=557.17(5) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=3. Both crystallographically independent Ba atoms possess coordination polyhedra in the shape of tri-capped trigonal prisms, which include F atoms from BF₄⁻ and PF₆⁻ anions. In the analogous system with AsF₅ instead of PF₅ the compound Ba(BF₄)(AsF₆) was isolated and characterized. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic Pnma space group with a=10.415(2) Å, b=6.325(3) Å, c=11.8297(17) Å, V=779.3(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=4. The coordination around Ba atom is in the shape of slightly distorted tri-capped trigonal prism which includes five F atoms from AsF₆⁻ and four F atoms from BF₄⁻ anions. When the system BaF₂/BF₃/AsF₅/aHF is made basic with an extra addition of BaF₂, the compound Ba₂(BF₄)₂(AsF₆)(H₃F₄) was obtained. It crystallizes in a hexagonal P6₃/mmc space group with a=6.8709(9) Å, c=17.327(8) Å, V=708.4(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=2. The barium environment in the shape of tetra-capped distorted trigonal prism involves 10 F atoms from four BF₄⁻, three AsF₆⁻ and three H₃F₄⁻ anions. All F atoms, except the central atom in H₃F₄ moiety, act as μ₂-bridges yielding a complex 3-D structural network.     

Synthesis and structure of a 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H3N(CH2)6NH3][B7O10(OH)3]

A new 1,6-hexyldiamine heptaborate, [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃][B₇O₁₀(OH)₃] (1), has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n with a=8.042(2) Å, b=20.004(4) Å, c=10.103(2) Å, and β=90.42(3)°. The anionic [B₇O₁₀(OH)₃]_n²ⁿ⁻ layers are interlinked via hydrogen bonding to form a 3D supramolecular network containing large channels, in which the templated [H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃]²⁺ cations are located.     

Intramolecular mobility and phase transitions in ammonium oxofluoroniobates (NH4)2NbOF5 and (NH4)3NbOF6, a NMR and DFT study

Molecular structure, ionic mobility and phase transitions in six- and seven-coordinated ammonium oxofluoroniobates (NH₄)₂NbOF₅ and (NH₄)₃NbOF₆ were studied by ¹⁹F, ¹H NMR and DFT calculations. Equatorial fluorine atoms (F_eq) in [NbOF₅]²⁻ and [NbOF₆]³⁻ are characterized by high ¹⁹F NMR chemical shifts while axial fluorine atoms (F_ax) have those essentially lower. The high-temperature ionic mobility in (NH₄)₂NbOF₅ does not stimulate the ligand exchange F_eq ↔ F_ax, whereas it is observed in (NH₄)₃NbOF₆ as pseudorotation typical for seven-coordinated polyhedra. The transformation of pentagonal bipyramidal structure (BP) of [NbOF₆]³⁻ into capped trigonal prismatic (CTP) one takes place during the phase transition (PT) at 260 K. The PT of order-disorder type in (NH₄)₂NbOF₅ is accompanied by transition of anionic sublattice to a rigid state. The ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR data corroborate the independent motions of NH₄ groups and anionic polyhedra in (NH₄)₂NbOF₅ while they are coordinated in (NH₄)₃NbOF₆.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic studies of the new pillared microporous ammonium Fe(III) carboxyethylphosphonate: [NH4][Fe2(OH){O3P(CH2)2CO2}2]

The preparation by hydrothermal reaction and the crystal structure of the iron(III) carboxyethylphosphonate of formula [NH₄][Fe₂(OH){O₃P(CH₂)₂CO₂}₂] is reported. The green-yellow compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Pc(n.7), with the following unit-cell parameters: a=7.193(3) Å, b=9.776(3) Å, c=10.17(4) Å and β=94.3(2)°. It shows a typical layered hybrid organic-inorganic structure featuring an alternation of organic and inorganic layers along the a-axis of the unit cell. The bifunctional ligand [O₃P(CH₂)₂CO₂]³⁻ is deprotonated and acts as a linker between adjacent inorganic layers, to form pillars along the a-axis. The inorganic layers are made up of dinuclear Fe(III) units, formed by coordination of the metal ions with the oxygen atoms originating from the [O₃P−]²⁻ end of the carboxyethylphosphonate molecules, the oxygen atoms of the [−CO₂]⁻ end group of a ligand belonging to the adjacent layer and the oxygen atom of the bridged OH group. Each Fe(III) ion is six-coordinated in a very distorted octahedral environment. Within the dimer the Fe-Fe separation is found to be 3.5 Å, and the angle inside the [Fe(1)-O(11)-Fe(2)] dimers is ∼124°. The resulting 3D framework contains micropores delimited by four adjacent dimers in the (bc) planes of the unit cell. These holes develop along the a-direction as tunnel-like pores and [NH₄]⁺ cations are located there. The presence of the μ-hydroxo-bridged [Fe(1)-O(11)-Fe(2)] dimers in the lattice is also responsible for the magnetic behavior of the compound at low temperatures. The compound contains Fe³⁺ ions in the high-spin state and the two Fe(III) ions are antiferromagnetic coupled. The J/k value of −16.3 K is similar to those found for other μ-hydroxo-bridged Fe(III) dimeric systems having the same geometry.     

A new structure type of phosphate: Crystal structure of Na2Zn5(PO4)4

A new compound, Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄, was identified in the system ZnONa₂OP₂O₅ and high-quality crystal was obtained by the melt method. The crystal structure of this compound was solved by direct method from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure was then refined anisotropically using a full-matrix least square refinement on F² and the refinement converged to R₁=0.0233 and wR₂=0.0544. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group Pbcn, lattice parameters a=10.381(2) Å, b=8.507(1) Å, c=16.568(3) Å and Z=4. The structure is made up of 3D [Zn₅P₄O₁₆]_n²ⁿ⁻ covalent framework consisting of [Zn₄P₄O₁₆]_n⁴ⁿ⁻ layers. The powder diffraction pattern of Na₉Zn₂₁(PO₄)₁₇ is explained by simulating a theoretical pattern with NaZnPO₄ and Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ in the molar ratio of 1:4 and then by Rietveld refinement of experimental pattern. Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ melts congruently at 855 °C and its conductivity is 5.63×10⁻⁹ S/cm.     

Synthesis and characterization of three new fluorovanadate complexes: N(C2H5)4[VOF4], N(CH3)4[VOF3Cl], N(C4H9)4[VOF3Br] and theoretical calculations of VOF4, VOF3Cl and VOF3Br ions

The reaction of VOF₃ with (C₂H₅)₄NF, (CH₃)₄NCl and (C₄H₉)₄NBr salts in anhydrous CH₃CN produced new complexes with the anion general formula [VOF₃X]⁻ in that (X = F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻). These were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Visible and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary point are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G level of theory. Theoretical results showed that the VX (X = F, Cl, Br) bond length values for the [VOF₃X]⁻ in compounds 1-3 are 1.8247, 2.4031 and 2.5595 Å, respectively. Also, the VF₅ bond length values in [VOF₃X]⁻ are 1.824, 1.812 and 1.802 Å, respectively. These results reveal that the bond order for VX bonds decrease from compounds 1 to 3, while for VF₅ bonds, the bond orders increase. It can be concluded that the decrease of VX bonds lengths and the increase of VF₅ bond lengths in compounds 1-3 result from the increase of the hyperconjugation from compounds 1 to 3. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities for VOF₄⁻, VOF₃Cl⁻ and VOF₃Br⁻ are studied by means of theoretical and experimental methods. The calculated frequencies are in reasonable agreement with the experiment values. These data can be used in models of phosphoryl transfer enzymes because vanadate can often bind to phosphoryl transfer enzymes to form a trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the active site.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic and optical properties of the compounds [Hg3Te2][UCl6] and [Hg4As2][UCl6]

Two new quaternary salts, [Hg₃Te₂][UCl₆] and [Hg₄As₂][UCl₆], have been synthesized and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. [Hg₃Te₂][UCl₆] is the product of a reaction involving UCl₄, HgCl₂, and HgTe at 873 K. The compound crystallizes in space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system. [Hg₄As₂][UCl₆] results from the reaction of U, Hg₂Cl₂, and As at 788 K. It crystallizes in space group Pbca of the orthorhombic system. [Hg₃Te₂][UCl₆] has a two-dimensional framework of layers, whereas [Hg₄As₂][UCl₆] has a three-dimensional framework of layers interconnected by Hg atoms linearly bonded to As atoms. Both framework structures contain discrete [UCl₆]²⁻ anions between the layers. [Hg₃Te₂][UCl₆] exhibits temperature-independent paramagnetism. The optical absorption spectra of these compounds display f-f transitions.     

Crystal structure and magnetic property of spin crossover complex Fe(3-phenylpyridine)2[Au(CN)2]2

A novel two-dimensional network bimetallic Fe Au spin crossover coordination polymer based on 3-phenylpyridine-coordinated iron centers and linear gold cyanide bridges {Fe(3-phenylpyridine)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂}_n (1), has been synthesized. The compound is characterized by elemental analysis, IR, single-crystal X-ray analysis at 300 and 90 K and magnetic measurements. The Fe^II ions in 1 have octahedral Fe^IIN₆ coordination geometries, which are linked by [Au(CN)₂]⁻ units at the equatorial plane to form a polymeric 2D sheet architecture. The two pyridine rings coordinate in axial position. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 were performed to determine the spin transition behavior. SQUID data show that high and low spin states exist in a 1:1 ratio at 90 K. However, only one kind of Fe^II atom is apparent crystallographically at 90 K, indicating that the high and low spin sites are disordered in the polymeric 2D framework.     

Calorimetric study and thermal analysis of [Gd4/3Y2/3(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O and [ErY(Gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O (Gly: glycin)

Two solid-state coordination compounds of rare earth metals with glycin, [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O and [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O were synthesized. The low-temperature heat capacities of the two coordination compounds were measured with an adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 376 K. [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 342.90 K, while [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O melted at 328.79 K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion for the two coordination compounds were determined to be 18.48 kJ mol⁻¹ and 53.9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [Gd_4/3Y_2/3(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, 1.82 kJ mol⁻¹ and 5.5 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for [ErY(Gly)₆(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₆·5H₂O, respectively. Thermal decompositions of the two coordination compounds were studied through the thermogravimetry (TG). Possible mechanisms of the decompositions are discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structural, Raman, and luminescence studies of Am[M(CN)2]3·3H2O and Nd[M(CN)2]3·3H2O (M=Ag, Au): Bimetallic coordination polymers containing both trans-plutonium and transition metal elements

The polymeric compounds consisting of the man-made element, americium, and gold and silver dicyanides were prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions at 120 °C. It was found that the americium ion and the transition metal ions are interconnected through cyanide bridging in the compounds. Given the similarities in the radii of americium and neodymium, crystals of the latter were also characterized for comparison purposes. The four compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the hexagonal space group, P6₃/mcm, with only slight differences in their unit cell parameters. Crystallographic data (MoKα, λ=0.71073 Å): Am[Ag(CN)₂]₃·3H₂O (1), a=6.7205(10) Å, c=18.577(3) Å, V=726.64(19), Z=2; Am[Au(CN)₂]₃·3H₂O (2),a=6.666(2) Å, c=18.342(3) Å, V=705.9(4), Z=2; Nd[Ag(CN)₂]₃·3H₂O (3), a=6.7042(4) Å, c=18.6199(14) Å, V=724.77(8), Z=2; and Nd[Au(CN)₂]₃·3H₂O (4), a=6.6573(13) Å, c=18.431(4) Å, V=707.2(2), Z=2. The coordination around the Am and/or Nd consists of six N-bound CN⁻ groups resulting in a trigonal prismatic arrangement. Three capping oxygen atoms of coordinated water molecules complete the tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination environment, providing a total coordination number of nine for the f-elements. Raman spectroscopy, which compliments the structural analyses, reveals that the four compounds display strong signals in the ν_CN stretching region. When compared with KAg(CN)₂ or KAu(CN)₂, the ν_CN stretching frequencies for these compounds blue-shift due to bridging of the dicyanometallate ions with the f-element ions. There is subsequent reduction in electron density at the cyanide center. Compared with the silver systems, the ν_CN frequency appears at higher energy in the gold dicyanide complexes. This shift is consistent with the structural data where the carbon-nitrogen bond distance is found to be shorter in the gold dicyanides.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.     

Crystal chemistry of M[PO2(OH)2]2·2H2O compounds (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd): Structural investigation of the Ni, Zn and Cd salts

The compounds M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) were prepared from super-saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray structure investigations of members with M=Ni, Zn, Cd were performed at 295 and 120 K. The space-group symmetry is P2₁/n, Z=2. The unit-cell parameters are at 295/120 K for M=Ni: a=7.240(2)/7.202(2), b=9.794(2)/9.799(2), c=5.313(1)/5.285(1) Å, β=94.81(1)/94.38(1)°, V=375.4/371.9 Å³; M=Zn: a=7.263(2)/7.221(2), b=9.893(2)/9.899(3), c=5.328(1)/5.296(2) Å, β=94.79(1)/94.31(2)°, V=381.5/377.5 Å³; M=Cd: a=7.356(2)/7.319(2), b=10.416(2)/10.423(3), c=5.407(1)/5.371(2) Å, β=93.85(1)/93.30(2)°, V=413.4/409.1 Å³. Layers of corner-shared MO₆ octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra are linked by three of the four crystallographically different hydrogen bonds. The fourth hydrogen bond (located within the layer) is worth mentioning because of the short O_h?O bond distance of 2.57-2.61 Å at room temperature (2.56-2.57 Å at 120 K); only for M=Mg it is increased to 2.65 Å. Any marked temperature-dependent variation of the unit-cell dimension is observed only vertical to the layers. The analysis of the infrared (IR) spectroscopy data evidences that the internal PO₄ vibrations are insensitive to the size and the electronic configuration of the M²⁺ ions. The slight strengthening of the intra-molecular P-O bonds in the Mg salt is caused by the more ionic character of the Mg-O bonds. All IR spectra exhibit the characteristic “ABC trio” for acidic salts: 2900-3180 cm⁻¹ (A band), 2000-2450 cm⁻¹ (B band) and 1550-1750 cm⁻¹ (C band). Both the frequency and the intensity of the A band provide an evidence that the PO₂(OH)₂ groups in M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O compounds form weaker hydrogen bonds as compared with other acidic salts with comparable O?O bond distances of about 2.60 Å. The observed shift of the O-H stretching vibrations of the water molecule in the order M=Mg>Mn≈Fe≈Co>Ni>Zn≈Cd has been discussed with respect to the influence of both the character and the strength of M↔H₂O interactions.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and electric transport properties of Eu11InSb9 and Yb11InSb9

Two new rare-earth metal containing Zintl phases, Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉ have been synthesized by reactions of the corresponding elements in molten In metal to serve as a self-flux. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction—both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Iba2 (No. 45), Z=4 with unit cell parameters a=12.224(2) Å, b=12.874(2) Å, c=17.315(3) Å for Eu₁₁InSb₉, and a=11.7886(11) Å, b=12.4151(12) Å, c=16.6743(15) Å for Yb₁₁InSb₉, respectively (Ca₁₁InSb₉-type, Pearson's code oI84). Both structures can be rationalized using the classic Zintl rules, and are best described in terms of discrete In-centered tetrahedra of Sb, [InSb₄]⁹⁻, isolated Sb dimers, [Sb₂]⁴⁻, and isolated Sb anions, Sb³⁻. These anionic species are separated by Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ cations, which occupy the empty space between them and counterbalance the formal charges. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements corroborate such analysis and indicate divalent Eu and Yb, as well as poorly metallic behavior for both Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉. The close relationships between these structures and those of the monoclinic α-Ca₂₁Mn₄Sb₁₈ and Ca₂₁Mn₄Bi₁₈ are also discussed.