Synthesis of a family of solids through the building-block approach: a case study with Ag(+) substitution in the ternary Na-Ge-Se system

A new family of Ag-substituted pseudoquaternary alkali-seleno-germanates has been synthesized by two solid-state routes: the conventional flux method and metathesis. This family includes a series of semiconductors with varying amounts of Ag+ substituted for Na+ in Na8Ge4Se10 to form AgxNa(8-x)Ge4Se10, [x = 0.31 (I), 0.67 (II), 0.77 (III), 0.87 (IV), 1.05 (V), 1.09 (VI)] and another phase with a different composition AgxNa(6-x)Ge2Se7 (x = 1.76), VII, related to Na6Ge2Se7. In I-VI, Ge4Se10(8-) constitutes a 6-membered chairlike unit with a Ge-Ge bond, while in VII, a corner-shared dimer of GeSe4 tetrahedra (Ge2Se76-) acts as the building unit. The single-crystal structure analysis indicates that there is a phase transition from P to C2/c, in changing from pure Na8Ge4Se10 to AgxNa(8-x)Ge4 Se10 (I-VI), while there is no phase transition between pure Na6Ge2Se7 and AgxNa(6-x)Ge2Se7 (x = 1.76). The structures of I-VI may be described in terms of layers of cubic close-packed Se2- anions. In between the Se layers, octahedral holes fully occupied by Na+ and mixed Ag+/Na+ cations alternate with layers formed of octahedral holes fully occupied by Na+ and Ge26+ cations. Two adjacent Ge26+ cations form a chairlike Ge4Se10(8-) anion in which Ge-Ge bonds are oriented almost parallel to the Se layers. In contrast, VII does not have close-packed anions. Corner-shared GeSe4 tetrahedra (Ge2Se7(6-) dimer) and AgSe4 tetrahedra form layers that are cross-linked by Na/AgSe4 tetrahedra to form a 3-dimensional (3-D) structure. An optical property investigation indicates a red shift in the band gap of AgxNa(8-x)Ge4Se10 (x = 0.67)(II) as compared to that of pure Na8Ge4Se10. Raman data also indicate a red shift of the Ge-Se stretching mode in the Ag+-substituted phase II (x = 0.67) compared to that of Na8Ge4Se10.     

Selenium oxoanion compounds of palladium(II)

Three new palladium compounds, PdSeO3, PdSe2O5, and Na2Pd(SeO4)2, containing selenium oxoanions of both Se(IV) and Se(VI) have been prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions. PdSe2O5 and Na2Pd(SeO4)2 both possess one-dimensional structures. Within the structure of PdSe2O5, [PdO4] square planar building blocks are joined together through diselenite, Se2O52-, anions, and form a zigzag chain along the c axis. In Na2Pd(SeO4)2, [PdO4] units are connected by two selenate, SeO42-, anions, and extend along the a axis to form a [Pd(SeO4)2]2- chain. Na+ cations reside in the space between the [Pd(SeO4)2]2- chains and act as counter cations. Unlike above two compounds, PdSeO3 exhibits a layered structure. In the structure of PdSeO3, [PdO4] units are connected to each other by corner-sharing and form a zigzag chain along the b axis. The chains are further joined together by tridentate selenite, SeO32-, anions to form layers in the [ab] plane that stack along the c axis. Crystallographic data: (193 K; Mo Kalpha, lambda=0.71073 A): PdSeO3, monoclinic, space group P21/m, a=3.8884(5) A, b=6.4170(8) A, c=6.1051(7) A, beta=96.413(2) degrees, V=151.38(3) A3, Z=2; PdSe2O5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=12.198(2) A, b=5.5500(8) A, c=7.200(1) A, beta=107.900(2) degrees , V=463.8(1) A3, Z=4; Na2Pd(SeO4)2, triclinic, space group P, a=4.9349(11) A, b=5.9981(13) A, c=7.1512 (15) A, alpha=73.894(4) degrees, beta=86.124(4) degrees, gamma=70.834(4) degrees, V=192.03(7) A3, Z=1.     

Strontium selenogermanate(III) and barium selenogermanate(II,IV): synthesis, crystal structures, and chemical bonding

The new selenogermanates Sr2Ge2Se5 and Ba2Ge2Se5 were synthesized by heating stoichiometric mixtures of binary selenides and the corresponding elements to 750 degrees C. The crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. Both compounds adopt previously unknown structure types. Sr2Ge2Se5 (P2(1)/n, a = 8.445(2) A, b = 12.302 A, c = 9.179 A, beta = 93.75(3) degrees, Z = 4) contains [Ge4Se10]8- ions with homonuclear Ge-Ge bonds (dGe-Ge = 2.432 A), which may be described as two ethane-like Se3Ge-GeSeSe2/2 fragments sharing two selenium atoms. Ba2Ge2Se5 (Pnma, a = 12.594(3) A, b = 9.174(2) A, c = 9.160(2) A, Z = 4) contains [Ge2Se5]4- anions built up by two edge-sharing GeSe4 tetrahedra, in which one terminal Se atom is replaced by a lone pair from the divalent germanium atom. The alkaline earth cations are arranged between the complex anions, each coordinated by eight or nine selenium atoms. Ba2Ge2Se5 is a mixed-valence compound with GeII and GeIV coexisting within the same anion. Sr2Ge2Se5 contains exclusively GeIII. These compounds possess electronic formulations that correspond to (Sr2+)2(Ge3+)2(Se2-)5 and (Ba2+)2- Ge2+Ge4+(Se2-)5. Calculations of the electron localization function (ELF) reveal clearly both the lone pair on GeII in Ba2Ge2Se5 and the covalent Ge-Ge bond in Sr2Ge2Se5. Analysis of the ELF topologies shows that the GeIII-Se and GeIV-Se covalent bonds are almost identical, whereas the GeII-Se interactions are weaker and more ionic in character.     

Electrochemical determination of thermodynamic properties of saturated solid solutions of Hg2GeSe3, Hg2GeSe4, Ag2Hg3GeSe6, and Ag1.4Hg1.3GeSe6 compounds in the Ag–Hg–Ge–Se system

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Triangulation of the Ag–Hg–Ge–Se system in the vicinity of GeSe2, HgSe, Hg2GeSe3, Hg2GeSe4, Ag2Hg3GeSe6, and Ag1.4Hg1.3GeSe6 compounds...     

LiGaGe2Se6: a new IR nonlinear optical material with low melting point

The new compound LiGaGe(2)Se(6) has been synthesized. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2 with a = 12.501(3) ?, b = 23.683(5) ?, c = 7.1196(14) ?, and Z = 8. The structure is a three-dimensional framework composed of corner-sharing LiSe(4), GaSe(4), and GeSe(4) tetrahedra. The compound exhibits a powder second harmonic generation signal at 2 μm that is about half that of the benchmark material AgGaSe(2) and possesses a wide band gap of about 2.64(2) eV. LiGaGe(2)Se(6) melts congruently at a rather low temperature of 710 °C, which indicates that bulk crystals can be obtained by the Bridgman-Stockbarger technique. According to a first-principles calculation, there is strong hybridization of the 4s and 4p orbitals of Ga, Ge, and Se around the Fermi level. The calculated birefractive index is Δn = 0.04 for λ ≥ 1 μm, and the calculated major SHG tensor elements are d(15) = 18.6 pm/V and d(33) = 12.8 pm/V. This new material is promising for application in IR nonlinear optics.     

Synthesis and characterization of two quaternary thorium chalcophosphates: Cs4Th2P6S18 and Rb7Th2P6Se21

Two new thorium chalcophosphates have been synthesized by the reactive flux method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, and Raman spectroscopy: Cs4Th2P6S18 (I); Rb7Th2P6Se21 (II). Compound I crystallizes as colorless blocks in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 12.303(4) A, b = 12.471(4) A, c = 12.541(4) A, alpha = 114.607(8) degrees, beta = 102.547(6) degrees, gamma = 99.889(7) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure consists of (Th2P6S18)(4-) layers separated by layers of cesium cations and only contains the (P2S6)(4-) building block. Compound II crystallizes as red blocks in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 11.531(3) A, b = 12.359(4) A, c = 16.161(5) A, alpha = 87.289(6) degrees, beta = 75.903(6) degrees, gamma = 88.041(6) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure consists of linear chains of (Th2P6Se21)(7-) separated by rubidium cations. Compound II contains both the (PSe4)(3-) and (P2Se6)(4-) building blocks. Both structures may be derived from two known rare earth structures where a rare earth site is replaced by an alkali or actinide metal to form these novel structures. Optical band gap measurements show that compound I has a band gap of 2.8 eV and compound II has a band gap of 2.0 eV. Solid-state Raman spectroscopy of compound I shows the vibrations expected for the (P2S6)(4-) unit. Raman spectroscopy of compound II shows the vibrations expected for both (PSe4)(3-) and (P2Se6)(4-) units. Our work shows the remarkable diversity of the actinide chalcophosphate system and demonstrates the phase space is still ripe to discover new structures.     

The related compounds MThTe3 (M = Mn, Mg) and ACuThSe3 (A = K, Cs): syntheses and characterization

Single crystals of MnThTe3 (1) and MgThTe3 (2) grow as small black plates from the stoichiometric reaction of the elements, the former at 1,000 degrees C and the latter at 900 degrees C with the aid of a Sn flux. Both compounds crystallize in the space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions a = 4.2783(6) A, b = 13.8618(11) A, and c = 9.9568(15) A for 1 and a = 4.2854(6) A, b = 14.042(2) A, and c = 9.9450(14) A for 2 at T = 153(2) K. KCuThSe3 (3) forms as red blocks from a stoichiometric mixture of K2Se, Cu, Th, and Se at 800 degrees C, and CsCuThSe3 (4) forms as yellow blocks from a stoichiometric mixture of Cs2Se3, Cu, Th, and Se at 850 degrees C. Compounds 3 and 4 also crystallize in the space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions a = 4.1832(8) A, b = 14.335(3) A, and c = 10.859(2) A for 3 and a = 4.2105(7) A, b = 15.715(3) A, and c = 10.897(2) A for 4 at 153(2) K. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural with each other as well as with several uranium analogues and comprise pseudolayered structures with slabs of corner-shared MTe6 octahedra alternating with slabs of cap- and edge-shared ThTe8 bicapped trigonal prisms. The slabs are bonded together through the sharing of edges and vertices of the various polyhedra to form three-dimensional structures. Compounds 3 and 4 are two-dimensional layered structures that are closely related to 1 and 2. In 3 and 4, ThSe6 octahedra form the same slabs as MTe6 in 1 and 2 and Cu atoms occupy the tetrahedral holes in the layers. Alkali metal cations occupy bicapped trigonal prismatic sites between the layers. Neither structure type has short Q-Q interactions, and therefore the oxidation states of all atoms are straightforwardly assigned on the assumption of Th4+. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on compound 1 show a ferromagnetic transition at 70 K and a magnetic moment of 5.9(2) muB per Mn ion, indicating low-spin Mn2+.     

Excision of the

The synthesis of new molybdenum cluster selenocyanide anionic complexes [Mo6Se8(CN)6]7- and [Mo6Se8(CN)6]6- is reported. The [Mo6Se8(CN)6]7- ion was obtained by excision of the cluster core [Mo6Se8] from a Chevrel phase in the reaction of Mo6Se8 with KCN at 650 degrees C; the [Mo6Se8(CN)6]6- ion is formed by oxidation of [Mo6Se8(CN)6]7-. New cluster salts K7[Mo6Se8(CN)6] x 8H2O (1) and (Me4N)4K2[Mo6Se8(CN)6] x 10H2O (2) were isolated and their crystal structures were solved. Compound 1 crystallizes in the cubic space group Fm3m (a=15.552(2) A, Z=4, V=3761.5(8) A3), compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (a=11.706(2), b=11.749(2), c=12.459(2) A, alpha=72.25(1), beta=77.51(1), gamma=63.04(1), Z=1, V=1448.5(4) A3). Compound 1 is paramagnetic due to an availability of 21 electrons per Mo6 cluster; cyclic voltammetry reveals a quasi-reversible transition [Mo6Se8(CN)6]7- <--> [Mo6Se8(CN)6]6-, E1/2=0.63 V.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of quaternary thorium selenophosphates: A2ThP3Se9 (A = K, Rb) and Cs4Th2P5Se17

Single crystals of A2ThP3Se9 (A = K (I), Rb (II)) and Cs4Th2PsSe17 (III) form from the reaction of Th and P in a molten A2Se3/Se (A = K, Rb, Cs) flux at 750 degrees C for 100 h. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4582(5) A, b = 16.5384(8) A, c = 10.2245(5) A, alpha = 107.637(1); beta = 91.652(1); gamma = 90.343(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound II crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with the unit cell parameters a = 10.5369(5) A, b = 16.6914(8) A, c = 10.2864(5) A, alpha = 107.614(1) degrees, beta = 92.059(1) degrees, gamma = 90.409(1) degrees, and Z = 2. These structures consist of infinite chains of corner-sharing [Th2Se14] units linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in two directions to form a ribbonlike structure along the [100] direction. Compounds I and II are isostructural with the previously reported K2UP3Se9. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 10.238(1) A, b = 32.182(2) A, c = 10.749(1) A; beta = 95.832(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Cs4Th2P5Se17 consists of infinite chains of corner-sharing, polyhedral [Th2Se13] units that are also linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in the [100] and [010] directions to form a layered structure. The structure of III features an (Se2)2- anion that is bound eta 2 to Th(2) and eta 1 to Th(1). This anion influences the coordination sphere of the 9-coordinate Th(2) atom such that it is best described as bicapped trigonal prismatic where the eta 2-bound anion occupies one coordination site. The composition of III may be formulated as Cs4Th2(P2Se6)5/2(Se2) due to the presence of the (Se2)2- unit. Raman spectra for these compounds and their interpretation are reported.     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26): a quaternary thorium selenophosphate containing the (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion

Orange crystals of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) were grown from the reaction of (232)Th and P in a Cs(2)Se(3)/Se molten salt flux at 750 degrees C. Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with the unit cell parameters: a = 12.0130(6), b = 14.5747(7), c = 27.134(1) A; Z = 8. The compound exhibits a three-dimensional structure, consisting of dimeric [Th(2)Se(13)] polyhedral units. The two crystallographically independent, nine-coordinate, bicapped trigonal prismatic thorium atoms share a triangular face to form the dimer, and each dimer edge-shares two selenium atoms with two other dimers to form kinked chains along the [010] direction. While this structure shares features of the previously reported Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26), including phosphorus in the 5+ oxidation state, careful inspection of the structure reveals that the selenophosphate anion that knits the structure together in three directions in both compounds is a unique (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion. The formula may be described best as [Cs(2)Th(2)(P(2)Se(9))(Se(2))(2)](2). The (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion features a nearly linear Se-Se-Se backbone with an angle of 171 degrees and Se-Se distances that are approximately 0.2-0.3 A longer than the typical single Se-Se bond. Magnetic studies confirm that this phase contains Th(IV). Raman data for this compound is reported, and structural comparisons will be drawn to its uranium analogue, Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26).     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Na2TiO3

The crystal structure of a sodium titanium oxide Na2TiO3 obtained by high temperature solid state reaction method was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Mr = 141.88, a = 9.885(1), b = 6.4133(8), c = 5.5048(7) , β = 115.50(3)o, V = 314.99(7) 3, Z = 4, Dc = 2.992 g/cm3, λ = 0.71073 , μ = 27.80 cm–1, F(000) = 272, T = 295 K, R = 0.0189 and wR = 0.0512 for 30 variables and 370 contributing unique reflections. The three-dimensional structure in Na2TiO3 is constructed by the TiO(1)4O(2) and NaO(1)3O(2)2 groups. The titanium atoms are grouped in the form of trigonal bipyramid and arranged along the c axis by sharing the edges. The structure is compared with other structures of related A2BO3 compounds.     

Rare-earth metal(III) oxide selenides M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) with discrete diselenide units: crystal structures, magnetic frustration, and other properties

The rare-earth metal(III) oxide selenides of the formula La4O4Se[Se2], Ce4O4Se[Se2], Pr4O4Se[Se2], Nd4O4Se[Se2], and Sm4O4Se[Se2] were synthesized from a mixture of the elements with selenium dioxide as the oxygen source at 750 degrees C. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to determine their crystal structures. The isostructural compounds M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Amm2 with cell dimensions a=857.94(7), b=409.44(4), c=1316.49(8) pm for M=La; a=851.37(6), b=404.82(3), c=1296.83(9) pm for M=Ce; a=849.92(6), b=402.78(3), c=1292.57(9) pm for M=Pr; a=845.68(4), b=398.83(2), c=1282.45(7) pm for M=Nd; and a=840.08(5), b=394.04(3), c=1263.83(6) pm for M=Sm (Z=2). In their crystal structures, Se2- anions as well as [Se-Se]2- dumbbells interconnect {[M4O4]4+} infinity 2 layers. These layers are composed of three crystallographically different, distorted [OM4]10+ tetrahedra, which are linked via four common edges. The compounds exhibit strong Raman active modes at around 215 cm(-1), which can be assigned to the Se-Se stretching vibration. Optical band gaps for La4O4Se[Se2], Ce4O4Se[Se2], Pr4O4Se[Se2], Nd4O4Se[Se2], and Sm4O4Se[Se2] were derived from diffuse reflectance spectra. The energy values at which absorption takes place are typical for semiconducting materials. For the compounds M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Pr, Nd, Sm) the fundamental band gaps, caused by transitions from the valence band to the conduction band (VB-CB), lie around 1.9 eV, while for M=Ce an absorption edge occurs at around 1.7 eV, which can be assigned to f-d transitions of Ce3+. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of Ce4O4Se[Se2] and Nd4O4Se[Se2] show Curie-Weiss behavior above 150 K with derived experimental magnetic moments of 2.5 micro B/Ce and 3.7 micro B/Nd and Weiss constants of theta p=-64.9 K and theta p=-27.8 K for the cerium and neodymium compounds, respectively. Down to 1.8 K no long-range magnetic ordering could be detected. Thus, the large negative values for theta p indicate the presence of strong magnetic frustration within the compounds, which is due to the geometric arrangement of the magnetic sublattice in form of [OM4]10+ tetrahedra.     

The germanium-selenium phase diagram

The binary germanium—selenium system was investigated by differential thermal analysis; from the results a temperature-composition diagram was constructed. The existence of the two compounds GeSe and GeSe₂ was confirmed. Furthermore, it could be shown that between 920±4 and 939±2 K GeSe transforms to a high-temperature modification which is slightly richer in selenium and decomposes peritectically at 948±2 K. On the germanium-rich side of the system a monotectic equilibrium exists at 1 177±2 K. Two thermal effects, one between 908 and 918 K, the other one at 851±3 K, were shown to be non-equilibrium effects. GeSe and GeSe₂ form a eutectic at 856±2 K and 56.0±0.5 at% Se. The congruent melting point of GeSe₂ was determined as 1 015±2 K. Between GeSe₂ and Se another eutectic exists at 485±1 K and 94.5±0.5 at% Se.

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Das Germanium-Selen-Phasendiagramm

Zusammenfassung Das Zweistoffsystem Germanium—Selen wurde mit Hilfe der Differenz-Thermo-Analyse untersucht; aus den Ergebnissen wurde einT-x-Zustandsdiagramm erstellt. Die Existenz der zwei Verbindungen GeSe und GeSe₂ wurde bestätigt. Weiters konnte gezeigt werden, daß zwischen 920±4 und 939±2 K GeSe sich in eine Hochtemperatur-Modifikation umwandelt, welche etwas selenreicher ist und bei 948±2 K peritektisch zerfällt. Auf der germaniumreichen Seite des Systems existiert bei 1 177±2 K ein monotektisches Gleichgewicht. Von zwei thermischen Effekten, einem zwischen 908 und 918 K und einem anderen bei 851±3 K, konnte gezeigt werden, daß sie auf fehlendes Gleichgewicht zurückzuführen sind. GeSe und GeSe₂ bilden ein Eutektikum bei 856±2 K und 56,0±0,5 At% Se. Der kongruente Schmelzpunkt von GeSe₂ wurde zu 1 015±2 K bestimmt. Zwischen GeSe₂ und Se existiert ein weiteres Eutektikum bei 485±1 K und 94,5±0,5 At% Se.

     

Structure determination and relative properties of novel noncentrosymmetric borates MM'4(BO3)3 (M = Na, M' = Ca and M = K, M' = Ca, Sr)

A series of novel noncentrosymmetric borates, MM'4(BO3)3 (M = Na, M' = Ca; M = K, M' = Ca, Sr), have been successfully synthesized via a standard solid-state reaction. The crystal structures have been determined by the SDPD (structure determination from powder diffraction) method. They crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric space group Ama2 with the following lattice parameters: a = 10.68004(11) A, b = 11.28574(11) A, c = 6.48521(6) A for NaCa4(BO3)3; a = 10.63455(10) A, b = 11.51705(11) A, c = 6.51942(6) A for KCa4(BO3)3; and a = 11.03843(8) A, b = 11.98974(9) A, c = 6.88446(5) A for KSr4(BO3)3. The fundamental building units are isolated BO3 anionic groups. Their second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients were one-half (NaCa4(BO3)3), one-third (KCa4(BO3)3), and two-thirds (KSr4(BO3)3) as large as that of KH2PO4 (KDP). The infrared and UV-vis spectra of the three compounds are discussed. Moreover, a comparison of the structures of these novel compounds and three other novel cubic compounds with the same formula, MM'4(BO3)3 (M = Li, M' = Sr; M = Na, M' = Sr, Ba), is presented here.     

六核钴原子簇化学 3: 一些含Co~6八面体簇骼的原子簇化合物的合成、结构和电化学性质

(R~8P)~4-nCoX~n(R=Ph,Et 等;X=C,B=1,2)与Na~E~x(E=S,Se;X=1,2)在DMF或DMF/乙醇介质中反应得到了一系列六核钴的原子簇化合物Co~6(μ~3-E)~8(PR~3)~6.这些化合物含有正规的或畸变的Co~6八面簇骼.化合物可以用I~2氧化生成正一价的簇合物而不改变簇骼的几何构型,反达来,正一价的簇合物也可以被苊烯钠还生成中性的簇合物.本文还研究了这些化合物的电化学性质并提出了氧化还原反应的电子传递过程.     

Tropochemical cell-twinning in the new quaternary bismuth selenides KxSn(6-2x)Bi(2+x)Se9 and KSn5Bi5Se13

The quaternary K(x)Sn(6-2x)Bi(2+x)Se(9) and KSn(5)Bi(5)Se(13) were discovered from reactions involving K(2)Se, Bi(2)Se(3), Sn, and Se. The single crystal structures reveal that K(x)Sn(6-2x)Bi(2+x)Se(9) is isostructural to the mineral heyrovskyite, Pb(6)Bi(2)S(9), crystallizing in the space group Cmcm with a = 4.2096(4) A, b = 14.006(1) A, and c = 32.451(3) A while KSn(5)Bi(5)Se(13) adopts a novel monoclinic structure type (C2/m, a = 13.879(4) A, b = 4.205(1) A, c = 23.363(6) A, beta = 99.012(4) degrees ). These compounds formally belong to the lillianite homologous series xPbS.Bi(2)S(3), whose characteristic is derivation of the structure by tropochemical cell-twinning on the (311) plane of the NaCl-type lattice with a mirror as twin operation. The structures of K(x)Sn(6-2x)Bi(2+x)Se(9) and KSn(5)Bi(5)Se(13) differ in the width of the NaCl-type slabs that form the three-dimensional arrangement. While cell-twinning of 7 octahedra wide slabs results in the heyrovskyite structure, 4 and 5 octahedra wide slabs alternate in the structure of KSn(5)Bi(5)Se(13). In both structures, the Bi and Sn atoms are extensively disordered over the metal sites. Some physicochemical properties of K(x)Sn(6-2x)Bi(2+x)Se(9) and KSn(5)Bi(5)Se(13) are reported.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of inorganic-organic hybrid vanadium selenites with zero- to three-dimensional structures: (1,10-phenanthroline)(2)V(2)SeO(7), (2,2'-bipyridine)VSeO(4), (4,4'-bipyridine)V(2)Se(2)O(8), and (4,4'-bipyridine)(2)V(4)Se(3)O(15).H(2)O

A family of inorganic-organic hybrid vanadium selenites with zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional structures, (1,10-phen)(2)V(2)SeO(7), (2,2'-bipy)VSeO(4), (4,4'-bipy)V(2)Se(2)O(8), and (4,4'-bipy)(2)V(4)Se(3)O(15).H(2)O (where phen = phenanthroline and bipy = bipyridine), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Different bidentate organodiamine ligands and reactant concentrations were used in the four reaction systems, which are responsible for the variety of structural dimensions of the compounds. (1,10-phen)(2)V(2)SeO(7) crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/n and cell parameters a = 8.6509(3) A,( )b = 7.8379(2) A, c = 34.0998(13) A, beta = 91.503(2) degrees, and Z = 4. (2,2'-bipy)VSeO(4) crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group C2/c and cell parameters a = 17.0895(12) A, b = 14.7707(10) A, c = 11.7657(8) A, beta = 131.354(3) degrees, and Z = 8. (4,4'-bipy)V(2)Se(2)O(8) crystallizes in a triclinic system with space group Ponemacr; and cell parameters a = 7.1810(10) A, b = 10.8937(13) A, c = 11.1811(15) A, alpha = 115.455(3) degrees, beta = 107.582(3) degrees, gamma = 91.957(4) degrees, and Z = 2. (4,4'-bipy)(2)V(4)Se(3)O(15).H(2)O crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group Pc and cell parameters a = 7.9889(9) A, b = 7.8448 A, c = 23.048(3) A, beta = 99.389(4) degrees, and Z = 2. (1,10-phen)(2)V(2)SeO(7) has an isolated structure, (2,2'-bipy)VSeO(4) has a chain structure, (4,4'-bipy)V(2)Se(2)O(8) has a layered structure, and (4,4'-bipy)(2)V(4)Se(3)O(15).H(2)O has a framework structure. The chains are constructed from VO(4)N(2) octahedra and SeO(3) pyramids, laced by organic ligands (2,2'-bipy). The layers consist of vanadium selenite chains [(VO)(2)(SeO(3))(2)]( infinity ), linked by 4,4'-bipy molecules. The framework is composed of vanadium selenite sheets [V(4)Se(3)O(16)]( infinity ), pillared by 4,4'-bipy molecules. All of the compounds are thermally stable to 300 degrees C, and the magnetic susceptibilities confirm the existence of tetravalent V atoms in the antiferromagnetic (4,4'-bipy)V(2)Se(2)O(8) complex and mixed tetravalent and pentavalent V atoms in the paramagnetic complex (4,4'-bipy)(2)V(4)Se(3)O(15).H(2)O.     

Syntheses and characterization of six quaternary uranium chalcogenides a(2)m(4)u(6)q(17) (a = rb or cs; m = pd or pt; q = s or se)

The A(2)M(4)U(6)Q(17) compounds Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17), Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)Se(17), Rb(2)Pt(4)U(6)Se(17), Cs(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17), Cs(2)Pd(4)U(6)Se(17), and Cs(2)Pt(4)U(6)Se(17) were synthesized by the high-temperature solid-state reactions of U, M, and Q in a flux of ACl or Rb(2)S(3). These isostructural compounds crystallize in a new structure type, with two formula units in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc. This structure consists of a network of square-planar MQ(4), monocapped trigonal-prismatic UQ(7), and square-antiprismatic UQ(8) polyhedra with A atoms in the voids. Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) is a typical semiconductor, as deduced from electrical resistivity measurements. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements on single crystals of Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) show a phase transition at 13 K, the result either of antiferromagnetic ordering or of a structural phase transition. Periodic spin-polarized band structure calculations were performed on Rb(2)Pd(4)U(6)S(17) with the use of the first principles DFT program VASP. Magnetic calculations included spin-orbit coupling. With U f-f correlations taken into account within the GGA+U formalism in calculating partial densities of states, the compound is predicted to be a narrow-band semiconductor with the smallest indirect and direct band gaps being 0.79 and 0.91 eV, respectively.     

BaGa2MQ6 (M = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se): a new series of promising IR nonlinear optical materials

The four compounds BaGa(2)MQ(6) (M = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se) have been identified as a new series of IR nonlinear optical (NLO) materials and are promising for practical applications. They are isostructural and crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric polar space group R3 of the trigonal system. Their three-dimensional framework is composed of corner-sharing (Ga/M)Q(4) (M = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se) tetrahedra with Ba(2+) cations in the cavities. The polar alignment of one (Ga/M)-Q2 bond for each (Ga/M)Q(4) tetrahedra along the c direction is conducive to generating a large NLO response, which was confirmed by powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) using a 2090 nm laser as fundamental wavelength. The SHG signal intensities of the two sulfides were close to that of AgGaS(2) and those for the two selenides were similar as that of AgGaSe(2). The large band gaps of 3.75(2) eV, 3.23(2) eV, 2.88(2) eV, and 2.22 (2) eV for BaGa(2)SiS(6), BaGa(2)GeS(6), BaGa(2)SiSe(6), and BaGa(2)GeSe(6), respectively, will be very helpful to increase the laser damage threshold. Moreover, all the four BaGa(2)MQ(6) (M = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se) compounds exhibit congruent-melting behavior, which indicates that bulk crystals needed for practical applications can be obtained by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The calculated birefringence indicates that these materials may be phase-matchable in the IR region and the calculated SHG coefficients agree with the experimental observations. According to our preliminary study, the BaGa(2)MQ(6) compounds represent a new series of promising IR nonlinear optical (NLO) materials which do not belong to the traditional chalcopyrite-type materials such as AgGaQ2 (Q = S, Se) and ZnGeP(2).     

Impressive structural diversity and polymorphism in the modular compounds ABi3Q5 (A = Rb, Cs; Q = S, Se, Te)

An outstanding example of structural diversity and complexity is found in the compounds with the general formula ABi(3)Q(5) (A = alkali metal; Q = chalcogen). gamma-RbBi(3)S(5) (I), alpha-RbBi(3)Se(5) (II), beta-RbBi(3)Se(5) (III), gamma-RbBi(3)Se(5) (IV), CsBi(3)Se(5) (V), RbBi(3)Se(4)Te (VI), and RbBi(3)Se(3)Te(2) (VII) were synthesized from A(2)Q (A = Rb, Cs; Q = S, Se) and Bi(2)Q(3) (Q = S, Se or Te) at temperatures above 650 degrees C using appropriate reaction protocols. gamma-RbBi(3)S(5) and alpha-RbBi(3)Se(5) have three-dimensional tunnel structures while the rest of the compounds have lamellar structures. gamma-RbBi(3)S(5), gamma-RbBi(3)Se(5), and its isostructural analogues RbBi(3)Se(4)Te and RbBi(3)Se(3)Te(2) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 11.744(2) A, b = 4.0519(5) A, c = 21.081(3) A, R1 = 2.9%, wR2 = 6.3% for (I), a = 21.956(7) A, b = 4.136(2) A, c = 12.357(4) A, R1 = 6.2%, wR2 = 13.5% for (IV), and a = 22.018(3) A, b = 4.2217(6) A, c = 12.614(2) A, R1 = 6.2%, wR2 = 10.3% for (VI). gamma-RbBi(3)S(5) has a three-dimensional tunnel structure that differs from the Se analogues. alpha-RbBi(3)Se(5) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with a = 36.779(4) A, b = 4.1480(5) A, c = 25.363(3) A, beta = 120.403(2) degrees, R1 = 4.9%, wR2 = 9.9%. beta-RbBi(3)Se(5) and isostructural CsBi(3)Se(5) adopt the space group P2(1)/m with a = 13.537(2) A, b = 4.1431(6) A, c = 21.545(3) A, beta = 91.297(3) degrees, R1 = 4.9%, wR2 = 11.0% for (III) and a = 13.603(3) A, b = 4.1502(8) A, c = 21.639(4) A, beta = 91.435(3) degrees, R1 = 6.1%, wR2 = 13.4% for (V). alpha-RbBi(3)Se(5) is also three-dimensional, whereas beta-RbBi(3)Se(5) and CsBi(3)Se(5) have stepped layers with alkali metal ions found disordered in several trigonal prismatic sites between the layers. In gamma-RbBi(3)Se(5) and RbBi(3)Se(4)Te, the layers consist of Bi(2)Te(3)-type fragments, which are connected in a stepwise manner. In the mixed Se/Te analogue, the Te occupies the chalcogen sites that are on the "surface" of the layers. All compounds are narrow band-gap semiconductors with optical band gaps ranging 0.4-1.0 eV. The thermal stability of all phases was studied, and it was determined that gamma-RbBi(3)Se(5) is more stable than the and alpha- and beta-forms. Electronic band calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level performed on alpha-, beta-, and gamma-RbBi(3)Se(5) support the presence of indirect band gaps and were used to assess their relative thermodynamic stability.