The Crystal Structures of α- and β-F2 Revisited

The crystal structures of α-F₂ and β-F₂ have been reinvestigated using neutron powder diffraction. For the low-temperature phase α-F₂, which is stable below circa 45.6 K, the monoclinic space group C2/c with lattice parameters a=5.4780(12), b=3.2701(7), c=7.2651(17) Å, β=102.088(18)°, V=127.26(5) ų, mS8, Z=4 at 10 K can now be confirmed. The structure model was significantly improved, allowed for the anisotropic refinement of the F atom, and an F−F bond length of 1.404(12) Å was obtained, which is in excellent agreement with spectroscopic data and high-level quantum chemical predictions. The high-temperature phase β-F₂, stable between circa 45.6 K and the melting point of 53.53 K, crystallizes in the cubic primitive space group Pm n with the lattice parameter a=6.5314(15) Å, V=278.62(11) ų, cP16, Z=8, at 48 K. β-F₂ is isotypic to γ-O₂ and δ-N₂. The centres of gravity of the F₂ molecules are arranged like the atoms in the Cr₃Si structure type.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Zinc Borate Zn3B4O9

The new zinc borate Zn₃B₄O₉ was synthesized at high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 10 GPa and 1173 K in a Walker-type multianvil pressure device. It crystallizes in the space group P (no. 2) with a=5.5028(2) Å, b=6.7150(3) Å, c=7.8887(3) Å, α=83.99(1)°, β=73.38(1)°, γ=74.75(1)°, V=269.35(2) ų, and two formula units (Z=2) per unit cell. The structure was confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Zn₃B₄O₉ can be synthesized phase pure, which is shown with a Rietveld refinement. IR-spectroscopic data of a powder sample were collected.     

Reaction of Pertechnetate in Highly Alkaline Solution: Synthesis and Characterization of the Nitridotrioxotechnetate Ba[TcO3N]

The preparation of novel technetium oxides, their characterization and the general investigation of technetium chemistry are of significant importance, since fundamental research has so far mainly focused on the group homologues. Whereas the structure chemistry of technetium in strongly oxidizing media is dominated by the anion, our recent investigation yielded the new anion. Brown single crystals of Ba[TcO₃N] were obtained under hydrothermal conditions starting from Ba(OH)₂ ⋅ 8H₂O and NH₄[TcO₄] at 200 °C. crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group P2₁/n (a=7.2159(4) Å, b=7.8536(5) Å, c=7.4931(4) Å and β=104.279(2)°). The crystal structure of consists of isolated tetrahedra, which are surrounded by Ba²⁺ cations. XANES measurements complement the oxidation state +VII for technetium and Raman spectroscopic experiments on Ba[TcO₃N] single crystals exhibit characteristic Tc−O and Tc−N vibrational modes.     

Crystal Structure of the Ordered Double Perovskite,Sr2NiTeO6

The crystal structure of the ordered double perovskite Sr₂MnTeO₆ has been refined at ambient temperature from high resolution neutron and X‐ray powder diffraction data in the monoclinic space group I 1 2/m 1 with a = 5.6166(1) Å, b = 5.5807(1) Å, c = 7.8797(1) Å and β = 90.048(2)°. The structure is the result of out‐of‐phase (–) rotations of virtually undistorted NiO₆ and TeO₆ octahedra in the (0 – –) sense about two of the axes of the ideal cubic perovskite. Electron diffraction measurements have been used to confirm the proposed space group and structure.     

Three Crystal Structures,One Chemical Formula – Barium Dihydrogen‐hypodiphosphate(IV)‐dihydrate,BaH2P2O6·2H2O

Three polymorphs of barium dihydrogen‐hypodiphosphate(IV)‐dihydrate, BaH₂P₂O₆ · 2H₂O ( A , B and C ), were obtained and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (no. 14) with a = 7.459(1) Å, b = 8.066(1) Å, c = 12.460(2) Å, β = 91.27(1) ° and Z = 4. B crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) with a = 11.049(8) Å, b = 6.486(3) Å, c = 10.956(6) Å, β = 106.89(5) ° and Z = 4. C crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group C222₁ (no. 20) with a = 9.193(3) Å, b = 6.199(2) Å, c = 12.888(4) Å and Z = 4. Discrete [H₂P₂O₆]^2– units, barium cations and water molecules, held together by intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the type O–H ··· O, build up the structures of the three polymorphs. The phase purity of A and C was verified by powder diffraction measurements.     

A Revised Structure Model for the UCl6 Structure Type,Novel Modifications of UCl6 and UBr5, and a Comment on the Modifications of Protactinium Pentabromides

The redetermination of the crystal structure of trigonal UCl₆, which is the eponym for the UCl₆ structure type, showed that certain atomic coordinates had been incorrectly reported. This led to noticeably different U−Cl distances within the octahedral UCl₆ molecule (2.41 and 2.51 Å). Within the revised structure model presented here, which is based on single crystal data as well as quantum chemical calculations, all U−Cl distances are essentially equal within standard uncertainty (2.431(5), 2.437(5), and 2.439(6) Å). This room temperature modification, called rt-UCl₆, crystallizes in the trigonal space group P m1, No. 164, hP21, with a=10.907(2), c=5.9883(12) Å, V=616.9(2) ų, Z=3 at T=253 K. A new low-temperature (lt) modification of UCl₆ is also presented that was obtained by cooling a single crystal of rt-UCl_6. The phase change occurs between 150 and 175 K. lt-UCl₆ crystallizes isotypic to a low-temperature modification of SF₆ in the monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/m, No. 12, mS42, with a=17.847(4), b=10.8347(18), c=6.2670(17) Å, β=96.68(2)°, V=1203.6(5) ų, Z=6 at 100 K. The Cl anions form a close-packed structure corresponding to the α-Sm type with uranium atoms in the octahedral voids. During the synthesis of UBr₅ a new modification was obtained that crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P , No. 2, aP36, with a=10.4021(6), b=11.1620(6), c=12.2942(7) Å, α=68.3340(10)°, β=69.6410(10)° and γ=89.5290(10)°, V=1231.84(12) ų, Z=3 at T=100 K. In this structure the UBr₅ units are dimerized to U₂Br₁₀ molecules. The Br anions also form a close-packed structure of the α-Sm type with adjacent uranium atoms in the octahedral voids. Comparisons of the crystal structures of the compounds MX₅ (M=Pa, U; X=Cl, Br) show that the crystal structure of monoclinic α-PaBr₅ is probably not correct.     

Neutronenbeugung an der Tieftemperaturmodifikation von Rubidiumdeuteroamid

Neutron Diffraction of the Low Temperature Modification of Rubidium Deutero Amide A polycrystalline sample of RbND₂ was prepared by reaction of liquid ND₃ and Rb (320 K, 4 d). Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction data collected on the E2 (HMI-BENSC, Berlin) yielded the deuterium positions and allowed the temperature factors of all atoms to be refined anisotropically: space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, a = 4.846(1) Å, b = 4.136(1) Å, c = 6.396(2) Å, β = 98.051(7)°, N(I/σ_(I) > 1) = 179, N(Var.) = 25, R_P = 0.025, wR_P = 0.032, R_B(I/σ_(I) > 1) = 0.095. In a monoclinic distorted rock salt structure the amide ions are oriented antiferroelectrically in almost planar zick-zack chains.     

Structure Elucidation of a Melam–Melem Adduct by a Combined Approach of Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction and DFT Calculations

Melam-melem (1:1), an adduct compound that can be obtained from dicyandiamide in autoclave reactions at 450 °C and elevated ammonia pressure, had previously been described based on mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, but only incompletely characterized. The crystal structure of this compound has now been elucidated by means of synchrotron microfocus diffraction and subsequent quantum-chemical structure optimization applying DFT methods. The structure was refined in triclinic space group P based on X-ray data. Cell parameters of a=4.56(2), b=19.34(8), c=21.58(11) Å, α=73.34(11)°, β=89.1(2)°, and γ=88.4(2)° were experimentally obtained. The resulting cell volumes agree with the DFT optimized value to within 7 %. Molecular units in the structure form stacks that are interconnected by a vast array of hydrogen bridge interactions. Remarkably large melam dihedral angles of 48.4° were found that allow melam to interact with melem molecules from different stack layers, thus forming a 3D network. π-stacking interactions appear to play no major role in this structure.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structure of Na3B20, determined and refined from X‐ray and Neutron Powder Data

At 1050 ?C boron combines with sodium forming a boride of formerly unknown composition and crystal structure. The investigation of the homogeneous, monophasic, and crystalline powder was performed using X‐ray (23 ?C) and neutron (–271.5 ?C) diffraction methods. The structure solution led to an unusual arrangement of boron atoms, characterized by two different types of polyhedra, a distorted pentagonal bipyramid and a distorted octahedron. The Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure was carried out in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm (X‐ray: a = 18.6945(6) Å, b = 5.7009(2) Å, c = 4.1506(1) Å, V = 442.35(1) ų, Z = 2; R_wp = 0.087, R_p = 0.067).     

An Unexpected New Member of the Family of Lithium Oxonitridosilicates – Li7Si2NO6

With Li₇Si₂NO₆, a new member of the family of lithium oxonitridosilicates with a so far unseen structure type could be synthesized. Using a high-temperature solid-state reaction in open nickel crucibles under nitrogen flow, it was possible to obtain single crystals from the starting materials SiO₂, Li₃N, and Li₂O at temperatures of 900 °C. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data yielded lattice parameters of a=5.0934(2), b=7.4128(2), c=8.5918(2) Å, α=75.16(1)°, β=87.36(1)°, γ=73.01(1)° and a cell volume of V=299.75(2) ų. The compound, crystallizing in the triclinic space group P (no. 2), consists of a highly condensed anionic network built up by [SiNO₃]-, [LiO₄]-, and [LiN₂O₂]-tetrahedra as well as lithium in octahedral coordination as completing cation. With an activation barrier of 695 meV for lithium migration, Li₇Si₂NO₆ is a potential lithium-ion conductor. The structure allows a classification not only as a sorosilicate but also as a tecto-lithosilicate and most precisely as a lithium oxonitridolithosilicate, when the different coordinations of the lithium ions are taken into account. Interestingly, the new compound is none of the several proposed representatives of the lithium oxonitridosilicates, thus expanding this substance class unexpectedly.     

Synthesis and Characterization of [Br3][MF6] (M=Sb,Ir), as well as Quantum Chemical Study of [Br3]+ Structure,Chemical Bonding,and Relativistic Effects Compared with [XBr2]+ (X=Br,I, At,Ts) and [TsZ2]+ (Z=F,Cl, Br,I, At,Ts)

[Br₃][SbF₆] and [Br₃][IrF₆] were synthesized by interaction of BrF₃ with Sb₂O₃ or iridium metal, respectively. The former compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with a=11.9269(7), b=11.5370(7), c=12.0640(6) Å, V=1660.01(16) ų, Z=8 at 100 K. The latter compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P (No. 2) with a=5.4686(5), b=7.6861(8), c=9.9830(9) Å, α=85.320(8), β=82.060(7), γ=78.466(7)°, V=406.56(7) ų, Z=2 at 100 K. Both compounds contain the cation [Br₃]⁺, which has a bent structure and is coordinated by octahedron-like anions [MF₆]⁻ (M=Sb, Ir). Experimentally obtained cell parameters, bond lengths, and angles are confirmed by solid-state DFT calculations, which differ from the experimental values by less than 2 %. Relativistic effects on the structure of the tribromonium(1+) cation are studied computationally and found to be small. For the heaviest analogues containing At and Ts, however, pronounced relativistic effects are found, which lead to a linear structure of the polyhalogen cation.     

The Periodate‐Based Double Perovskites M2NaIO6 (M = Ca,Sr, and Ba)

The crystal structures of the M₂NaIO₆ series (M = Ca, Sr, Ba), prepared at 650 °C by ceramic methods, were determined from conventional laboratory X‐ray powder diffraction data. Synthesis and crystal growth were made by oxidizing I^– with O₂^(air) to I⁷⁺ followed by crystal growth in the presence of NaF as mineralizator, or by the reaction of the alkali‐metal periodate with the alkaline‐earth metal hydroxide. All three compounds are insoluble and stable in water. The barium compound crystallizes in the cubic space group Fm3m (no. 225) with lattice parameters of a = 8.3384(1) Å, whereas the strontium and calcium compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) with a = 5.7600(1) Å, b = 5.7759(1) Å, c = 9.9742(1) Å, β = 125.362(1)° and a = 5.5376(1) Å, b = 5.7911(1) Å, c = 9.6055(1) Å, β = 124.300(1)°, respectively. The crystal structure consists of either symmetric (for Ba) or distorted (for Sr and Ca) perovskite superstructures. Ba₂NaIO₆ contains the first perfectly octahedral [IO₆]^5– unit reported. The compounds of the ortho‐periodates are stable up to 800 °C. Spectroscopic measurements as well as DFT calculations show a reasonable agreement between calculated and observed IR‐ and Raman‐active vibrations.     

(Ba6O)(ReN3)2: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Physical Properties

The reaction of a mixture of barium and rhenium (3:1) at 850 °C under flowing nitrogen yielded the nitride‐oxide (Ba₆O)(ReN₃)₂ (R (No. 148); a = 8.1178(2) Å, c = 17.5651(4) Å; V = 1002.43(5) Å³; Z = 6). According to a structure refinement on X‐ray powder diffraction data, this compound is isostructural to a recently described nitride‐oxide of osmium of analogous composition. The structure consists of sheets of trigonal ReN₃ units and trigonal antiprismatic Ba₆O groups. The Ba–O distance of 2.73 Å is close to the sum of the respective ionic radii. The trigonal ReN₃^5– nitride anion displays a Re–N bond length of 1.94 Å, and is planar within the limits of experimental error. The constitution of the anion was confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopy. The nitride‐oxide is stable up to 1000 °C, semiconducting (σ = 4.57 × 10^–3 Ω^–1 · cm^–1 at RT), and paramagnetic down to 25 K. A Curie–Weiss analysis resulted in a magnetic moment of μ = 0.68 μ_B per rhenium atom.     

Ammonothermal Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Vibrational Properties of the Doubly Deprotonated Calcium Guanidinate,CaC(NH)3

We report the synthesis of the doubly deprotonated calcium guanidinate, CaC(NH)₃, from liquid ammonia and its crystal structure as determined from powder X-ray and neutron diffraction, and confirmed using CNH elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy data. CaC(NH)₃ crystallizes in the hexagonal system with space group P6₃/m (no. 176) with Z = 2 and a = 5.2666(13) Å, c = 6.5881(6) Å and V = 158.25(4) ų. We also compare the structural similarities and differences of this phase with the isotypical strontium and ytterbium compounds.     

Ab initio structure and vibration-rotation dynamics of germylene,GeH2

Accurate structure and potential energy surface of germylene, GeH₂, in its ground electronic state ¹A₁ were determined from ab initio calculations using the coupled-cluster approach in conjunction with the correlation-consistent basis sets up to sextuple-zeta quality. The Born-Oppenheimer equilibrium structural parameters for the ¹A₁ state are estimated to be r_e(GeH) = 1.5793 Å and ∠_e(HGeH) = 91.19^∘. The term value T_e for the lowest excited electronic state ã³B₁ of GeH₂ is predicted to be 9140 cm^–1. The vibration-rotation energy levels for the ¹A₁ state of the ⁷⁴GeH₂, ⁷⁴GeD₂, ⁷²GeH₂, and ⁷⁰GeH₂ isotopologues were determined using a variational approach and compared with the experimental data. The role of the core-electron correlation, higher-order valence-electron correlation, scalar relativistic, spin-orbit, and adiabatic effects for prediction of the structure and vibration-rotation dynamics of the GeH₂ molecule is discussed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Inverse-Tunable Red Luminescence and Electronic Properties of Nitridoberylloaluminates Sr2−xBax[BeAl3N5]:Eu2+ (x=0–2)

The nitridoberylloaluminate Ba₂[BeAl₃N₅]:Eu²⁺ and solid solutions Sr_2−xBa_x[BeAl₃N₅]:Eu²⁺ (x=0.5, 1.0, 1.5) were synthesized in a hot isostatic press (HIP) under 50 MPa N₂ atmosphere at 1200 °C. Ba₂[BeAl₃N₅]:Eu²⁺ crystallizes in triclinic space group (no. 2) (Z=2, a=6.1869(10), b=7.1736(13), c=8.0391(14) Å, α=102.754(8), β=112.032(6), γ=104.765(7)°), which was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The lattice parameters of the solid solution series have been obtained from Rietveld refinements and show a nearly linear dependence on the atomic ratio Sr : Ba. The electronic properties and the band gaps of M₂[BeAl₃N₅] (M=Sr, Ba) have been investigated by a combination of soft X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Upon irradiation with blue light (440–450 nm), the nitridoberylloaluminates exhibit intense orange to red luminescence, which can be tuned between 610 and 656 nm (fwhm=1922–2025 cm⁻¹ (72–87 nm)). In contrast to the usual trend, the substitution of the smaller Sr²⁺ by larger Ba²⁺ leads to an inverse-tunable luminescence to higher wavelengths. Low-temperature luminescence measurements have been performed to exclude anomalous emission.     

Structure Determination of a Low Temperature Phase of Calcium and Strontium Amide by means of Neutron Powder Diffraction on Ca(ND2)2 and Sr(ND2)2

Calcium and Strontium amide are ionic compounds crystallising in a tetragonally distorted anatase structure-type at ambient temperatures. The amide ions (NH₂^–/ND₂^–) resemble water molecules in structure and in charge distribution. By means of temperature dependent neutron diffraction investigations weak super-structure reflections were observed at temperatures below 90 K (Ca(ND₂)₂) and 60 K (Sr(ND₂)₂), respectively, indicating the existence of a so far unknown low-temperature (LT) phase. Using high resolution neutron powder diffraction at temperatures below 10 K the structure was determined for both compounds. The LT-phases are isotypic and crystallise monoclinic in the space group P2₁/c with four formula units within the unit cell: Ca(ND₂)₂ at 10 K a = 7.257(2) Å, b = 7.2434(2) Å, c = 6.300(1) Å, β = 124.73(1)° Sr(ND₂)₂ at 5 K a = 7.6950(1) Å, b = 7.68374(9) Å, c = 6.6324(3) Å, β = 124.917(2)°. Their structure is closely related to the tetragonal HT-phase, but an ordering of the amide ions occurs due to freezing of a lattice mode which is dominated by the librational motion of the amide ions in the {1 0 0} planes of the HT-phase.     

Synthesis,Structure, Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy,and Electronic Structures of the Phosphidotrielates Li3AlP2 and Li3GaP2

The lithium phosphidoaluminate Li₉AlP₄ represents a promising new compound with a high lithium ion mobility. This triggered the search for new members in the family of lithium phosphidotrielates, and the novel compounds Li₃AlP₂ and Li₃GaP₂, obtained directly from the elements via ball milling and subsequent annealing, are reported here. It was unexpectedly found through band structure calculations that Li₃AlP₂ and Li₃GaP₂ are direct band gap semiconductors with band gaps of 3.1 and 2.8 eV, respectively. Rietveld analyses reveal that both compounds crystallize isotypically in the orthorhombic space group Cmce (no. 64) with lattice parameters of a=11.5138(2), b=11.7634(2) and c=5.8202(1) Å for Li₃AlP₂, and a=11.5839(2), b=11.7809(2) and c=5.8129(2) Å for Li₃GaP₂. The crystal structures feature TrP₄ (Tr=Al, Ga) corner- and edge-sharing tetrahedra, forming two-dimensional layers. The lithium atoms are located between and inside these layers. The crystal structures were confirmed by MAS-NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Bonding, and Properties of (Ba6O)(OsN3)2

The new barium nitridoosmate oxide (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ was prepared by reacting elemental barium and osmium (3:1) in nitrogen at 815–830 °C. The crystal structure of (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ as determined by laboratory powder X‐ray diffraction ( , No 148: a=b=8.112(1) Å, c=17.390(1) Å, V=991.0(1) ų, Z=3), consists of sheets of trigonal OsN₃ units and trigonal‐antiprismatic Ba₆O groups, and is structurally related to the “313 nitrides” AE₃MN₃ (AE=Ca, Sr, Ba, M=V–Co, Ga). Density functional calculations, using a hybrid functional, likewise indicate the existence of oxygen in the Ba₆ polyhedra. The oxidation state 4+ of osmium is confirmed, both by the calculations and by XPS measurements. The bonding properties of the OsN₃^5? units are analyzed and compared to the Raman spectrum. The compound is paramagnetic from room temperature down to T=10 K. Between room temperature and 100 K it obeys the Curie–Weiss law (μ=1.68 μ_B). (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ is semiconducting with a good electronic conductivity at room temperature (8.74×10^?2 Ω^?1 cm^?1). Below 142 K the temperature dependence of the conductivity resembles that of a variable‐range hopping mechanism.     

Die Kristallstruktur von Bariumamid,Ba(NH2)2

The Crystal Structure of Barium Amide, Ba(NH₂)₂ Single crystals of barium amide can be obtained by the reaction of barium metal with ammonia during long times. At ? 70° C Ba reacts with the solvent very slowly. The resulting amide then is well crystallized. Crystals can also be grown at 125° C in a temperature grakient. In both cases 3 to 4 months are necessary to get crystals of about 0.1 mm in diameter. Barium amide is monoclinic a = 8.951 Å, b = 12.67 Å, c = 7.037 Å, und β = 123.5° with 8 formula units. The space group is Cc. All atoms occupy the general position. The structure of Ba(NH₂)₂ shows two different Ba atoms with respect to their surrounding. One of them is coordinated irregularly by 8 amide ions, the other by 7 amide ions. The nitrogen atoms have 11 neighbours to each other. This means, that they are relatively close packed. Barium amide has a coorkination type structure, whereas the low symmetry of the arrangement of the different ions may be explained by the dipole chracter of the anion, and by packing effects.