High-Pressure High-Temperature Synthesis of Mixed Nitridosilicatephosphates and Luminescence of AESiP3N7:Eu2+ (AE=Sr,Ba)

Tetrahedra-based nitrides with network structures have emerged as versatile materials with a broad spectrum of properties and applications. Both nitridosilicates and nitridophosphates are well-known examples of such nitrides that upon doping with Eu²⁺ exhibit intriguing luminescence properties, which makes them attractive for applications. Nitridosilicates and nitridophosphates show manifold structural variability; however, no mixed nitridosilicatephosphates except SiPN₃ and SiP2N4NH have been described so far. The compounds AESiP₃N₇ (AE=Sr, Ba) were synthesized by a high-pressure high-temperature approach using the multianvil technique (8 GPa, 1400–1700 °C) starting from the respective alkaline earth azides and the binary nitrides P₃N₅ and Si₃N₄. The latter were activated by NH₄F, probably acting as a mineralizing agent. SrSiP₃N₇ and BaSiP₃N₇ were obtained as single crystals. They crystallized in the barylite-1O (M=Sr) and barylite-2O structure types (M=Ba), respectively, with P and Si being occupationally disordered. Cation disorder was further supported by solid-state NMR spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping of BaSiP₃N₇ with atomic resolution. Upon doping with Eu²⁺, both compounds showed blue emission under UV excitation.     

Binary alkali metal compounds with the zintl anions [Ge9]4− and [Sn9]4−

The binary germanides M₁₂Ge₁₇ and M₄Ge₉ (M ? Na, K, Rb, Cs) and the stannides M₁₂Sn₁₇ and M₄Sn₉ (M ? K, Rb, Cs) were identified by a combination of direct synthesis, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray powder data and single crystal structure analysis. The M₁₂E₁₇ phases contain the cluster anions [E₉]^4? and [E₄]^4? in the ratio 1:2, forming a hierarchical structure with the cluster anions at the atomic positions of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn₂. Like the M₄E₄ phases, the M₄Ge₉ compounds are hierarchical derivatives of the cubic Cr₃Si structure but with [Ge₉]^4? anions. The thermogravimetric analyses give strong evidence for the existence of at least one more phase with [E₉]^4? and [E₄]^4? clusters and of the clathrate phases M₆E₁₃₆ in addition to the well-known M₈E₄₄□₂ chlathrates.     

Expansion of Germanato‐Polyoxovanadate Cluster Cores: Solvothermal Syntheses and Selected Properties of (trenH2)2[{M(tren)}4V15Ge6O48(H2O)] (M = Co and Zn)

Two germanato‐polyoxovanadates with the {V₁₅Ge₆O₄₈} cluster core are extended by covalent bonds to four transition metal amine complexes [M(tren)]²⁺ (M = Co and Zn, tren = tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine). The complexes have bonds to terminal atoms of the Ge₂O₇ units and such expansion of a germanato‐polyxovanadate was never observed before. The characterization of these compounds revealed the presence of two protonated tren molecules charge balancing the negative charges of the [{M(tren)}₄V₁₅Ge₆O₄₈(H₂O)]^4– anion.     

Polar-Covalent Bonding Beyond the Zintl Picture in Intermetallic Rare-Earth Germanides

A comparative chemical bonding analysis for the germanides La₂MGe₆ (M=Li, Mg, Al, Zn, Cu, Ag, Pd) and Y₂PdGe₆ is presented, together with the crystal structure determination for M=Li, Mg, Cu, Ag. The studied compounds adopt the two closely related structure types oS72-Ce₂(Ga_0.1Ge_0.9)₇ and mS36-La₂AlGe₆, containing zigzag chains and corrugated layers of Ge atoms bridged by M species, with La/Y atoms located in the biggest cavities. Chemical bonding was studied by means of the quantum chemical position-space techniques QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules), ELI-D (electron localizability indicator), and their basin intersections. The new penultimate shell correction (PSC0) method was introduced to adapt the ELI-D valence electron count to that expected from the periodic table of the elements. It plays a decisive role to balance the Ge−La polar-covalent interactions against the Ge−M ones. In spite of covalently bonded Ge partial structures formally obeying the Zintl electron count for M=Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, all the compounds reveal noticeable deviations from the conceptual 8−N picture due to significant polar-covalent interactions of Ge with La and M ≠ Li, Mg atoms. For M=Li, Mg a formulation as a germanolanthanate M[La₂Ge₆] is appropriate. Moreover, the relative Laplacian of ELI-D was discovered to reveal a chemically useful fine structure of the ELI-D distribution being related to polyatomic bonding features. With the aid of this new tool, a consistent picture of La/Y−M interactions for the title compounds was extracted.     

Diversity of Strontium Nitridogermanates(IV): Novel Sr4[GeN4], Sr8Ge2[GeN4], and Sr17Ge2[GeN3]2[GeN4]2

Single crystals of three new strontium nitridogermanates(IV) were grown in sealed niobium ampules from sodium flux. Dark red Sr₄[GeN₄] crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a = 9.7923(2) Å, b = 6.3990(1) Å, c = 11.6924(3) Å and β = 115.966(1)°. Black Sr₈Ge₂[GeN₄] contains Ge^4– anions coexisting with [Ge^IVN₄]^8– tetrahedra and adopts space group Cc with a = 10.1117(4) Å, b = 17.1073(7) Å, c = 10.0473(4) Å and β = 115.966(1)°. Black Sr₁₇Ge₆N₁₄ features the same anions alongside trigonal planar [Ge^IVN₃]^5– units. It crystallizes in P1 with a = 7.5392(1) Å, b = 9.7502(2) Å, c = 11.6761(2) Å, α = 103.308(1)°, β = 94.651(1)° and γ = 110.248(1)°.     

Open‐Shell 3d Transition Metal Nitridophosphates MIIP8N14 (MII=Fe,Co, Ni) by High‐Pressure Metathesis

3d transition metal nitridophosphates M^IIP₈N₁₄ (M^II=Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by high‐pressure metathesis indicating that this route might give a systematic access to a structurally rich family of M‐P‐N compounds. Their structures, which are stable in air up to at least 1273 K, were determined through powder X‐ray diffraction and consist of highly condensed tetra‐layers of PN₄ tetrahedra and MN₆ octahedra. Magnetic measurements revealed paramagnetic behavior of CoP₈N₁₄ and NiP₈N₁₄ down to low temperatures while, FeP₈N₁₄ exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at T_N=3.5(1) K. Curie–Weiss fits of the paramagnetic regime indicate that the transition metal cations are in a oxidation state +II, which was corroborated by Mössbauer spectroscopy for FeP₈N₁₄. The ligand field exerted by the nitride ions in CoP₈N₁₄ and NiP₈N₁₄ was determined from UV/Vis/NIR data and is comparable to that of aqua‐ligands and oxophosphates.     

Open‐Shell 3d Transition Metal Nitridophosphates MIIP8N14 (MII=Fe,Co, Ni) by High‐Pressure Metathesis

3d transition metal nitridophosphates M^IIP₈N₁₄ (M^II=Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by high‐pressure metathesis indicating that this route might give a systematic access to a structurally rich family of M‐P‐N compounds. Their structures, which are stable in air up to at least 1273 K, were determined through powder X‐ray diffraction and consist of highly condensed tetra‐layers of PN₄ tetrahedra and MN₆ octahedra. Magnetic measurements revealed paramagnetic behavior of CoP₈N₁₄ and NiP₈N₁₄ down to low temperatures while, FeP₈N₁₄ exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at T_N=3.5(1) K. Curie–Weiss fits of the paramagnetic regime indicate that the transition metal cations are in a oxidation state +II, which was corroborated by Mössbauer spectroscopy for FeP₈N₁₄. The ligand field exerted by the nitride ions in CoP₈N₁₄ and NiP₈N₁₄ was determined from UV/Vis/NIR data and is comparable to that of aqua‐ligands and oxophosphates.     

Nitro derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylbenzoaza-15-crown-5: synthesis,structures, and complexation with metal and ammonium cations

A number of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 with the macrocycle N atom conjugated with the benzene ring were obtained. The structural and complexing properties of these compounds were compared with those of model nitrobenzo- and N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 using X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The macrocyclic N atom of benzoazacrown ethers are characterized by a considerable contribution of the sp3-hybridized state and a pronounced pyramidal geometry; the crownlike conformation of the macrocycle is preorganized for cation binding, which facilitates complexation. The stability constants of the complexes of crown ethers with the NH₄ ⁺, EtNH₃ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions were determined by 1H NMR titration in MeCN-d₃. The most stable complexes were obtained with alkaline-earth metal cations, which is due to the higher charge density at these cations. The characteristics of the complexing ability of N-alkylnitrobenzoaza-15-crown-5 toward alkaline earth metal cations are comparable with analogous characteristics of nitrobenzo-15-crown-5 and are much better than those of N-(4-nitrophenyl)aza-15-crown-5.     

New compounds A 3+ Te6+M 33+ X 25+ O14 (A = Na, K; M = Ga, Al, Fe; X = P, As, V) with the Ca3Ga2Ge4O14 structure

Compounds A₃⁺Te⁶⁺M₃³⁺X₂⁵⁺O₁₄ (A = Na, K; M = Ga, Al, Fe; X = P, As, V) with the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ structure (sp. gr. P321) were prepared by solid-phase synthesis at 600–850°C in air. The compounds melt incongruently or decompose in the solid state.     

Structural study by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of the Na2Mn2(1 − x)Cd2xFe(PO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution

Na₂Mn_{2(1 − x)}Cd_2xFe(PO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) phosphates were prepared by solid state reaction and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the formation of a continuous solid solution which crystallizes in the alluaudite structural type characterized by the general formula X(2)X(1)M(1)M(2)₂(PO₄)₃. The cation distribution, deduced from a structure refinement of the x = 0, 0.5 and 1 compositions, is ordered in the X(2) sites and disordered in the remaining X(1), M(1) and M(2) sites. The magnetic susceptibility study revealed an antiferromagnetic behaviour of the studied compounds. The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the structural results and proved the exclusive presence of Fe³⁺ ions.     

A Pedagogical Illustration of the Determination of the Nature and Strength of Bonds in Crystalline Compounds from X-ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy Studies

This article describes a method used to teach students how X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy analysis can be used to obtain information about the nature and strength of the bonding in the crystalline compounds M^IM^III(SO₄)₂ (with M^I = K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and M^III = Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺). These sulfates form an isomorphic series. The influences of specific M^IM^III ions on the variation of the a and c parameters and on the position of IR absorption bands are described. Additionally, X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy studies of the double sulfates M^IM^III(SO₄)₂ show students the existence of [SO₄-M^III-SO₄]^– layers in the crystallized products; the covalent character of M^III-O attractions, which give cohesion in these layers; the existence of M^I layers between [SO₄-M^III-SO₄]^– layers, and the electrovalent character of M^I-O interactions.     

Sr3P3N7: Complementary Approach by Ammonothermal and High-Pressure Syntheses

Nitridophosphates exhibit an intriguing structural diversity with different structural motifs, for example, chains, layers or frameworks. In this contribution the novel nitridophosphate Sr₃P₃N₇ with unprecedented dreier double chains is presented. Crystalline powders were synthesized using the ammonothermal method, while single crystals were obtained by a high-pressure multianvil technique. The crystal structure of Sr₃P₃N₇ was solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and confirmed by powder X-ray methods. Sr₃P₃N₇ crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2/c. Energy-dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy were conducted to confirm the chemical composition, as well as the absence of NH_x functionality. The optical band gap was estimated to be 4.4 eV using diffuse reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy. Upon doping with Eu²⁺, Sr₃P₃N₇ shows a broad deep-red to infrared emission (λ_em=681 nm, fwhm≈3402 cm⁻¹) with an internal quantum efficiency of 42 %.     

Study of the Solid Solutions of LiNbO3and LiTaO3with Mn

Two unusual, extensive new solid solutions of LiNbO₃and LiTaO₃with MnO have been prepared, where 4Mn²⁺replace a combination of 3Li⁺and a pentavalent cation: Nb⁵⁺or Ta⁵⁺. The formulas are Li_1−xM_1−xMn_4xO₃, 0<x<0.13, forM=Nb and 0<x<0.23 forM=Ta. The solid solutions were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and density measurements. The manganese oxidation states were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Solvothermal synthesis of three new dimeric thiogermanates (enH)4Ge2S6, [Mn(en)3]2Ge2S6 and [Ni(en)3]2Ge2S6 from germanium dioxide and sulfur powder

Three new thiogermanates (enH)₄Ge₂S₆ (1) and [M(en)₃]₂Ge₂S₆ (M=Mn (2), Ni (3); en=ethylenediamine) were synthesized using GeO₂ and S₈ as starting materials in molar ratio of 1:0.5 under solvothermal conditions. These compounds suggest that the dimeric [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ anion is likely to be the main germanium-containing species in en system and it also might be preferred as counter anions by the transition metal complex cations in crystallization. The cations of [Mn(en)₃]²⁺ and [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ are even better mineralizers than the protonated amine of [enH]⁺. The crystal systems of [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ compounds are related to entities of cations and intermolecular reactions between cations and [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ anions. The compounds remove ethylenediamine and H₂S molecules in multi steps when being heated under nitrogen stream.     

Missing Member in the MIIMIIISi4N7 Compound Class: Carbothermal Reduction and Nitridation Synthesis Reveal Substitution of Nitrogen by Carbon and Oxygen in CaLu[Si4N7–2xCxOx]:Eu2+/Ce3+ (x≈0.3)

The nitridosilicate CaLu[Si₄N_7–2xC_xO_x] (x≈0.3) was synthesized by carbothermal reduction and nitridation starting from CaH₂, Lu₂O₃, graphite and amorphous Si₃N₄ at 1550 °C in a radiofrequency furnace. CaLu[Si₄N_7–2xC_xO_x] (x≈0.3) crystallizes isotypically to many previously known M^IIM^IIISi₄N₇ compounds in the space group P6₃mc, as was confirmed by Rietveld refinement based on powder X-ray diffraction data. Incorporation of carbon into the crystal structure as a result of the carbothermal synthesis route was confirmed by ¹³C and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy. For the first time in the M^IIM^IIISi₄N₇ compound class, complementary EDX measurements suggest that simultaneous incorporation of oxygen compensates for the negative charge excess induced by carbon, resulting in an adjusted sum formula, CaLu[Si₄N_7–2xC_xO_x] (x≈0.3). When excited with UV-to-blue light, CaLu[Si₄N_7–2xC_xO_x] (x≈0.3) shows an emission maximum in the blue spectral region (λ_em=484 nm; fwhm=4531 cm⁻¹) upon doping with Ce³⁺, whereas Eu²⁺-doped CaLu[Si₄N_7–2xC_xO_x] (x≈0.3) exhibits a yellow-green emission (λ_em=546 nm; fwhm=3999 cm⁻¹).     

The Crystal Structures of Eu5Ge3 and EuIrGe2

Eu₅Ge₃ and EuIrGe₂ were prepared from the elements in tantalum tubes, and their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray data. Eu₅Ge₃ adopts the structure of Cr₅B₃: I4/mcm, a = 799.0(1)pm, c = 1 536.7(1)pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0421 for 669 F² values and 16 variables. The structure of Eu₅Ge₃ contains isolated germanium atoms and germanium atom pairs with a Ge? Ge distance of 256.0 pm. Eu₅Ge₃ may be described as a Zintl phase with the formulation [5 Eu²⁺]¹⁰⁺[Ge]^4?[Ge₂]^6?. Magnetic investigations of Eu₅Ge₃ show Curie-Weiss behaviour above 50 K with a magnetic moment of μ_exp = 7.6(1) μ_B which is close to the free ion value of μ_eff = 7.94 μ_B for Eu²⁺. EuIrGe₂ is isotypic with CeNiSi₂: Cmcm, a = 445.5(2) pm, b = 1 737.4(4) pm, c = 426.6(1) pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0507 for 295 F² values and 18 variables. The structure of EuIrGe₂ is an intergrowth of ThCr₂Si₂-like slabs with composition EuIr₂Ge₂ and AlB₂-like slabs with composition EuGe₂ in an AB stacking sequence. Both slabs are distorted when compared to the symmetry of the prototypes. The Ge? Ge distance of 256.6 pm in the AlB₂-like fragment is comparable to that in Eu₅Ge₃.     

EuZn2Si2 and EuZn2Ge2 Grown from Zn or Ga(ln)/Zn Flux

Single crystals of the novel ternary compounds EuZn₂Si₂ and EuZn₂Ge₂ were grown from pure gallium, indium, or zinc metal used as a flux solvent. Crystal properties were characterized using X-ray single-crystal analyses via Gandolfi and Weissenberg film techniques and by four-circle X-ray single-crystal diffractometry. The new compounds crystallize with ternary derivative structures of BaAl₄, i.e., EuZn₂Si₂ with ThCr₂Si₂-type (a=0.42607(2) nm, c=1.03956(5) nm, I4/mmm, R₁=0.038) and EuZn₂Ge₂ with CaBe₂Ge₂-type (a=0.43095(2) nm, c=1.07926(6) nm, P4/nmm, R₁=0.067). XAS and magnetic measurements on EuZn₂Si₂ and EuZn₂Ge₂ revealed in both compounds the presence of Eu²⁺ ions carrying large magnetic moments, which order magnetically at low temperatures. The magnetic phase transition occurs at T_N=16 and 7.5 K for the silicide and the germanide, respectively. In EuZn₂Si₂ there occurs a spin reorientation at 13 K and furthermore some canting of antiferromagnetically ordered moments below about 10 K. In EuZn₂Ge₂ a canted antiferromagnetic structure is formed just at T_N.     

Pyroxene‐type compounds NaM3+Ge2O6, with M = Ga,Mn, Sc and In

The four title compounds, namely sodium gallium germanate, NaGaGe₂O₆, sodium manganese vanadate germanate, NaMnV_0.1Ge_1.9O₆, sodium scandium germanate, NaScGe₂O₆, and sodium indium germanate, NaInGe₂O₆, adopt the high‐temperature structure of the pyroxene‐type chain germanates, with monoclinic symmetry and space group C2/c. The lattice parameters, the individual and average bond lengths involving M1, and the distortion parameters scale well with the ionic radius of the M1 cation. NaGaGe₂O₆ has more distorted M1 sites and more extended tetrahedral chains than NaInGe₂O₆, in which a high degree of kinking is required to maintain the connection between the octahedral and tetrahedral building units of the pyroxene structure. An exceptional case is NaMnGe₂O₆, in which the strong Jahn–Teller effect of Mn³⁺ results in more distorted octahedral sites than expected according to linear extrapolation from the other NaM³⁺Ge₂O₆ pyroxenes. In contrast with the literature, minor incorporations of V⁵⁺ in the tetrahedral site and a corresponding reduction of Mn³⁺ to Mn²⁺ in the octahedral sites in the present sample lower the Jahn–Teller distortion and stabilize the Mn‐bearing pyroxene, even allowing its synthesis at ambient pressure.     

Electronic structure and low temperature thermoelectric properties of In₂₄M₈O₄₈ (M = Ge(4+), Sn(4+), Ti(4+), and Zr(4+))

The electronic structure and transport properties of In₂₄M₈O₄₈ (M = Ge⁴⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and Zr⁴⁺) have been studied by using the full‐potential linearized augmented plane‐wave method and the semiclassical Boltzmann theory, respectively. It is found that the magnitude of powerfactor with respect to relation time follows the order of In₂₄Sn₈O₄₈ > In₂₄Zr₈O₄₈ > In₂₄Ge₈O₄₈ > In₂₄Ti₈O₄₈. The largest powerfactor is 2.7 × 10¹² W/K²ms for In₂₄Sn₈O₄₈ at 60 K, which is nearly thirty times larger than those of conventional n‐type thermoelectric materials. The origin of the different thermoelectric behavior for these compounds is discussed from the electronic structure level. It is found that, at low temperature, the dopant strongly affect the bands near the Fermi level, which consequently leads to their different thermoelectric properties. The electronic configuration and the difference in atomic number between the dopant and the host atom also play an important role on the thermoelectric properties of In₂₄M₈O₄₈. Our calculations give a valuable insight on how to enhance the thermoelectric performance of In₃₂O₄₈. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

New Selenidogermanates with Transition-Metal Complexes as Counterions: Solvothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties of [Mn(en)3]2Ge2Se6 and [Fe(dien)2]2Ge2Se6

Summary. New selenidogermanates [Mn(en)₃]₂Ge₂Se₆ (en = ethylenediamine) and [Fe(dien)₂]₂Ge₂Se₆ (dien= diethylenetriamine) were synthesized by the reaction of germanium dioxide, elemental selenium, and transition metal chlorides in respectively en and dien. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with two formula units in the unit cell, and consist of discrete [Ge₂Se₆]⁴⁻ anions with transition metal complex cations as counter ions. The [Ge₂Se₆]⁴⁻ anion is formed by two GeSe₄ tetrahedra sharing a common edge to form a planar Ge₂Se₂ four-membered ring. The [Mn(en)₃]²⁺ and [Ni(dien)₂]²⁺ complex cations are in distorted octahedral geometry. In both selenidogermanates extensive N–H···Se hydrogen bonding contacts lead to 3-dimensional network structures. The band gaps of 2.36 and 2.25 eV were derived from optical absorption spectra. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the first compound decomposes in two steps under the nitrogen stream, while the second exhibits a one-step decomposition process.