Synthesis, crystal structure and mono-dimensional thallium ion conduction of TlFe0.22Al0.78As2O7

A new solid solution TlFe_0.22Al_0.78As₂O₇ has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The structure of the title compound has been determined from a single-crystal X-ray diffraction and refined to final values of the reliability factors: R(F²)=0.030 and wR(F²)=0.081 for 1343 independent reflections with I>2σ(I). It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, with a=6.296(2) Å, b=6.397(2) Å, c=8.242(2) Å, α=96.74(2)°, β=103.78(2)°, γ=102.99(3)°, V=309.0(2) Å³ and Z=2. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework containing (Fe/Al)O₆ octahedra connected through As₂O₇ groups. The metallic units and diarsenate groups share oxygen corners to form a three-dimensional framework with interconnected tunnels parallel to the a, b and c directions, where Tl⁺ cations are located. The ionic conductivity measurements are performed on pellets of the polycrystalline powder. At 683 K, The conductivity value is 5.23×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ and the ionic jump activation energy is 0.656 eV. The bond valence analysis reveals that the ionic conductivity is ensured by Tl⁺ along the [001] direction.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

Synthesis crystal structure and ionic conductivity of Ca0.5Bi3V2O10 and Sr0.5Bi3V2O10

Two new compounds Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ have been synthesized in the ternary system: MO-Bi₂O₃-V₂O₅ system (M=M²⁺). The crystal structure of Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group and Z=2, with cell parameters a=7.1453(3) Å, b=7.8921(3) Å, c=9.3297(3) Å, α=106.444(2)°, β=94.088(2)°, γ=112.445(2)°, V=456.72(4) Å³. Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ is isostructural with Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, with, a=7.0810(2) Å, b=7.8447(2) Å, c=9.3607(2) Å, α=106.202(1)°, β=94.572(1)°, γ=112.659(1)°, V=450.38(2) Å³ and its structure has been refined by Rietveld method using powder X-ray data. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of (Bi₂O₂) along c-axis formed by linkage of BiO₈ and BiO₆ polyhedra interconnected by MO₈ polyhedra forming 2D layers in ac plane. The vanadate tetrahedra are sandwiched between these layers. Conductivity measurements give a maximum conductivity value of 4.54×10⁻⁵ and 3.63×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ for Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, respectively at 725 °C.     

New one-dimensional uranyl and neptunyl iodates: crystal structures of K3[(UO2)2(IO3)6](IO3)·H2O and K[NpO2(IO3)3]·1.5H2O

The uranyl and neptunyl(VI) iodates, K₃[(UO₂)₂(IO₃)₆](IO₃)·H₂O (1) and K[NpO₂(IO₃)₃]·1.5H₂O (2), have been prepared and crystallized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The structures of 1 and 2 both contain one-dimensional _∞¹[AnO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻(An=U,Np) ribbons that consist of approximately linear actinyl(VI) cations bound by iodate anions to yield AnO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. The AnO₇ units are linked by bridging iodate anions to yield chains that are in turn coupled by additional iodate anions to yield ribbons. The edges of the ribbons are terminated by monodentate iodate anions. For 1 and 2, K⁺ cations and water molecules separate the ribbons from one another. In addition, isolated iodate anions are also found between _∞¹[UO₂(IO₃)₃]¹⁻ ribbons in 1. In order to aid in the assignment of oxidation states in neptunyl containing compounds, a bond-valence sum parameter of 2.018 Å for Np(VI) bound exclusively to oxygen has been developed with b=0.37 Å. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 1, triclinic, , a=7.0609(4) Å, b=14.5686(8)  Å, c=14.7047(8)  Å, α=119.547(1)°, β=95.256(1)°, γ=93.206(1)°, Z=2, R(F)=2.49% for 353 parameters with 6414 reflections with I>2σ(I); (203 K, MoKα, λ=0.71073): 2, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=7.796(4)  Å, b=7.151(3)  Å, c=21.79(1)  Å, β=97.399(7)°, Z=4, R(F)=6.33% for 183 parameters with 2451 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and vibrational spectroscopy of the acidic pyrophosphate KMg0.5H2P2O7·H2O

The hydrated potassium hemimagnesium dihydrogen pyrophosphate KMg_0.5H₂P₂O₇·H₂O was synthesized. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group (n. 2), Z=2, with the following unit-cell parameters: a=6.8565(2) Å, b=7.3621(3) Å, c=7.6202(3) Å, α=81.044(2)°, β=72.248(2)°, γ=83.314(3)°, V=360.90(2) Å³. The structure was obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, and a full-matrix least-squares refinement based on F² gave a final R index of =0.0368 (wR=0.0975), utilizing 1446 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). The crystal packing consists in a three-dimensional network made by layers parallel to ab plane of PO₄ double tetrahedra and MgO₆ octahedra, linked by hydrogen bonds, while K atoms form complex coordination within cavities between tetrahedra and octahedra. The dihydro-pyrophosphate anion (H₂P₂O₇)²⁻ shows bent eclipsed conformation and the Mg²⁺ ion lies on inversion center. No coincidences observed between most of infrared and Raman spectral bands confirmed the centrosymmetric structure of the title compound; the vibrational spectra point to a bent POP bridge angle.     

Synthesis and characterization of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds with a pillared layer structure: Ga2(4,4′-bpy)(XO4)2 (X=P, As)

Two organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(PO₄)₂, 1, and Ga₂(4,4′-bpy)(AsO₄)₂, 2, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the triclinic space group (No. 2) with a=4.9723(9) Å, b=5.770(1) Å, c=11.812(2) Å, α=78.268(3)°, β=89.159(3)° γ=88.344(3)°, V=331.7(2) Å³, Z=1, and R1=0.0377 for 1, and a=5.1111(7) Å, b=5.9327(8) Å, c=11.788(2) Å, α=79.497(2)°, β=88.870(2)°, γ=88.784(2)°, V=351.3(2) Å³, and R1=0.0264 for 2. The structure consists of neutral sheets of GaXO₄ (X=P or As) which are pillared through 4,4′-bipyridine ligands. Each oxide layer, which is formed only by four-membered rings, is constructed from corner-sharing GaO₄N trigonal bipyramids and XO₄ tetrahedra. The title compounds are two of the few examples in which the gallium atoms are exclusively five-coordinate.     

Two isotypic diphosphates LiM2H3(P2O7)2 (M=Ni, Co) containing ferromagnetic zigzag MO6 chains

Two new isotypic phosphates LiNi₂H₃(P₂O₇)₂ (1) and LiCo₂H₃(P₂O₇)₂ (2) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the lattice: a=10.925(2) Å, b=12.774(3) Å, c=8.8833(18) Å, β=123.20(3)° for 1 and a=10.999(2) Å, b=12.863(3) Å, c=8.9419(18) Å, β=123.00(3)° for 2. The transition metal atoms are octahedrally coordinated, whereas the lithium and phosphorus atoms are all tetrahedrally coordinated. As the lithium-induced derivatives of MH₂P₂O₇ (M=Ni, Co), 1 and 2 possess the same structure with MH₂P₂O₇ in terms of topology, comprising the MO₆ zigzag chains and P₂O₇ as the interchain groups. The magnetisms of 1 and 2 could be interpreted by adopting a quasi-one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain model as that in their parent compounds: both 1 and 2 have ferromagnetic (FM) NiO₆/CoO₆ chains; 1 shows a FM cluster glass behavior at low temperatures, which is originated from the possible antiferromagnetic (AFM) next-nearest-neighbour intrachain interactions; 2 shows a AFM ordering at T_N=2.6 K and a metamagnetic transition at H_C=4.2 kOe at 1.8 K.     

Synthesis and characterization of La4MnCu6S10

The new quaternary sulfide La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃, MnS, and CuS₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in a new structure type in space group of the triclinic system with one formula unit in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=6.6076(3) Å, b=7.3247(3) Å, c=8.7844(4) Å, α=83.457(1)°, β=74.398(1)°, γ=89.996(1)°, and V=406.61(3) Å³. The structure of La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaS₇ monocapped trigonal prisms, MnS₆ octahedra, and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Band gaps of 2.49 eV in the [100] direction and 2.53 eV in the [001] direction have been derived from optical absorption measurements on a La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ single crystal.     

Synthesis and properties of pyrazine-pillared Ag3Mo2O4F7 and AgReO4 layered phases

The new pyrazine-pillared solids, AgReO₄(C₄H₄N₂) (I) and Ag₃Mo₂O₄F₇(C₄H₄N₂)₃ (C₄H₄N₂=pyrazine, pyz) (II), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods at 150 °C and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction (I—P2₁/c, No. 14, Z=4, a=7.2238(6) Å, b=7.4940(7) Å, c=15.451(1) Å, β=92.296(4)°; II—P2/n, No. 13, Z=2, a=7.6465(9) Å, b=7.1888(5) Å, c=19.142(2) Å, β=100.284(8)°), thermogravimetric analysis, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence measurements. Individual Ag(pyz) chains in I are bonded to three perrhenate ReO₄^- tetrahedra per layer, while each layer in II contains sets of three edge-shared Ag(pyz) chains (π-π stacked) that are edge-shared to four Mo₂O₄F₇^3- dimers. A relatively small interlayer spacing results from the short length of the pyrazine pillars, and which can be removed at just slightly above their preparation temperature, at >150-175 °C, to produce crystalline AgReO₄ for I, and Ag₂MoO₄ and an unidentified product for II. Both pillared solids exhibit strong orange-yellow photoemission, at 575 nm for I and 560 nm for II, arising from electronic excitations across (charge transfer) band gaps of 2.91 and 2.76 eV in each, respectively. Their structures and properties are analyzed with respect to parent ‘organic free’ silver perrhenate and molybdate solids which manifest similar photoemissions, as well as to the calculated electronic band structures.     

A sodium gallophosphate with an original tunnel structure: NaGa2(OH)(PO4)2

A new sodium gallophosphate, NaGa₂(OH)(PO₄)₂, has been obtained by hydrothermal synthesis under autogeneous pressure at 473 K. It crystallizes in the P2₁/n space group with the cell parameters a=8.9675(8) Å, b=8.9732(5) Å, c=9.2855(7) Å, β=114.812(6)°, V=678.2 Å³ (Z=4). In its original three-dimensional framework, monophosphate groups share their apices with [Ga₄O₁₆(OH)₂] tetrameric units, which are built from two GaO₅(OH) octahedra and two GaO₄(OH) trigonal bipyramids. The sodium cations are located in tunnels running along a, whereas the tunnels running along b are empty.     

Structure and properties of the CaFe2O4-type cobalt oxide CaCo2O4

The calcium cobalt oxide CaCo₂O₄ was synthesized for the first time and characterized from a powder X-ray diffraction study, measuring magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, electrical resistivity, and thermoelectric power. CaCo₂O₄ crystallizes in the CaFe₂O₄ (calcium ferrite)-type structure, consisting of an edge- and corner-shared CoO₆ octahedral network. The structure of CaCo₂O₄ belongs to an orthorhombic system (space group: Pnma) with lattice parameters, a=8.789(2) Å, b=2.9006(7) Å and c=10.282(3) Å. Curie-Weiss-like behavior in magnetic susceptibility with the nearly trivalent cobalt low-spin state (Co³⁺, 3d, S=0), semiconductor-like temperature dependence of resistivity (ρ=3×10⁻¹ Ω cm at 380 K) with dominant hopping conduction at low temperature, metallic-temperature-dependent large thermoelectric power (Seebeck coefficient: S=+147 μV/K at 380 K), and Schottky-type specific heat with a small Sommerfeld constant (γ=4.48(7) mJ/Co mol K²), were observed. These results suggest that the compound possesses a metallic electronic state with a small density of states at the Fermi level. The doped holes are localized at low temperatures due to disorder in the crystal. The carriers probably originate from slight off-stoichiometry of the phase. It was also found that S tends to increase even more beyond 380 K. The large S is possibly attributed to residual spin entropy and orbital degeneracy coupled with charges by strong electron correlation in the cobalt oxides.     

A layered vanadium arsenate network decorated with the directly coordinated organonitrogen ligands: [V4O7(HAsO4)2(o-phen)2] (o-phen=o-phenanthroline)

A novel layered vanadium arsenate [V₄O₇(HAsO₄)₂(o-phen)₂] 1 (o-phen=o-phenanthroline) was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of V₂O₅, ZnCl₂, Na₂HAsO₄·7H₂O, o-phenanthroline (o-phen) and water. Its structure was determined by elemental analyses, ESR spectrum, XPS spectrum, TG analysis, IR spectrum and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic system, space group P2/c, a=10.122(2) Å, b=9.867(2) Å, c=15.367(3) Å, β=102.83(3)°, V=1496.4(5) Å³, Z=1, λ(MoKα)=0.71073 Å, (R(F)=0.0397 for 3422 reflections). Data were collected on a Rigaku R-AXIS RAPID IP diffractometer at 293 K in the range of 2.06°<θ<27.48°. The title compound contains an unusual two-dimensional (2D) As-V-O layer with four-, six- and eight-membered rings. The chelating o-phen ligands project perpendicularly above and below the undulating layer. 1 represents the first example of 2D inorganic vanadium arsenate backbone grafted with the directly coordinated organic ligands. Furthermore, the 3D supermolecular architecture is formed by π-π stacking interactions of the o-phen groups between adjacent layers.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of (H4APPIP)[V3(C2O4)2(HPO4)3(PO4)(H2O)]·6H2O (APPIP=1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine), a layered vanadium oxalatophosphate containing double 6-ring units

A new vanadium(III) oxalatophosphate has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a=11.604(2) Å, b=12.391(2) Å, c=15.220(3) Å, α=71.090(3)°, β=82.630(3)°, γ=62.979(3)°, V=1843.8(5) Å³ and Z=2. The structure consists of V₆(HPO₄)₆ double 6-ring (D6R) units connected by coordinating C₂O₄²⁻ and PO₄³⁻ anions to form anionic sheets in the ab plane with charge-compensating quadruply protonated 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazinium cations and water molecules between the sheets. It is one of the few compounds with 2D layer structures and the second example containing D6R units in the system of metal oxalatophosphates. The iron analogue was also synthesized.     

New binuclear vanadium(III) and (IV) squarate species: synthesis, structure and characterization of [V(OH)(H2O)2(C4O4)]2·2H2O and (NH4)[(VO)2(OH)(C4O4)2(H2O)3]·3H2O

Two new vanadium squarates have been synthesized, characterized by infrared and thermal behavior and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both structures are made of discrete, binuclear vanadium entity but in 1, [V(OH)(H₂O)₂(C₄O₄)]₂·2H₂O the vanadium atom is trivalent and the entity is neutral while in 2, (NH₄)[(VO)₂(OH)(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O, the vanadium atom is tetravalent and the entity is negatively charged, balanced by the presence of one ammonium ion. Both molecular anions are bridged by two terminal μ₂ squarate ligands. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, with lattice constants a=7.5112(10) Å, b=7.5603(8) Å, c=8.2185(8) Å, α=106.904(8)°, β=94.510(10)°, γ=113.984(9)° while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a=14.9340(15) Å, b=6.4900(9) Å, c=17.9590(19) Å and β=97.927(12)°. From the magnetic point of view, V(III) binuclear species show ferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures. However, no anomalies pointing to magnetic ordering are observed down to 2 K.     

Two new octahedral/pyramidal frameworks containing both cation channels and lone-pair channels: syntheses and structures of Ba2MnMn2(SeO3)6 and PbFe2(SeO3)4

The hydrothermal syntheses, single crystal structures, and some properties of Ba₂Mn^IIMn₂^III(SeO₃)₆ and PbFe₂(SeO₃)₄ are reported. These related phases contain three-dimensional frameworks of vertex (FeO₆) and vertex/edge linked (MnO₆) octahedra and SeO₃ pyramids. In each case, the MO₆/SeO₃ framework encloses two types of 8 ring channels, one of which encapsulates the extra-framework cations and one of which provides space for the Se^IV lone pairs. Crystal data: Ba₂Mn₃(SeO₃)₆, M_r=1201.22, monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a=5.4717 (3) Å, b=9.0636 (4) Å, c=17.6586 (9) Å, β=94.519 (1)°, V=873.03 (8) Å³, Z=2, R(F)=0.031, wR(F²)=0.070; PbFe₂(SeO₃)₄, M_r=826.73, triclinic, (No. 2), a=5.2318 (5) Å, b=6.7925 (6) Å, c=7.6445 (7) Å, α=94.300 (2)°, β=90.613 (2)°, γ=95.224 (2)°, V=269.73 (4) Å³, Z=1, R(F)=0.051, wR(F²)=0.131.     

New members of ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides containing finite boron-carbon chains: RE25B14C26 (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd25B12C28

New ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ were synthesized by co-melting the elements. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ is stable up to 1440 K. RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) exist above 1270 K. The crystal structures were investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: space group P, a=8.3209(7) Å, b=8.3231(6) Å, c=29.888(2) Å, α=83.730(9)°, β=83.294(9)°, γ=89.764(9)°. Pr₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: space group P2₁/c, a=8.4243(5) Å, b=8.4095(6) Å, c=30.828(1) Å, β=105.879(4)°, V=2100.6(2) Å³, (R1=0.048 (wR2=0.088) from 2961 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o)); for Nd₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ space group P2₁/c, Z=2, a=8.3404(6) Å, b=8.3096(6) Å, c=30.599(2) Å, β=106.065(1)°. Their structures consist of a three-dimensional framework of rare-earth metal atoms resulting from the stacking of slightly corrugated and distorted square nets, leading to cavities filled with cumulene-like molecules [B₂C₄]⁶⁻ and [B₃C₃]⁷⁻, nearly linear [BC₂]⁵⁻ and bent [BC₂]⁷⁻ units and isolated carbon atoms. Structural and theoretical analysis suggests the ionic formulation for RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: (RE³⁺)₂₅[B₂C₄]⁶⁻([B₃C₃]⁷⁻)₂([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·5e⁻ and for Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: (Nd³⁺)₂₅([B₂C₄]⁶⁻)₃([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·7e⁻. Accordingly, extended Hückel tight-binding calculations indicate that the compounds are metallic in character.     

Crystal structure of BaMg2Si2O7 and Eu luminescence

Crystal structure of BaMg₂Si₂O₇ was determined and refined by a combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method (monoclinic, C2/c, no. 15, Z=8, a=7.24553(8) Å, b=12.71376(14) Å, c=13.74813(15) Å, β=90.2107(8)°, V=1266.44(2) Å³; R_p/R_wp=3.38%/4.77%). The structure contains a single crystallographic type of Ba atom coordinated to eight O atoms with C₁ (1) site symmetry. Under 325-nm excitation Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Mg₂Si₂O₇ exhibits an asymmetric emission band around 402 nm. The asymmetric shape of the emission band is likely associated with a small electron-phonon coupling in BaMg₂Si₂O₇. The integrated intensity of the emission band was observed to remain constant over the temperature range 4.2-300 K.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of Na6Co2O6

Na₆Co₂O₆ was synthesized via the azide/nitrate route by reaction between NaN₃, NaNO₃ and Co₃O₄. Stoichiometric mixtures of the starting materials were heated in a special regime up to 500°C and annealed at this temperature for 50 h in silver crucibles. Single crystals have been grown by subsequent annealing of the reaction product at 500°C for 500 h in silver crucibles, which were sealed in glass ampoules under dried Ar. According to the X-ray analysis of the crystal structure (, Z=1, a=5.7345(3), b=5.8903(3), c=6.3503(3) Å, α=64.538(2), β=89.279(2), γ=85.233(2)°, 1006 independent reflections, R₁=8.34% (all data)), cobalt is tetrahedrally coordinated by oxygen. Each two CoO₄ tetrahedra are linked through a common edge forming Co₂O₆^6- anions. Cobalt ions within the dimers, being in a high spin state (S=2), are ferromagnetically coupled (J=17 cm^-1). An intercluster spin exchange (zJ′=−4.8 cm^-1) plays a significant role below 150 K and leads to an antiferromagnetically ordered state below 30 K. Heat capacity exhibits a λ-type anomaly at this temperature and yields a value of 19.5 J/mol K for the transition entropy, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value calculated for the ordering of the ferromagnetic-coupled dimers. In order to construct a model for the spin interactions in Na₆Co₂O₆, the magnetic properties of Na₅CoO₄ have been measured. This compound features isolated CoO₄ tetrahedra and shows a Curie-Weiss behavior (μ=5.14 μ_B, Θ=−20 K) down to 15 K. An antiferromagmetic ordering is observed in this compound below 10 K.     

Subsolidus phase relations and crystal structures of the mixed-oxide phases in the In2O3-WO3 system

Subsolidus phase relationships in the In₂O₃-WO₃ system at 800-1400°C were investigated using X-ray diffraction. Two binary-oxide phases—In₆WO₁₂ and In₂(WO₄)₃—were found to be stable over the range 800-1200°C. Heating the binary-oxide phases above 1200°C resulted in the preferential volatilization of WO₃. Rietveld refinement was performed on three structures using X-ray diffraction data from nominally phase-pure In₆WO₁₂ at room temperature and from nominally phase-pure In₂(WO₄)₃ at 225°C and 310°C. The indium-rich phase, In₆WO₁₂, is rhombohedral, space group (rhombohedral), with Z=1, a=6.22390(4) Å, α=99.0338(2)° [hexagonal axes: a_H=9.48298(6) Å, c=8.94276(6) Å, a_H/c=0.9430(9)]. In₆WO₁₂ can be viewed as an anion-deficient fluorite structure in which 1/7 of the fluorite anion sites are vacant. Indium tungstate, In₂(WO₄)₃, undergoes a monoclinic-orthorhombic transition around 250°C. The high-temperature polymorph is orthorhombic, space group Pnca, with a=9.7126(5) Å, b=13.3824(7) Å, c=9.6141(5) Å, and Z=4. The low-temperature polymorph is monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, with a=16.406(2) Å, b=9.9663(1) Å, c=19.099(2) Å, β=125.411(2)°, and Z=8. The structures of the two In₂(WO₄)₃ polymorphs are similar, consisting of a network of corner sharing InO₆ octahedra and WO₄ tetrahedra.