The Silicides M4Si4 with M = Na,K, Rb,Cs, and Ba2Si4 – NMR Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanical Calculations

The Zintl phases M₄Si₄ with M = Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Ba₂Si₄ feature a common structural unit, the Si₄^4– anion. The coordination of the anions by the cations varies significantly. This allows a systematic investigation of the bonding situation of the anions by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The compounds were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ²³Na, ²⁹Si, ⁸⁷Rb, ¹³³Cs NMR spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical calculation of the NMR coupling parameter. The chemical bonding was investigated by quantum mechanical calculations of the electron localizability indicator (ELI). Synthesis of the compounds results for all of them in single phase material. A systematic increase of the isotropic ²⁹Si NMR signal shift with increasing atomic number of the cations is observed by NMR experiments and quantum mechanical calculation of the NMR coupling parameter. The agreement of experimental and theoretical results is very good allowing an unambiguous assignment of the NMR signals to the atomic sites. Quantum mechanical modelling of the NMR shift parameter indicates a dominant influence of the cations on the isotropic ²⁹Si NMR signal shift. In contrast to this a negligible influence of the geometry of the anions on the NMR signal shift is obtained by these model calculations. The origin of the systematic variation of the isotropic NMR signal shift is not yet clear although an influence of the charge transfer estimated by calculation using the QTAIM approach is indicated.     

Dynamic computer simulations of Cs incorporation in Si during low‐energy (0.2–3 keV) irradiation

The incorporation of Cs atoms in silicon was investigated by dynamic computer simulations using the Monte‐Carlo code T‐DYN that takes into account the gradual change of the target composition due to the Cs irradiation. The implantation of Cs atoms at normal incidence was studied for four energies (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 3 keV) and three different Cs surface‐binding energies U_Cs (0.4, 0.8, and 2.4 eV). The total implantation fluences were 2 × 10¹⁷ Cs cm^?2 for 0.2 keV, 1.5 × 10¹⁷ Cs cm^?2 for 0.5 keV, and 1 × 10¹⁷ Cs cm^?2 for 1 and 3 keV. At these values, a stationary state has been reached. The steady‐state Cs‐surface concentrations exhibit a pronounced dependence both on impact energy and U_Cs, varying between ～1 (at 0.2 keV and U_Cs = 2.4 eV) and ～0.13 (3 keV and U_Cs = 0.4 eV). Under equilibrium, the partial sputtering yield of Si, Y_Si, experiences little influence of U_Cs, but varies with the Cs energy: at U_Cs = 0.8 eV from 0.09 to 1.0 Si atoms/Cs projectile. For all irradiation conditions a strongly preferential sputtering of Cs atoms as compared to Si atoms is found, increasing from 1.8 (at 3 keV and U_Cs = 2.4 eV) to 13.3 (at 0.2 keV and U_Cs = 0.4 eV). Preferential sputtering of Cs increases with decreasing irradiation energy and decreasing U_Cs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast Sodium‐Ion Conductivity in Supertetrahedral Phosphidosilicates

Fast sodium‐ion conductors are key components of Na‐based all‐solid‐state batteries which hold promise for large‐scale storage of electrical power. We report the synthesis, crystal‐structure determination, and Na⁺‐ion conductivities of six new Na‐ion conductors, the phosphidosilicates Na₁₉Si₁₃P₂₅, Na₂₃Si₁₉P₃₃, Na₂₃Si₂₈P₄₅, Na₂₃Si₃₇P₅₇, LT‐NaSi₂P₃ and HT‐NaSi₂P₃, based entirely on earth‐abundant elements. They have SiP₄ tetrahedra assembled interpenetrating networks of T3 to T5 supertetrahedral clusters and can be hierarchically assigned to sphalerite‐ or diamond‐type structures. ²³Na solid‐state NMR spectra and geometrical pathway analysis show Na⁺‐ion mobility between the supertetrahedral cluster networks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows Na⁺‐ion conductivities up to σ (Na⁺)=4×10^?4 S cm^?1. The conductivities increase with the size of the supertetrahedral clusters through dilution of Na⁺‐ions as the charge density of the anionic networks decreases.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur des Fluorid‐ino‐Oxosilicats Cs2YFSi4O10

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Fluoride ino‐Oxosilicate Cs₂YFSi₄O₁₀ The novel fluoride oxosilicate Cs₂YFSi₄O₁₀ could be synthesized by the reaction of Y₂O₃, YF₃ and SiO₂ in the stoichiometric ratio 2 : 5 : 3 with an excess of CsF as fluxing agent in gastight sealed platinum ampoules within seventeen days at 700 °C. Single crystals of Cs₂YFSi₄O₁₀ appear as colourless, transparent and water‐resistant needles. The characteristic building unit of Cs₂YFSi₄O₁₀ (orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), a = 2239.75(9), b = 884.52(4), c = 1198.61(5) pm; Z = 8) comprises infinite tubular chains of vertex‐condensed [SiO₄]^4? tetrahedra along [010] consisting of eight‐membered half‐open cube shaped silicate cages. The four crystallographically different Si⁴⁺ cations all reside in general sites 8d with Si–O distances from 157 to 165 pm. Because of the rigid structure of this oxosilicate chain the bridging Si–O–Si angles vary extremely between 128 and 167°. The crystallographically unique Y³⁺ cation (in general site 8d as well) is surrounded by four O^2? and two F^? anions (d(Y–O) = 221–225 pm, d(Y–F) = 222 pm). These slightly distorted trans‐[YO₄F₂]^7? octahedra are linked via both apical F^? anions by vertex‐sharing to infinite chains along [010] (?(Y–F–Y) = 169°, ?(F–Y–F) = 177°). Each of these chains connects via terminal O^2? anions to three neighbouring oxosilicate chains to build up a corner‐shared, three‐dimensional framework. The resulting hexagonal and octagonal channels along [010] are occupied by the four crystallographically different Cs⁺ cations being ten‐, twelve‐, thirteen‐ and fourteenfold coordinated by O^2? and F^? anions (viz.[(Cs1)O₁₀]^19?, [(Cs2)O₁₀F₂]^21?, [(Cs3)O₁₂F]^24?, and [(Cs4)O₁₂F₂]^25? with d(Cs–O) = 309–390 pm and d(Cs–F) = 360–371 pm, respectively).     

Cs8−xSi46: A Type‐I Clathrate with Expanded Silicon Framework

The synthesis of the new binary Cs_8?xSi₄₆ (shown here) completes the series of binary alkali metal silicides with a clathrate‐I structure M_8?xSi₄₆ (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs). In contrast with the lighter homologues, Cs_8?xSi₄₆ can be prepared only at elevated pressures. The compound was obtained at 1200 °C between 2–10 GPa and the Cs content rises with applied pressure.

     

The Binary Silicides Eu5Si3 and Yb3Si5 – Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Chemical Bonding

The binary silicides Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ were prepared from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes and their crystal structures were determined from single crystal X-ray data: I4/mcm, a = 791.88(7) pm, c = 1532.2(2) pm, Z = 4, wR2 = 0.0545, 600 F² values, 16 variables for Eu₅Si₃ (Cr₅B₃-type) and P62m, a = 650.8(2) pm, c = 409.2(1) pm, Z = 1, wR2 = 0.0427, 375 F² values, 12 variables for Yb₃Si₅ (Th₃Pd₅ type). The new silicide Eu₅Si₃ contains isolated silicon atoms and silicon pairs with a Si–Si distance of 242.4 pm. This silicide may be described as a Zintl phase with the formula [5 Eu²⁺]¹⁰⁺[Si]^4–[Si₂]^6–. The silicon atoms in Yb₃Si₅ form a two-dimensional planar network with two-connected and three-connected silicon atoms. According to the Zintl-Klemm concept the formula of homogeneous mixed-valent Yb₃Si₅ may to a first approximation be written as [3 Yb]⁸⁺[2 Si^–]^2–[3 Si^2–]^6–. Magnetic susceptibility investigations of Eu₅Si₃ show Curie-Weiss behaviour above 100 K with a magnetic moment of 7.85(5) μ_B which is close to the free ion value of 7.94 μ_B for Eu²⁺. Chemical bonding in Eu₅Si₃ and Yb₃Si₅ was investigated by semi-empirical band structure calculations using an extended Hückel hamiltonian. The strongest bonding interactions are found for the Si–Si contacts followed by Eu–Si and Yb–Si, respectively. The main bonding characteristics in Eu₅Si₃ are antibonding Si1₂-π* and bonding Eu–Si1 states at the Fermi level. The same holds true for the silicon polyanion in Yb₃Si₅.     

Competitive binding exchange between alkali metal ions (K+, Rb+, and Cs+) and Na+ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G4T4G4)]2: a 23Na and 1H NMR study

A comparative study of the competitive cation exchange between the alkali metal ions K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ and the Na⁺ ions bound to the dimeric quadruplex [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂ was performed in aqueous solution by a combined use of the ²³Na and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The titration data confirm the different binding affinities of these ions for the G‐quadruplex and, in particular, major differences in the behavior of Cs⁺ as compared to the other ions were found. Accordingly, Cs⁺ competes with Na⁺ only for the binding sites at the quadruplex surface (primarily phosphate groups), while K⁺ and Rb⁺ are also able to replace sodium ions located inside the quadruplex. Furthermore, the ¹H NMR results relative to the CsCl titration evidence a close approach of Cs⁺ ions to the phosphate groups in the narrow groove of [d(G₄T₄G₄)]₂. Based on a three‐site exchange model, the ²³Na NMR relaxation data lead to an estimate of the relative binding affinity of Cs⁺ versus Na⁺ for the quadruplex surface of 0.5 at 298 K. Comparing this value to those reported in the literature for the surface of the G‐quadruplex formed by 5′‐guanosinemonophosphate and for the surface of double‐helical DNA suggests that topology factors may have an important influence on the cation affinity for the phosphate groups on DNA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional [IrSi] Networks in the Silicides Sm3Ir2Si2, HoIrSi,and YbIrSi

New intermetallic rare earth iridium silicides Sm₃Ir₂Si₂, HoIrSi, and YbIrSi were synthesized by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. HoIrSi and YbIrSi crystallize in a TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma: a = 677.1(1), b = 417.37(6), c = 745.1(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0930, 340 F² values for HoIrSi, and a = 667.2(2), b = 414.16(8), c = 742.8(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0370, 262 F² values for YbIrSi with 20 parameters for each refinement. The iridium and silicon atoms build a three‐dimensional [IrSi] network in which the holmium(ytterbium) atoms are located in distorted hexagonal channels. Short Ir–Si distances (246–256 pm in YbIrSi) are indicative for strong Ir–Si bonding. Sm₃Ir₂Si₂ crystallizes in a site occupancy variant of the W₃CoB₃ type: Cmcm, a = 409.69(2), b = 1059.32(7), c = 1327.53(8) pm, wR2 = 0.0995, 383 F² values and 27 variables. The Ir1, Ir2, and Si atoms occupy the Co, B2, and B1 positions of W₃CoB₃, leading to eight‐membered Ir₄Si₄ rings within the puckered two‐dimensional [IrSi] network. The Ir–Si distances range from 245 to 251 pm. The [IrSi] networks are separated by the samarium atoms. Chemical bonding in HoIrSi, YbIrSi, and Sm₃Ir₂Si₂ is briefly discussed.     

Strukturelle Untersuchungen an Cs2[B12H12]

Structural Investigations on Cs₂[B₁₂H₁₂] The crystal structure of Cs₂[B₁₂H₁₂] has been determined from X‐ray single‐crystal data collected at room temperature. Dicesium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate crystallizes as colourless, face‐rich crystals (cubic, Fm 3; a = 1128.12(7) pm; Z = 4). Its synthesis is based on the reaction of Na[BH₄] with BF₃(O(C₂H₅)₂) via the decomposition of Na[B₃H₈] in boiling diglyme, followed by subsequent separations, precipitations (with aqueous CsOH solution) and recrystallizations. The crystal structure is best described as anti‐CaF₂‐type arrangement with the Cs⁺ cations in all tetrahedral interstices of the cubic closest‐packed host lattice of the icosahedral [B₁₂H₁₂]^2–‐cluster dianions. The intramolecular bond lengths are in the range usually found in closo‐hydroborates: 178 pm for the B–B and 112 pm for the B–H distance. Twelve hydrogen atoms belonging to four [B₁₂H₁₂]^2– icosahedra provide an almost perfect cuboctahedral coordination sphere to the Cs⁺ cations, and their distance of 313 pm (12 ×) attests for the salt‐like character of Cs₂[B₁₂H₁₂] according to {(Cs⁺)₂([B₁₂H₁₂]^2–)}. The ¹¹B{¹H}‐NMR data in aqueous (D₂O) solution are δ = –12,70 ppm (¹J_B–H = 125 Hz), and δ = –15,7 ppm (linewidth: δν_1/2 = 295 Hz) for the solid state ¹¹B‐MAS‐NMR.     

Unusual centrosymmetric structure of [M(18‐crown‐6)]+ (M = Rb,Cs and NH4) complexes stabilized in an environment of hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions

In (1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane)rubidium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Rb(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][SbCl₆], (1), and its isomorphous caesium {(1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane)caesium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Cs(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][SbCl₆]}, (2), and ammonium {ammonium hexachloridoantimonate(V)–1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane (1/1), (NH₄)[SbCl₆]·C₁₂H₂₄O₆}, (3), analogues, the hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions and 18‐crown‐6 molecules reside across axes passing through the Sb atoms and the centroids of the 18‐crown‐6 groups, both of which coincide with centres of inversion. The Rb⁺ [in (1)], Cs⁺ [in (2)] and NH₄⁺ [in (3)] cations are situated inside the cavity of the 18‐crown‐6 ring; they are situated on axes and are equally disordered about centres of inversion, deviating from the centroid of the 18‐crown‐6 molecule by 0.4808 (13), 0.9344 (7) and 0.515 (8) Å, respectively. Interaction of the ammonium cation and the 18‐crown‐6 group is supported by three equivalent hydrogen bonds [N...O = 2.928 (3) Å and N—H...O = 162°]. The centrosymmetric structure of [Cs(18‐crown‐6)]⁺, with the large Cs⁺ cation approaching the centre of the ligand cavity, is unprecedented and accompanied by unusually short Cs—O bonds [2.939 (2) and 3.091 (2) Å]. For all three compounds, the [M(18‐crown‐6)]⁺ cations and [SbCl₆]⁻ anions afford linear stacks along the c axis, with the cationic complexes embedded between pairs of inversion‐related anions.     

Investigation of cation environment and framework changes in silicotitanate exchange materials using solid-state Na, Si, and Cs MAS NMR

Crystalline silicotitanate (CST), HNa₃Ti₄Si₂O₁₄·4H₂O and the Nb-substituted CST (Nb-CST), HNa₂Ti₃NbSi₂O₁₄·4H₂O, are highly selective Cs⁺ sorbents, which makes them attractive materials for the selective removal of radioactive species from nuclear waste solutions. The structural basis for the improved Cs⁺ selectivity in the niobium analogs was investigated through a series of solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR experiments. Changes in the local environment of the Na⁺ and Cs⁺ cations in both CST and Nb-CST materials as a function of weight percent cesium exchange were investigated using ²³Na and ¹³³Cs MAS NMR. Framework changes induced by Cs⁺ loading and hydration state were investigated with ²⁹Si MAS NMR. Multiple Cs⁺ environments were observed in the CST and Nb-CST material. The relative population of these different Cs⁺ environments varies with the extent of Cs⁺ loading. Marked changes in the framework Si environment were noted with the initial incorporation of Cs⁺, however with increased Cs⁺ loading the impact to the Si environment becomes less pronounced. The Cs⁺ environment and Si framework structure were influenced by the Nb-substitution and were greatly affected by the amount of water present in the materials. The increased Cs⁺ selectivity of the Nb-CST materials arises from both the chemistry and geometry of the tunnels and pores.     

Site‐Specific Substitution Preferences in the Solid Solutions Li12Si7–xGex,Li12–yNaySi7, Na7LiSi8–zGez,and Li3NaSi6–vGev

The mixed silicide‐germanides Li₁₂Si_7–xGe_x, Na₇LiSi_8–zGe_z, and Li₃NaSi_6–vGe_v which could serve as potential precursors for Si_1–xGe_x materials were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction methods. The full solid solution series Li₁₂Si_7–xGe_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 7) is easily accessible from the elements and features preferential occupation of the more negatively charged crystallographic tetrel positions by Ge, which is the more electronegative element. In case of Na₇LiSi_8–zGe_z a broad solid solution range of 1.3 ≤ x ≤ 8 is available but the ternary silicide Na₇LiSi₈ could not be obtained by the tested methods of synthesis. The solubility of Ge in Li₃NaSi_6–vGe_v is highly limited to a maximum of v ≈ 0.5, and again the formally more negatively charged tetrel positions are preferred by Ge. Additionally, the two crystallographic Li positions in Li₁₂Si₇ with unusually large displacement parameters can be partially substituted by Na in Li_12–yNa_ySi₇ with 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.6. The statistical mixing of Li and Na in this solid solution contrasts the typical ordering of Li and Na in most ternary tetrelides.     

Si44– in Solution – First Solvate Crystal Structure of the Ligand‐free Tetrasilicide Tetraanion in Rb1.2K2.8Si4·7NH3

We report the first solvate structure of the silicide anion Si₄^4–, which provides circumstantial evidence of the stability of the highly charged anion in liquid ammonia solutions. The solvate Rb_1.2K_2.8Si₄ · 7NH₃ crystallized from a mixture of the ternary compound K₆Rb₆Si₁₇ with the transition metal complex [(C₆H₅)₃P]₂Ni(CO)₂ [bis(triphenylphosphine)dicarbonylnickel] in the presence of the chelating agents 18‐crown‐6 (1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane) and [2.2.2]cryptand (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) in liquid ammonia. Single X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of the Si₄^4– anion in the crystal structure of Rb_1.2K_2.8Si₄ · 7NH₃, which represents the first solvate compound of the naked tetrasilicide tetraanion. All five crystallographically independent cation positions show mixed occupancy by Rb⁺ and K⁺.     

Zwitterionic Spirocyclic λ5Si‐Silicates with Two Bidentate Acetohydroximato(2–) or Benzohydroximato(2–) Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Dynamic Stereochemistry

The syntheses of the zwitterionic spirocyclic λ⁵Si‐silicates 7–14 are described. The chiral zwitterions contain a pentacoordinate (formally negatively charged) silicon atom and a tetracoordinate (formally positively charged) nitrogen atom, the ate and onium center being connected by an alkylene group. The zwitterions each contain two identical bidentate diolato(2–) ligands that formally derive from acetohydroximic acid or benzohydroximic acid. The stereochemistry and dynamic behavior of these compounds were investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. For this purpose, the zwitterionic λ⁵Si‐silicates 7–14 were studied by solution (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si) and solid‐state (¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ²⁹Si CP/MAS) NMR experiments. In addition, compounds 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , and 13 were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The dynamic behavior (intramolecular enantiomerization) of 7 and 13 in solution was studied by VT ¹H NMR experiments. These experimental studies were completed by ab initio investigations of the related anionic model species 15 . The chiral compounds 7–14 exist as (λ)‐ and (δ)‐enantiomers in the solid state and in solution. The trigonal‐bipyramidal structure of the respective Si‐coordination polyhedra, with the two carbon‐linked oxygen atoms in the axial sites, is the energetically most favorable one. The (λ)‐ and (δ)‐enantiomers of 7–14 are configurationally stable in solution on the NMR time scale ([D₆]DMSO, room temperature). They undergo an intramolecular (λ)/(δ)‐enantiomerization (twist‐type mechanism), with an activation free enthalpy of δG^{ = 72–73 kJ mol^–1 (experimentally established for 7 and 13 ; calculated energy barrier for the model species 15 : 66.0 kJ mol^–1).     

Die Oxoantimonate(III) Rb2Sb8O13 und Cs8Sb22O37: Neue Schicht‐ und Gerüststrukturen mit ‘Lone‐Pair’ ‐Kationen

The Oxoantimonates(III) Rb₂Sb₈O₁₃ and Cs₈Sb₂₂O₃₇: New Framework and Layer Structures with ‘Lone‐Pair’ Cations The oxoantimonates(III) Rb₂Sb₈O₁₃ and Cs₈Sb₂₂O₃₇ were synthezised from Sb₂O₃, the elemental alkali metals (A) and the hyperoxides (AO₂) at 500 °C. The crystal structures of Rb₂Sb₈O₁₃ (monoclinic, P2₁/m, a=743.7(12)pm, b=1724(3)pm, c=1380(2)pm, β=90.44(4) °, Z=4) and Cs₈Sb₂₂O₃₇ (monoclinic, Cc, a=1299.93(11)pm, b=719.87(6)pm, c=3089.9(3)pm, β=96.00(2) °, Z=2) exhibit complex layer (Rb) and framework oxoantimonate ions (Cs), with the Sb^III cation, due to its stereochemically active ‘lone‐pair’, in ψ‐tetrahedral (CN=3) to ψ‐trigonal‐bipyramidal (CN=4) coordination by O.     

Cesium's Off‐the‐Map Valence Orbital

The T_d ‐symmetric [CsO₄]⁺ ion, featuring Cs in an oxidation state of 9, is computed to be a minimum. Cs uses outer core 5s and 5p orbitals to bind the oxygen atoms. The valence Cs 6s orbital lies too high to be involved in bonding, and contributes to Rydberg levels only. From a molecular orbital perspective, the bonding scheme is reminiscent of XeO₄: an octet of electrons to bind electronegative ligands, and no low‐lying acceptor orbitals on the central atom. In this sense, Cs⁺ resembles hypervalent Xe.     

Self-assembly and crystal structures of coordination polymers constructed by 4′-hydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonates with Cs(I) and Rb(I)

Four coordination polymers, [CsL1(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (1), [CsL2(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (2), [Rb₂(L2)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (3) and [RbL3(H₂O)] (4), were synthesized by Cs(I), Rb(I) and 4′-hydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonates L1–L3 [L1 = 7-methoxy-4′-hydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonate, L2 = 7-ethoxy-4′-hydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonate, L3 = 7-ethoxy-4′,5-dihydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonate]. The crystal structures of 1–4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The influences of 4′-hydroxyisoflavone-3′-sulfonate ligands and Cs⁺, Rb⁺ on their structural features and self-assembly were investigated. The sulfonates of L1–L3 not only coordinate with Cs⁺ or Rb⁺ directly, but also bridge the organic region and the inorganic region in 1–4. Non-covalent interactions such as coordination interaction, π–π stacking interaction and hydrogen bonding assembled 1–4 into 3-D networks together with the electrostatic interactions between Cs⁺, Rb⁺ and the sulfonate anions.     

Single Crystals of the Dodecaiodo‐closo‐dodecaborate Cs2[B12I12] · 2 CH3CN (≡ {Cs(NCCH3)}2[B12I12]) from Acetonitrile

Colourless, lath‐shaped single crystals of Cs₂[B₁₂I₁₂] · 2 CH₃CN (monoclinic, C2/m; a = 1550.3(2), b = 1273.2(1), c = 1051.5(1) pm, β = 120.97(1)°; Z = 2) are obtained by the reaction of Cs₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with an excess of I₂ and ICl (molar ratio: 1 : 2) in methylene iodide (CH₂I₂) at 180 °C (8 h) and recrystallization of the crude product from acetonitrile (CH₃CN). The crystal structure contains quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂I₁₂]^2– anions (d(B–B) = 176–182 pm, d(B–I) = 211–218 pm) which arrange in a cubic closest‐packed fashion. All octahedral interstices are filled with centrosymmetric dimer‐cations {[Cs(N≡C–CH₃)]₂}²⁺ containing a diamond‐shaped four‐membered (Cs–N–Cs–N) ring of Cs⁺ cations and nitrogen atoms of the solvating acetonitrile molecules (d(Cs–N) = 321 pm, 2 ×). The cesium cations themselves actually reside in the distorted tetrahedral voids of the cubic [B₁₂I₁₂]^2– packing (d(Cs–I) = 402–461 pm, 10 ×) if one ignores the solvent particles.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Four New Ammoniates with Heptaarsenide (As$\rm{_{7}^{3-}}$) Anions

The syntheses and X‐ray single‐crystal low‐temperature structures of the four new ammoniates [Li(NH₃)₄]₃As₇?NH₃ ( 1 ), [Rb(18‐crown‐6)]₃As₇?8 NH₃ ( 2 ), Cs₃As₇?6 NH₃ ( 3 ), and (Ph₄P)₂CsAs₇?5 NH₃ ( 4 ) are reported. The compounds were obtained by either direct reduction of As with Li/Cs in liquid NH₃, solvation of Cs₄As₆/Rb₄As₆ in liquid NH₃, or by extraction of solid Cs₃As₇. While compound 1 contains isolated As polyanions, As? M contacts (M=Na?Cs) lead to neutral [Rb(18‐crown‐6)]₃As₇ units in 2 , a three‐dimensional, extended network in 3 , and one‐dimensional, infinite [CsAs₇]^2? chains in 4 , respectively.     

Solid‐State NMR Investigations on the Amorphous Network of Precursor‐Derived Si2B2N5C4 Ceramics

Employing a multitude of modern solid state NMR techniques including ¹³C{¹⁵N}REDOR NMR, ¹H–¹³C CP NMR, ¹¹B MQMAS NMR spectroscopic experiments, the structural organization of Si₂B₂N₅C₄ ceramic has been studied. The experiments were executed on double isotope enriched (¹³C, ¹⁵N) and natural isotope abundance Si₂B₂N₅C₄ ceramics. The materials were synthesized by aminolysis and subsequent pyrolysis of intermediate pre‐ceramic polymers that were obtained from the single source precursor TSDE, 1‐(trichlorosilyl)‐1‐(dichloroboryl)ethane (Cl₃Si–CH(CH₃)–BCl₂). The result of the ¹³C{¹⁵N} REDOR NMR spectroscopic experiment shows that carbon atoms are incorporated into the network by bridging to nitrogen, which already occurs during the polymerization step. Furthermore, the combined results of ¹¹B NMR and ¹¹B MQMAS NMR indicate that boron atoms may also be connected to carbon in addition to nitrogen.