Study of the specific features of single-crystal boron microstructure

A complex study of the structure of β-boron single crystal grown by the floating-zone method, with sizes significantly exceeding the analogs known in the literature, has been performed. The study includes X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray diffractometry (measurement of pole figures and rocking curves), performed on both laboratory and synchrotron sources; atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy with spherical aberration correction; and energy-dispersive microanalysis. X-ray diffraction analysis using synchrotron radiation has been used to refine the β-boron structure and find impurity Si atoms. The relative variations in the unit-cell parameters a and c for the crystal bulk are found to be δa/a ≈ 0.4 and δc/c ≈ 0.1%. X-ray diffractometry has revealed that the single-crystal growth axis coincides with the [\(2\bar 2013\)] crystallographic axis and makes an angle of 21.12° with the [0001] threefold axis. Electron microscopy data have confirmed that the sample under study is a β-boron crystal, which may contain 0.3–0.4 at % Si as an impurity. Planar defects (stacking faults and dislocations) are found. The results of additional measurements of the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of the crystal in the range of 50–300 K are indicative of its high structural quality.     

Application of X-ray diffraction methods in the study of micrometer-sized porous Si layers

An X-ray analysis of porous silicon layers (Sb-doped n ⁺-Si(111)) obtained by anodic oxidation for different times with a current of 50 mA/cm² is performed by the methods of double-crystal rocking curves and total external reflection. A nondestructive method for monitoring the stationary process of the formation of micrometer-sized porous silicon layers and estimating their porosity and thickness is proposed. The parameters obtained for porous silicon layers with a thickness of ～6 μm are confirmed by the joint processing of diffraction curves for the 111 and 333 reflections on the basis of the developed model of dynamic scattering from layers while taking into account the strain profiles Δd(z)/d, the static Debye-Waller factor f(z), and the porosity P(z). The advantages and drawbacks of the proposed method are discussed.     

Structural characteristics of a new cation-deficient representative of the labuntsovite group

The crystal structure of a new representative of the labuntsovite group from the Khibiny massif (the Kola Peninsula) has been refined. The unit-cell parameters are a = 14.298(7) Å, b = 13.816(7) Å, c = 7.792(3) Å, β = 116.85(5)°, V = 1373.3 ų, sp. gr. C2/m, R^aniso = 0.047, 1084 reflections with F > 4σ (F). The mineral differs from lemmleinite-Ba and other members of the group by the predominance of the vacancies in two key cationic positions—C position is occupied by Ba cations (37%) and D position is occupied mainly by Mn cations (47%).     

Coordination dimers constructed from metal(II) halides and the organic ligand 1,2-dimethoxy- 4,5-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene

A series of new coordination compounds has been synthesized using the organic ligand 1,2-dimethoxy-4,5-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene (dmpeb). The compounds all form dimers consisting of two metal cations bridged by two ligand molecules. Charge balance is provided by halide ligands, and the four-coordinate metal centers are distorted from the ideal tetrahedral environment. [CoCl₂(dmpeb)]₂ (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 8.5272(6) Å, b = 18.3653(13) Å, c = 13.3493(9) Å, β = 103.574(2)^°, V = 2032.2(2) ų, Z = 2. [ZnCl₂(dmpeb)]₂ (2) is isostructural to 1 and has the cell parameters a = 8.5495(4) Å, b = 18.4049(8) Å, c = 13.3692(6) Å, β = 103.4460(10)^°, V = 2046.01(16) ų, Z = 2. [ZnBr₂(dmpeb)]₂ (3) is also isostructural to 1 with a = 8.7882(5) Å, b = 18.7260(12) Å, c = 13.3857(8) Å, β = 102.5990(10)^°, V = 2149.8(2) ų, Z = 2. Additionally, the compounds [ZnI₂(dmpeb)]₂ (4, cell parameters: a = 8.9650(5) Å, b = 19.1251(10) Å, c = 13.4160(7) Å, β = 101.1660(10)^°, V = 2256.7(2) ų, Z = 2), [HgCl₂(dmpeb)]₂ (5, cell parameters: a = 8.8457(7) Å, b = 18.4030(15) Å, c = 13.3711(11) Å, β = 104.246(2)^°, V = 2109.7(3) ų, Z = 2), and [HgBr₂(dmpeb)]₂ (6, cell parameters: a = 9.0576(5) Å, b = 18.8634(11) Å, c = 13.4535(8) Å, β = 102.9780(10)^°, V = 2239.9(2) ų, Z = 2) are also isostructural to 1. A seventh dimeric compound, [HgI₂(dmpeb)]₂, not isostructural to the others was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. [HgI₂(dmpeb)]₂ (7) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 8.8028(5) Å, b = 12.0990(7) Å, c = 12.4082(7) Å, α = 109.7240(10)^°, β = 107.3680(10)^°, γ = 93.0880(10)^°, V = 1169.57(12) ų, Z = 1.     

Crystal structures of two organic salts of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,10-phenanthroline

Two organic salts of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,10-phenanthroline (tphen), namely (oaH)(tphenH) (1) and (ssa)(tphenH)·H₂O (2) (oaH₂ is oxalic acid, ssaH is 5-sulfosalicylic acid), were synthesized and structurally characterized. Both compounds contain tphenH⁺ cations but illustrate different crystal structures. The tphenH⁺ cations show a cross-stacking packing model in 1 but display a herringbone packing model in 2.     

Solution of the inverse problem for reconstructing the real structure of materials from the data of different X-ray methods

A software program has been developed for joint solution of the inverse problem on the basis of the X-ray diffractometry and reflectometry data. A system of basic objects supporting some functions of automatic data flow processing in the program and oriented to mathematical calculations has been created. It is shown by the example of experimental data for an In _x Ga_{1 ? x} As-In _y Al_{1 ? y} As/InP(001) sample that joint fitting of X-ray diffractometry and reflectometry curves makes it possible to reconstruct the model parameters of a multilayer with smaller rms errors. The data were processed taking into account the angular dependences of the background intensity and the aperture factors stemming from the geometry of the experiment.     

Investigation of the crystallization features,atomic structure,and microstructure of chromium-doped monticellite

A series of Cr⁴⁺:CaMgSiO₄ single crystals is grown using floating zone melting, and their microstructure, composition, and crystal structure are investigated. It is shown that regions with inclusions of second phases, such as forsterite, akermanite, MgO, and Ca₄Mg₂Si₃O₁₂, can form over the length of the sample. The composition of the single-phase regions of the single crystals varies from the stoichiometric monticellite CaMgSiO₄ to the solid solution Ca_{(1 ? x)}Mg_{(1 + x)}SiO₄(x = 0.22). The Cr:(Ca_0.88Mg_0.12)MgSiO₄ crystal is studied using X-ray diffraction. It is revealed that, in this case, the olivine-like orthorhombic crystal lattice is distorted to the monoclinic lattice with the parameters a = 6.3574(5) Å, b = 4.8164(4) Å, c = 11.0387(8) Å, β = 90.30(1)^o, Z = 4, V = 337.98 ų, and space group P2₁/c. In the monoclinic lattice, the M(1) position of the initial olivine structure is split into two nonequivalent positions with the center of symmetry, which are occupied only by Mg²⁺ cations with the average length of the Mg-O bond R _av = 2.128 Å. The overstoichiometric Mg²⁺ cations partially replace Ca²⁺ cations (in the M(2) position of the orthorhombic prastructure) with the average bond length of 2.347 Å in the [(Ca,Mg)-O₆] octahedron. The average distance in SiO₄ distorted tetrahedra is 1.541 Å.     

Crystal structure of 2,4,6-trinitropyridine and its N-oxide

The structures of 2,4,6-trinitropyridine (TNPy) and its N-oxide were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. TNPy and 2,4,6-trinitropyridine-1-oxide (TNPyO) crystallize in space groupPbcn andPnma, respectively. The crystallographic parameters are as follows: TNPy,a = 28.573(6) Å,b = 9.7394(19) Å, andc = 8.7566(18) Å, α = β = γ = 90^°, μ = 0.164 mm^?1,V = 2436.8(8) ų,z = 12,Dx = 1.751 mg/mm³,F(000) = 1296,T = 293(2) K, 1.43^°≤ θ≤ 27.40^°, the finalR factor:R ₁ = 0.0574,wR ₂ = 0.1337. TNPyO,a = 9.6272(19) Å,b = 14.128(3) Å, andc = 5.9943(12) Å, α = β = γ = 90^°, μ = 0.179 mm^?1,V = 815.3(3)ų,z = 4,Dx = 1.875 mg/mm³,F(000) = 464,T = 293(2) K, 2.88^°≤ θ≤ 27.44^°, the finalR factor:R ₁ = 0.0497,wR ₂ = 0.1515.     

Calcio-olivine γ-Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>: I. Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure

The structure of the natural mineral calcio-olivine (γ-Ca₂SiO₄) found in skarn xenoliths in the region of the Lakargi Mountain (North Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia) is refined by the Rietveld method [a = 5.07389(7) Å, b = 11.21128(14) Å, c = 6.75340(9) Å, V = 384.170(5) ų, Z = 4, ρ_calcd = 2.98 g/cm³, space group Pbnm]. The X-ray diffraction pattern of a powdered sample is recorded on a STOE STADI MP diffractometer [λCuK _α1; Ge(111) primary monochromator; 6.00° < 2θ < 100.88°; step width, 2.5° in 2θ; number of reflections, 224]. All calculations are performed with the WYRIET (version 3.3) software package. The structural model is refined in the anisotropic approximation to R _p = 6.44, R _wp = 8.52, R _exp = 5.85, R _B = 4.98, R _F = 6.90, and s = 1.46. It is shown that the sample under investigation is a mixture of several mineral phases, among which calcio-olivine (the natural analogue of the γ-Ca₂SiO₄ compound) (83%), hillebrandite (13%), and wadalite (4%) are dominant. Only the scale factors and the unit cell parameters are refined for hillebrandite Ca₂SiO₃(OH)₂ [a = 3.63472(16) Å, b = 16.4140(10) Å, c = 11.7914(8) Å, space group Cmc2₁, Z = 6] and wadalite Ca₆Al₅Si₂O₁₆Cl₃ (a = 12.0088 Å, space group, I \(\bar 4\)3d Z = 4). The results of the structure refinement of the main component of the sample confirm that the mineral calcio-olivine is isostructural to the synthetic compound γ-Ca₂SiO₄. The structure of this compound is formed by the heteropolyhedral framework composed of Ca octahedra joined together into olivine-like ribbons and isolated Si tetrahedra.     

Structure of 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-phenyl-3-pyrrolidine carboxamide

The title compound is crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell parameters a = 7.499, b = 13.336, c = 19.390 Å, β = 99.716°, V = 1911.4 ų, Z = 4, D _cal = 1.273 Mg/m³ at T = 120 K. The structure is refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures to final R ₁ = 0.0548 and wR ₂ = 0.1089 for 3424 reflections. Two phenyl rings are noncoplanar with regard to each other and pyrrolidine core. The structure contains intramolecular hydrogen bond.     

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>5</Subscript>](ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Compound [UO₂(C₅H₁₂N₂O)₅](ClO₄)₂ is synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system; a = 15.2985(9) Å, b = 26.9676(15) Å, c = 20.6962(11) Å, β = 100.697(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 8, and R = 0.0445. Discrete [UO₂(C₅H₁₂N₂O)₅]²⁺ groups belonging to the AM ₅ ¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ and M ¹=C₅H₁₂N₂O) are uranium-containing structural units of the crystals.     

Crystal structure of Сu<Subscript>2–<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript>Te (<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis> = 0.25)

The Сu₂Te compound has been synthesized by alloying Сu and Te taken in stoichiometric ratios. A Сu₂Te sample has been homogenized by annealing at 773 K for 100 h. A pure copper phase in the form of thin filaments is found to segregate from the synthesized product (4 g) by the end of annealing. It is established by X-ray diffraction analysis that the copper-deficient sample is crystallized into the trigonal system with lattice parameters а = 8.328(1) Å, с = 7.196(1) Å, V = 432.2(1) ų, sp. gr. \(P\overline 3 m1\), Z = 8. The crystal structure is determined and the sample composition Сu_2–m Te (m = 0.25) is refined by the Rietveld method. The three independent copper atoms in the lattice are found to have different coordination numbers: 3, 4, and 5.     

Refinement of the crystal structure of Zn-containing greifensteinite

The crystal structure of Zn-containing greifensteinite from the Pirineus Mine (Minas Gerais, Brazil) was refined (R = 0.045, 562 reflections with |F| > 2σ(F)). The unit-cell parameters are a = 15.941(3) Å, b = 11.877(3) Å, c = 6.625(2) Å, β = 95.09(2)°; V = 1249.4 ų; sp. gr. C2/c; and Z = 2. The idealized formula is [Mn(Fe²⁺, Zn)₄]Ca₂Be₄(PO₄)₆(OH)₄ · 6H₂O. The mineral is isostructural with the previously studied monoclinic representatives of the roscherite group from different deposits and differs from these representatives in that it contains Zn in one of two octahedral positions.     

Molecular structures of chalcone podands: A prognosis of photoinduced transformations in the crystals

A series of chalcone podands with the propenone group in the ortho position of the bridging aryl substituent with respect to the oxyethylene fragment is synthesized. The influence of the preorganization of the chalcone podand molecules in crystals on their ability to participate in topochemical reactions is investigated. From analyzing the X-ray structural data, the highest probability of the solid-state photochemical [2 + 2]cycloaddition is predicted for podands with phenyl substituents and the oxyethylene fragment containing two or three oxygen atoms. The X-ray structural data for the chalcone podand C₃₂H₂₆O₄ (3a) are as follows: a = 7.904(9) Å, b = 14.92(2) Å, c = 21.30(3) Å, β = 91.7(1)°, monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, V = 2510(5) ų, ρ = 1.26 g/cm³, and R = 0.046; C₃₄H₃₀O₅ (3b): a = 15.738(9) Å, b = 11.889(2) Å, c = 15.0830(15) Å, β = 105.47(14)°, monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Z = 4, V = 2720.0(9) ų, ρ = 1.266 g/cm³, and R = 0.0418; C₃₂H₂₄N₂O₈ (4a): a = 17.9416(18) Å, b = 10.9703(8) Å, c = 41.699(2) Å, β = 105.970(11)°, monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, V = 2781.4(5) ų, ρ = 1.348 g/cm³, and R = 0.0426; C₃₆H₃₂N₂O₁₀ (4c): a = 7.6286(5)Å, b = 17.9398(10) Å, c = 11.5890(3)Å, β = 95.287(4)°, monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, V = 1579.27(14) ų, ρ = 1.372 g/cm³, and R = 0.0377; and C₂₈H₂₂O₆ (5a): a = 15.6032(10) Å, b = 8.1131(5) Å, c = 17.7334(11) Å, β = 91.381(5)°, monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Z = 4, V = 2244.2(2) ų, ρ = 1.345 g/cm³, and R = 0.0309.     

Complexity function and forcing in the 2D quasi-periodic Rauzy tiling

The quantitative characteristics of the long-range translational order in the 2D quasi-periodic Rauzy tiling (complexity function and forcing depth) have been investigated. It is proved that the complexity function c(n) is equal to the number of figures in the n-corona grown from a seed composed of three figures of different types. The complexity function c(n) is found to be additive. A relationship between the jumps in the maximum forcing depth and large incomplete particular expansions in a chain fraction of irrational angles of rotation of a unit circle, which determine the growth of geodetic chains, is established.     

Synthesis,conductivity, and the crystal structure of a new stable metal, β″-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">DOEO</Emphasis>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>HSeO<Subscript>4</Subscript> · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The stable metal β″-(DOEO)₂HSeO₄ · H₂O I) based on a new donor compound, 3,4-(1,4-dioxanediyl-2,3-dithio)-3′,4′-ethylenedioxo-2,5,2′,5′-tetrathiafulvalene] (DOEO), is synthesized and structurally characterized for the first time. The synthesis is performed by the electrocrystallization technique (direct current density j = 2 × 10^?6 A/cm²). The crystals are triclinic, and the unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 5.495(1) Å, b = 9.715(2) Å, c = 16.878(3) Å, α = 83.52(3)°, β = 82.54(3)°, γ = 73.51(3)°, Z = 1, and space group \(P\bar 1\). The salt has a layered structure. The DOEO^1/2+ radical cation layers are aligned parallel to the ab planes. The HS_eO ₄ ^? · H₂O solvated anions are located in channels along the a axis and are disordered over two positions near the center of symmetry (1/2 0 0) with a probability of 50%. The conductivity of the salt is equal to 300–400 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at room temperature and increases upon cooling to the boiling point of liquid helium (4.2 K) by a factor of 100–200 depending on the sample.     

Crystalline structure of Cu<Subscript>4</Subscript>SSe

Ternary compound Cu₄SSe has been first synthesized by alloying the Cu, S, and Se elements taken in stoichiometric ratios. An X-ray diffraction study of polycrystalline samples has revealed the synthesized material to be crystallized into the trigonal system with unit-cell parameters а = 4.021(1) Å, с = 6.838(1) Å, and V = 95.75(4) ų; sp. gr. P\(\bar 3\)m1; Z = 1; D_x = 6.333(3) g/cm³. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to the reliability factor R_Bragg = 0.40%.     

Crystal Structure of Cl-Deficient Analogue of Taseqite from Odikhincha Massif

An eudialyte group mineral, found in pegmatites of the Odikhincha massif (the northern part of the Siberian platform), has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The mineral is characterized by a high strontium content and a low chlorine content. It has a trigonal unit cell with the following parameters: a = 14.2700(6) Å and c = 30.057(1) Å; V = 5300.6(1) ų; sp. gr. R3m. The structure has been refined to R = 0.047 in the anisotropic approximation of atomic displacements using 1697F > 4σ(F). The idealized formula (Z = 3) was found to be Na₁₂Sr₂Ca₆Fe ₃ ²⁺ Zr₃NbSi₂₅O₇₂(OH,O)₄Cl(Н₂О)_0.2. The chemical composition and structure of this mineral are close to those of taseqite; however, it differs from the holotype sample by a low chlorine content and peculiarities of cation distribution over basic structure sites. A comparative analysis of strontium-rich eudialytes has revealed their important crystallochemical feature: selective concentration of strontium in the N4 site. Thus, taseqite, along with heterophyllosilicates, may play a role of strontium concentrator in agpaitic pegmatites.     

Ikranite: Composition and structure of a new mineral of the eudialyte group

The crystal structure of a new mineral, ikranite, of the eudialyte group discovered in the Lovozero massif (the Kola Peninsula) was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystals belong to the trigonal system and have the unit-cell parameters a = 14.167(2) Å, c = 30.081(2) Å, V = 5228.5 Å 3, sp. gr. R3m. Ikranite is the first purely ring mineral of the eudialyte group (other minerals of this group contain ring platforms of either tetrahedral or mixed types). It is also the first representative of the eudialyte group where Fe³⁺ prevail over Fe²⁺ ions.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Ethyl 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]imidazole-5-carboxylate Dihydrate and Its Building Block 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic Acid

The title compound, ethyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate dihydrate (5), was synthesized and its crystal structure was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Compound 5 is crystallized in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group \(P\bar {1}\) with Z?=?4 and Z′?=?2, and unit-cell parameters of a?=?8.9190 (3) Å, b?=?12.6888 (4) Å, c?=?14.7111 (5) Å, α?=?98.4855 (10)°, β?=?101.6379 (9)°, γ?=?95.4346 (10)° and V?=?1599.43 (9) ų. Its starting material, 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (1), is crystallized in the non-centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P2₁ and Z?=?4 with unit-cell parameters of a?=?3.7170 (4) Å, b?=?12.6475 (13) Å, c?=?15.5237 (15) Å, α?=?90°, β?=?91.9786 (16)°, γ?=?90° and V?=?729.35 (13) ų. It was noted that strong hydrogen bonds play important roles in the crystal packing of both compounds, especially in 5, in which the co-crystallized water molecules act as both strong hydrogen bond donor and strong hydrogen bond acceptor.

Graphical Abstract

Two molecule of compound 5 crystallized in a non symmetrical manner with four co-crystallized water molecules which play an important role in the crystal packing as strong hydrogen-bond donors.

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