Investigation of mixed alkaline earth phosphates. Synthesis and crystal structure of CaBa(HPO4)2: A new mixed alkaline earth hydrogenmonophosphate

Hydrothermal synthesis, IR characterization and X-ray single-crystal structure are reported for CaBa(HPO₄)₂. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/a (N∘14) with a = 9.470(2) Å, b = 7.930(1) Å, c = 9.865(1) Å, β = 115.78(1)°, V = 667.1(2) ų and Z = 4. The refinement of data leads to R = 0.0331 for 1131 observed reflections [I > 4σ(I)]. The crystal structure of CaBa(HPO₄)₂ is built up from corner-and/or edge-sharing BaO₉ polyhedra, CaO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and (H)PO₄ tetrahedra giving rise to a three-dimensional network. The HPO₄²⁻ groups are located in layers parallel to the ab plane at z ~ 0 and z ~ 1/2. Interleaved barium and calcium cations ensure the cohesion between these sheets. Hydrogen bonds contribute to the stability of the structure.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Sr(2)AlH(7): a new structural type of alkaline earth aluminum hydride

The title hydride and its deuteride were successfully synthesized. The heavy atom structure and hydrogen positions were determined respectively by X-ray powder diffraction and time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. They crystallize with a new monoclinic structure in space group I2 (No. 5); cell parameters: a = 12.575(1) A, b = 9.799(1) A, c = 7.9911(8) A, beta = 100.270(4) degrees (hydride), a = 12.552(1) A, b = 9.7826(8) A, c = 7.9816(7) A, beta = 100.286(4) degrees (deuteride), Z = 8. Sr(2)AlH(7) is the first example that consists of isolated [AlH(6)] units and infinite one-dimensional twisted chains of edge-sharing [HSr(4)] tetrahedra along the crystallographic c axis.     

Synthesis,structure, and reactivity of uranium(vi) nitrides

Uranium nitride compounds are important molecular analogues of uranium nitride materials such as UN and UN₂ which are effective catalysts in the Haber–Bosch synthesis of ammonia, but the synthesis of molecular nitrides remains a challenge and studies of the reactivity and of the nature of the bonding are poorly developed. Here we report the synthesis of the first nitride bridged uranium complexes containing U(vi) and provide a unique comparison of reactivity and bonding in U(vi)/U(vi), U(vi)/U(v) and U(v)/U(v) systems. Oxidation of the U(v)/U(v) bis-nitride [K₂{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃(μ-N)}₂], 1, with mild oxidants yields the U(v)/U(vi) complexes [K{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃(μ-N)}₂], 2 and [K₂{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃}₂(μ-N)₂(μ-I)], 3 while oxidation with a stronger oxidant (“magic blue”) yields the U(vi)/U(vi) complex [{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃}₂(μ-N)₂(μ-thf)], 4. The three complexes show very different stability and reactivity, with N₂ release observed for complex 4. Complex 2 undergoes hydrogenolysis to yield imido bridged [K₂{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃(μ-NH)}₂], 6 and rare amido bridged U(iv)/U(iv) complexes [{U(OSi(O^tBu)₃)₃}₂(μ-NH₂)₂(μ-thf)], 7 while no hydrogenolysis could be observed for 4. Both complexes 2 and 4 react with H⁺ to yield quantitatively NH₄Cl, but only complex 2 reacts with CO and H₂. Differences in reactivity can be related to significant differences in the U–N bonding. Computational studies show a delocalised bond across the U–N–U for 1 and 2, but an asymmetric bonding scheme is found for the U(vi)/U(vi) complex 4 which shows a U–N σ orbital well localised to U N and π orbitals which partially delocalise to form the U–N single bond with the other uranium.

The first examples of molecular compounds containing the cyclic (U(vi)N)₂ and (U(v)U(vi)N)₂ cores were obtained by oxidation of the (U(v)U(v)N)₂ analogue. Different bonding within these complexes yields different stability and reactivity with CO and H₂.     

Synthesis and spectral characterization of alkaline earth metal complexes: Crystal structure of a Ca(II) hippuric acid complex

Alkaline earth metal (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) complexes of hippuric acid (hipH) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy. One of the complexes, [Ca(hip)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O, was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The polymeric structure is based on a dimeric unit and each calcium is coordinated to four hippurate anions and two coordinated water molecules. The hippurate anion functions as a bidentate ligand through the oxygen atoms of the carboxylate groups, one of which is bridging, forming a two dimensional coordination polymer. The water coordination is further confirmed by thermal analysis. The non-linear optical activity of the complexes was also measured.     

Coordination chemistry of alkali and alkaline earth cations: Synthesis and crystal structure of potassium(benzo-15-crown-5)2 [3,5-dinitrobenzoate(3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid)2]

The interaction of K(35-Dnb) (35-Dnb=3,5-dinitrobenzoate) with benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) in ethanol yields a charge-separated sandwich structured complex [K(B15C5)₂]⁺[35-Dnb(35-DnbH)₂]^– even when equimolar amounts of reactants were used and no external 35-DnbH was added to the reaction mixture. The complex (KC₄₉H₅₁O₂₈N₆, FW=1211.1), is monoclinic,P2₁/c,a=11.063(2),b=10.680(1),c=46.548(8) Å, =91.629(2)⁰,Z=4,D ₀=1.485 g/cm³,D _c=1.468 g/cm³, CuK =1.5418 Å, =17.01 cm^–1, 2<130⁰,F(000)=2520,T=298 K. FinalR for the 6618 observed reflections was 0.071. In the sandwich moiety, the K⁺ is 10-coordinated through all the oxygens of the crown molecules (K⁺–O, 2.76–3.11 Å). The 35-Dnb anion lies 5.3 Å below the lower crown mean plane and is charge separated with respect to K⁺ (K⁺–O^–>7 Å) but undergoes strong hydrogen bonding (2.59 and 2.49 Å) through each carboxylate oxygen with the carboxylic protons of two separate 35-DnbH molecules. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82014 (52 pages).     

Synthesis and acid digestion of biomorphic ceramics: determination of alkaline and alkaline earth ions

Ceramic and glass are some of the more recent engineering materials and those that are most resistant to environmental conditions. They belong to advanced materials in that they are being developed for the aerospace and electronics industries. In the last decade, a new class of ceramic materials has been the focus of particular attention. The materials were produced with natural, renewable resources (wood or wood-based products). In this work, we have synthesised a new biomorphic ceramic material from oak wood and Si infiltration. After the material characterization, we have optimized the dissolution of the sample by acid attack in an oven under microwave irradiation. Experimental designs were used as a multivariate strategy for the evaluation of the effects of varying several variables at the same time. The optimization was performed in two steps using factorial design for preliminary evaluation and a Draper-Lin design for determination of the critical experimental conditions. Five variables (time, power, volume of HNO3, volume H2SO4 and volume of HF) were considered as factors and as a response the concentration of different metal ions in the optimization process. Interactions between analytical factors and their optimal levels were investigated using a Draper-Lin design.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of heavy alkaline earth N,N'-bis(aryl)formamidinate complexes

Treatment of calcium or strontium with 2.0 equivalents of N,N-bis(o-methylphenyl)formamidine (o-TolFormH), N,N-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)formamidine (XylFormH) or N,N-bis(o-phenylphenyl)formamidine (o-PhPhFormH) in the presence of 1.0 equivalent of Hg(C6F5)2 in tetrahydrofuran (thf) affords the bis(formamidinate) complexes [Ca(o-TolForm)2(thf)2] (1), [Ca(XylForm)2(thf)2] (2), [Ca(o-PhPhForm)2(thf)2].thf (3), [Sr(o-TolForm)2(thf)3] (4), [Sr(XylForm)2(thf)3].3thf (5) and [Sr(o-PhPhForm)2(thf)3].2thf (6). Analogous reactions with barium were generally unsatisfactory but [Ba(o-PhPhForm)2(thf)3].2thf (7) was successfully prepared. Compounds 1-7 have been characterised by various spectroscopic methods (1H, 13C{1H} NMR and IR), elemental analyses and, for 1, 2 and 4-6, X-ray crystallography. The calcium complexes are monomeric and six-coordinate with either transoid octahedral or trigonal prismatic geometry, whilst the larger radius of strontium accommodates an additional thf solvent donor to give seven-coordinate structures with two types of coordination polyhedra.     

Synthesis and characterization of solvated trifluoroacetate alkaline earth derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of the trifluoroacetic acid (H-TFA) derivatives of a series of alkaline earth congeners was undertaken through the dissolution of the alkaline earth (A^E) metal in H-TFA. After drying, the resulting reaction powders were independently crystallized from Lewis basic solvents [pyridine (py) or tetrahydrofuran (THF)] as diverse A^E-TFA derivatives. For the smallest cation, an octahedrally bound monomer Mg(TFA)₂(py)₄ (1) was isolated, wherein the TFA ligands were all terminally (TFA) bound. The remaining compounds were found to adopt polymeric structures with: only bridging (μ-TFA) ligands for {[Ca₂(μ-TFA)₃(THF)₄](μ-TFA)}_n (2); a mixture of μ-TFA and chelating bridging (μ_c-TFA) ligands in {[(μ-TFA)₂Sr(μ_c-TFA)][H-py]py}_n (3); and only μ_c-TFA ligands for {[Ba(μ_c-TFA)₂(μ_c-TFA)(py)][H-py]}_n (4) structure. The later two structures were solved with a pyridinium salt located in the lattice. The trend observed for the TFA ligand was that as the cation increases in size, the ligands transform from bridging to chelating bridging due to the increased coordination sphere of the metals. Elemental analyses, solid-state, and solution multinuclear NMR, and FTIR data confirm the bulk powders were consistent with the X-ray structures.     

Coordination chemistry of alkali and alkaline earth cations: Crystal structure of rubidium (benzo-15-crown-5)2NO3·H2O

The complex Rb(B15C5)₂NO₃·H₂O is monoclinic,P2_1/c,a=12.695(3),b=19.471(3),c=12.991(2)Å, =99.60(2)^o,V=3166 ų,D _c =1.473 g/cm³ (163 K),D _c =1.434 g/cm³ (298 K),D _o =1.44 g/cm³ (298 K),T=163K,Z=4, MoK=0.71069 Å, 2(4^o–53^o), =16.43 cm^–1,F(000)=1424. FinalR for the 4588 observed reflections (F>3) is 0.062. All ten oxygens of the two benzo-crowns are shown to coordinate to the rubidium ion (Rb...O,2.92 to 3.07 Å) forming a charge-separated sandwich. The nearest nitrate oxygen is displaced 6.51 Å from the rubidium ion and is hydrogen bonded to a water molecule. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82028 (28 pages)     

Luminescence and energy transfer between Ce~(3 ) and Mn~(2 ) in alkaline earth borates

The luminescence of Ce and Ce , Mn co-doped BaB8O13 and SrB4O7 prepared in air is studied. The results show that tetravalent cerium ion can be reduced to trivalent state in the hosts and gives rise to efficient luminescence. Energy transfer between Ce3 and Mn2 is possible. Mn2 ions can be efficiently sensitized by Ce 3 and exhibit green and red emissions which implied that Mn2 occupied the crystallographic sites of cations and boron sites of the anoins, respectively. The intensity ratio of red to green emission in matrix increases with the increasing of manganese concentration.     

Syntheses and structures of alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides)

Various preparative procedures are employed in order to synthesize alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides) such as (i) metalation of HNPh2 with the alkaline earth metal M, (ii) metalation of HNPh2 with MPh2, (iii) metathesis reaction of MI2 with KNPh2, (iv) metalation of HNPh2 with PhMI in THF, and (v) metathesis reaction of PhMI with KNPh2 followed by a dismutation reaction yielding MPh2 and M(NPh2)2. The magnesium compounds [(diox)MgPh2]infinity (1) and (thf)2Mg(NPh2)2 (2) show tetracoordinate metal atoms, whereas in (dme)2Ca(NPh2)2 (3), (thf)4Sr(NPh2)2 (4), and (thf)4Ba(NPh2)2 (5) the metals are 6-fold coordinated. Additional agostic interactions between an ipso-carbon of one of the phenyl groups of the amide ligand and the alkaline earth metal atom lead to unsymmetric coordination of the NPh2 anions with two strongly different M-N-C angles in 3-5.     

Studies on rare earth trisoxalatochromates (III), rare earth chromates (V) and rare earth chromites (III)

Rare earth trisoxalatochromates (III), LnCr(C₂O₄)₃·nH₂O (n = 9 for La, and n = 8 for Ce, Pr and Nd) have been isolated and characterized by a number of physicochemical studies. These compounds (except for Ce) serve as precursors for the rare earth chromates (V) and chromites (III). LnCrO₄ may be obtained by heating LnCr(C₂O₄)₃·nH₂O at 520°C for 4 hr and LnCrO₃ at 900°C for a similar period. CeCr(C₂O₄)₃. 8H₂O decomposes to a mixture of CeO₂ and Cr₂O₃. The EPR spectra of LaCrO₄ are consistent with a tetrahedral geometry of the CrO₄ group. Although the unit cell of LaCrO₄ is monoclinic and of NdCrO₄ is tetragonal, compounds of composition La_1−xNd_xCrO₄ show the presence of only monoclinic phase for x up to 0.23. The electronic spectra of LnCrO₃ are compatible with the perovskite structure of these compounds.     

On surface states of transition metal carbides,nitrides, and oxides: (001), (011), and (111) surfaces

The simple semiquantitative approach to the calculation of the energy of surface states, proposed recently by the authors, is applied to high-symmetry surfaces of selected transition metal carbides, nitrides, and oxides. The results are compared with recent experimental and theoretical data. The necessity to include the changes in the potential at the crystal surface is indicated.     

1,3-Bis(alkylimino)isoindolinates of rare earth metals: Synthesis,molecular structure and photoluminescence

The rare earth metal isoindolinates Ln(ⁱPrL)₃ (Ln = Sc (1), Y (2), Eu (3), Dy (4), Yb (5); ⁱPrL = 1,3-bis(isopropylimino)isoindolinate anion) and [(MeL)Ce]₂(μ-MeL)₄ (6) (MeL = 1,3-bis(methylimino)isoindolinate anion) were synthesized by reactions of the amides Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ with 1,3-bis(isopropylimino)isoindoline (ⁱPrLH) or 1,3-bis(methylimino)isoindoline (MeLH), respectively. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that in monomeric molecules of the isopropyl-substituted compounds 2 and 4 the cations Ln³⁺ are η²-coordinated by three isoindolinate ligands. The methyl-substituted 6 exists in a crystal as a dimer containing two terminal η²-coordinated ligands and four bridging isoindolinate ligands two of which are bonded to Ce atoms in η³ fashion (η:η:η-N,N,N) but two others in η⁴ manner (η:η²:η-N,N,N). All the obtained complexes in solutions exhibited ligand-centered photoluminescence, the spectra of which consist of one broadened band with a maximum at 400–450 nm.     

Chains of [RE6] octahedra coupled by (NCN) links in the network structure of RE2Cl(CN2)N. Synthesis and structure of two novel rare earth chloride carbodiimide nitrides with structures related to the RE2Cl3 type

Solid state metathesis reactions between RECl(3) (RE = La, Ce) and Li(2)CN(2) at 800 degrees C have led to the discovery of the rare earth chloride carbodiimide nitrides La(2)Cl(CN(2))N (1) and Ce(2)Cl(CN(2))N (2), respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that 1 and 2 crystallize isotypic in an orthorhombic system (Cmmm, Z = 4, a = 13.3914(8) A, b = 9.6345(7) A, c = 3.9568(2) A for 1 and a = 13.340(1) A, b = 9.5267(8) A, c = 3.9402(5) A for 2). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 contain linear chains of edge-sharing octahedra built from rare earth metal atoms. Similar to [M(6)X(8)] type clusters, the [RE(6)] octahedra are capped by eight nitrogen atoms above their faces, of which four are from N(3-) ions and the other four are from (CN(2))(2-) ions. The chains are interconnected by bridging (CN(2))(2-) to form a three-dimensional network with Cl(-) ions in linear channels. Compounds 1 and 2 are surprisingly stable toward air and water. They have been characterized by thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility studies.     

Superconducting LaRu2P2 and other alkaline earth and rare earth metal ruthenium and osmium phosphides and arsenides with ThCr2Si2 structure

The ThCr₂Si₂-type compounds MRu₂P₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), MOs₂P₂ (M = Sr, Ba, Eu), and MRu₂As₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, La, Eu) were prepared by sintering techniques and/or by reaction of the elemental components in a tin flux. The crystal structures of SrRu₂P₂ and LaRu₂P₂ were refined from single-crystal diffractometer data to residuals of R = 0.019 (224 structure factors, 11 variable parameters) and R = 0.028 (510 F's, 11 variables), respectively. LaRu₂P₂ is diamagnetic and becomes superconducting at 4.1 K. No transition to a superconducting state was observed down to 1.8 K for the compounds MFe₂P₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, La), MRu₂P₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Y), and MOs₂P₂ (M = Sr, Ba).