Zr(11)Sb(18): a new binary antimonide exhibiting an unusual Sb atom network with nonclassical Sb-Sb bonding

The herewith-introduced antimonides Zr(11)Sb(18) and Zr(10.4)V(0.6)Sb(18) were prepared by high-temperature techniques; both arc-melting and solid-state reactions at 1200 degrees C starting from alpha-ZrSb(2) and the metals Zr and V in powder form are possible methods. These isostructural compounds represent an unprecedented metal:antimony ratio of 11:18 and form a new structure type. Zr(11)Sb(18) crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I(-)42d, with the lattice dimensions a = 676.94(4) pm and c = 6007.3(5) pm, while the V-containing phase forms a slightly smaller unit cell with a = 676.48(8) pm and c = 6005.6(9) pm (Z = 4). Their structures are comprised of an Sb atom substructure with several intermediate Sb-Sb bonds starting at 311 pm, which is reminiscent of that found in the series (Ti,M)(5)Sb(8) (M = Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo) published last year. Interwoven with this network is the Zr atom network, which forms a diamond-like metal atom substructure with long Zr-Zr contacts of ca. 360 pm. Band structure calculations based on the linear muffin tin orbital approach reveal these antimonides to be mainly stabilized by strong M-Sb and intermediate Sb-Sb bonds, and additionally--to the smallest extent--by M-M bonds (M = Zr, V). In agreement with the electronic structure calculations, Zr(11)Sb(18) is metallic with a small positive Seebeck coefficient.     

A three-dimensional extended Sb network in the metallic antimonides (M',Ti)5Sb8 (M' = Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo)

(M',Ti)5Sb8 was prepared from the melt by arc-melting suitable mixtures of Ti, TiSb2, and M'Sb2, respectively. This phase exists at least with M' = Zr, Hf, Nb, and Mo. A significant phase range for Zr delta Ti5 - delta Sb8 was found to be within 1.10(8) < or = delta < or = 3.9(3). All (M',Ti)5Sb8 representatives investigated occur in the same, yet hitherto unknown structure type, as determined by single-crystal analyses. E.g., the lattice dimensions of Zr delta Ti5 - delta Sb8 range from a = 654.49(3) pm, c = 2662.4(2) pm for delta = 1.10(8) to a = 671.06(6), c = 2679.7(4) pm for delta = 3.9(3) (space group I4(1)22, No. 98, Z = 4). The three chemically inequivalent metal sites are statistically occupied by different mixtures of the M atoms M' and Ti, included in a three-dimensional network of Sb atoms on 6- to 8-fold Sb coordinated positions. Sb-Sb bonds of intermediate lengths occur in addition to the predominating heteronuclear M-Sb bonds. Physical property measurements of (Zr,Ti)5Sb8 reveal these phases being metallic exhibiting specific resistances of several m omega.cm and a small Seebeck coefficient at room temperature, in agreement with the results of the electronic structure calculations on the LMTO and extended Hückel levels. The calculations indicate a possible change to semiconducting properties by heavy doping.     

Synthesis, crystal and electronic structures of the new quaternary phases A5Cd2Sb5F (A = Sr, Ba, Eu), and Ba5Cd2Sb5O(x) (0.5<x<0.7)

A new family of quaternary fluoro-antimonides A(5)Cd(2)Sb(5)F (A = Sr, Ba, Eu) and oxyantimonides Ba(5)Cd(2)Sb(5)O(x) (0.5相似文献   

Diverse polyanions based on MnBi4 and MnSb4 tetrahedra: polymorphism, structure, and bonding in Ca21Mn4Bi18 and Ca21Mn4Sb18

New transition-metal-containing Zintl phases, Ca21Mn4Bi18 and Ca21Mn4Sb18, have been synthesized by high-temperature reactions, and their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ca21Mn4Bi18 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15, Z = 4) with a = 17.470(2) A, b = 17.392(2) A, c = 17.208(2) A, beta = 93.253(2) degrees (R1 = 0.0405, wR2 = 0.0840) and is isostructural with the recently reported Ca21Mn4Sb18. The compound with the same formula, which is also reported herein, is in turn a new polymorph of Ca21Mn4Sb18 and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12, Z = 4) with a = 17.415(6) A, b = 16.567(6) A, c = 17.047(6) A, beta = 92.068(4) degrees (R1 = 0.0432, wR2 = 0.0788). This new polymorph of Ca21Mn4Sb18 is isostructural with another related compound, Sr21Mn4Sb18. Despite the similarity in their chemical formulas, the structures of Ca21Mn4Bi18 and Ca21Mn4Sb18 are very different: Ca21Mn4Bi18 contains unique [Mn4Bi10] cluster anions made up of four MnBi4 tetrahedra connected through edge-sharing. The structure of Ca21Mn4Sb18 features edge- and corner-shared MnSb4 tetrahedra, which make [Mn4Sb11] tetramers. The latter are linked to each other through external Sb-Sb bonds to form larger isolated [Mn8Sb22] polyanions. Electronic band structure calculations performed using the TB-LMTO-ASA method show a small band gap at the Fermi level, suggesting narrow-gap semiconducting behavior for both compounds.     

Structural and Quantum Chemical Study of Bi(5)(3+) and Isoelectronic Main-Group Metal Clusters. The Crystal Structure of Pentabismuth(3+) Tetrachlorogallate(III) Refined from X-ray Powder Diffraction Data and Synthetic Attempts on Its Antimony Analogue

Pentabismuth(3+) tetrachlorogallate(III), (Bi(5)(3+))(GaCl(4)(-))(3), has been synthesized by reducing a BiCl(3)-GaCl(3) melt with bismuth metal and the crystal structure refined from X-ray (Cu Kalpha(1)) powder diffraction data. The structure was found to belong to space group R-3c, with the lattice parameters a = 11.871(2) ? and c = 30.101(3) ? (Z = 6). It is isostructural with the previously characterized Bi(5)(AlCl(4))(3). An attempt to synthesise the antimony analogue Sb(5)(GaCl(4))(3) by reducing a SbCl(3)-GaCl(3) mixture with gallium metal produced a black solid phase. The gallium content of this phase is consistent with the stoichiometry Sb(5)(GaCl(4))(3), and the Raman spectrum of the phase dissolved in SbCl(3)-GaCl(3) comprises strong, low-frequency bands attributable to Sb-Sb stretch vibrations in Sb(5)(3+) or another reduced antimony species. Quantum chemical analyses have been performed for the isoelectronic, trigonal pyramidal closo-clusters Sn(5)(2-), Sb(5)(3+), Tl(5)(7-), Pb(5)(2-), and Bi(5)(3+), both with extended Hückel (eH) and Hartree-Fock (HF) methods. The HF calculations were performed with and without corrections for the local electron-electron correlation using second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). All theoretical results are compared and evaluted with respect to experimental cluster structures and vibrational frequencies. The results from the calculations agree well with available experimental data for the solid-state structures and vibrational spectra of these cluster ions, except for the Tl(5)(7-) ion. Isolated Tl(5)(7-) is suggested to be electronically unstable because of the high charge density. The Sb(5)(3+) cluster ion is indicated to be stable. According to the calculations, Sn(5)(2-) and Pb(5)(2-) may be described in terms of edge-localized bonds without substantial electron density between the equatorial atoms, whereas Sb(5)(3+) and Bi(5)(3+) have electron density evenly distributed over all M-M vectors. Furthermore, the theoretical results give no support for a D(3h) --> C(4v) fluxionality of these clusters.     

A New Family of Nonstoichiometric Layered Rare-Earth Tin Antimonides, RESn(x)()Sb(2) (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm): Crystal Structure of LaSn(0.75)Sb(2)

A new class of nonstoichiometric layered ternary rare-earth tin antimonides, RESn(x)()Sb(2) (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm), has been synthesized through reaction of the elements at 950 degrees C. In the lanthanum series LaSn(x)()Sb(2), tin can be incorporated from a maximum content of x approximately 0.7 or 0.8 to as low as x approximately 0.10. The structure of lanthanum tin diantimonide with the maximum tin content, LaSn(0.75)Sb(2), has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group -Cmcm with a = 4.2425(5) ?, b = 23.121(2) ?, c = 4.5053(6) ?, and Z = 4. The isostructural rare-earth analogues were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The structure of LaSn(0.75)Sb(2) comprises layers of composition "LaSb(2)" in which La atoms are coordinated by Sb atoms in a square-antiprismatic geometry. Between these layers reside chains of Sn atoms distributed over three crystallographically independent sites, each partially occupied at about 20%. The structure of LaSn(0.75)Sb(2) can be regarded as resulting from the excision of RE-Sb and Sb-Sb bonds in the related structures of binary rare-earth diantimonides, RESb(2), and then intercalation of Sn atoms between layers.     

Mixed-valent selenidoantimonates(III,V) with transition-metal complexes as counterions: solvothermal syntheses and characterization of [M(dien)2]2Sb4Se9 (M = Mn, Fe), [Co(dien)2]2Sb2Se6, and [Ni(dien)2]2Sb2Se5

Novel selenidoantimonate compounds [M(dien)2]2Sb4Se9 [M = Mn (1), Fe (2)], [Co(dien)2]2Sb2Se6 (3), and [Ni(dien)2]2Sb2Se5 (4) (dien = diethylenetriamine) were solvothermally synthesized and characterized. The unique features of compounds 1-3 are the mixed-valent anionic structures constructed by the Sb(III)Se3 trigonal pyramid and Sb(V)Se4 tetrahedron. Three Sb(III)Se3 pyramids share common corners, forming a heterocyclic Sb3Se6 moiety, and the Sb3Se6 moieties are further connected with Sb(V)Se4 tetrahedra to form the novel one-dimensional [Sb4Se9(4-)]n anionic chain in 1 and 2. The discrete [Sb2Se6]4- anion in 3 is formed by an Sb(III)Se3 trigonal pyramid and an Sb(V)Se4 tetrahedron sharing a common corner. The [Sb2Se5]4- anion in 4 is composed of two Sb(III)Se3 trigonal pyramids connected in the same manner as the [Sb2Se6]4- anion. The mixed-valent [Sb4Se9(4-)]n and [Sb2Se6]4- anions were not observed before. The synthesis and solid-state structural studies of the title compounds show that the transition-metal complexes exhibit different structure-directing effects on the formation of selenidoantimonates in dien. Extensive N-H...Se hydrogen bonds are observed between cations and anions in compounds 1-4, resulting in three-dimensional network structures. Optical and thermal properties of the compounds are reported.     

Structures and Chemical Bonding in Antimony(III) Bromide Complexes with Pyridine

Weakly or “partially” bonded molecules are an important link between the chemical and van der Waals interactions. Molecular structures of six new SbBr₃-Py complexes in the solid state have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In all complexes all Sb atoms adopt a pseudo-octahedral coordination geometry which is completed by additional Sb⋅⋅⋅Br contacts shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, with Br−Sb⋅⋅⋅Br angles close to 180°. To reveal the nature of Sb–Br and Sb–N interactions, the DFT calculations were performed followed by the analysis of the electrostatic potentials, the orbital interactions and the topological analysis. Based on Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis, the Sb–Br interactions range from the covalent bonds to the pnictogen bonds. A simple structural parameter, non-covalence criterion (NCC) is defined as a ratio of the atom-atom distance to the linear combination of sums of covalent and van der Waals radii. NCC correlates with E(2) values for Sb−N, Sb−Cl and Sb−Br bonds, and appears to be useful criterion for a preliminary evaluation of the bonding situation.     

Direct synthesis of the 1,2,3-[C6H4P...P...P]- anion, isoelectronic with the indenyl anion [C6H4CH...CH...CH]-

The two products obtained from the reaction of 1,2-(PH(2))(2)C(6)H(4) with the mixed-metal base (n)BuLi-Sb(NMe(2))(3) in the presence of 12-crown-4, [Li(12-crown-4)(2)]+[C(6)H(4)P(3)]- (1) and {[Li(12-crown-4)(2)]+}3[Sb(11)]3- (2), represent thermodynamic sinks in which P-P and Sb-Sb bonding are maximized at the expense of P-Sb bonding, providing access to the 1,2,3-[C(6)H(4)P(3)]- phospholide anion.     

Importance of cations in the properties of Zintl phases: the electronic structure of and bonding in metallic Na6TlSb41

The novel metallic compound Na(6)TlSb(4) consists of four-membered TlSb(3) rings joined by pairs of Sb atoms into Tl(2)Sb(8) units, the last of which is further interconnected into 1D anionic chains via Tl-Tl bonds. The contrast of its metallic conductivity with that of the 2 - e(-) poorer, electron precise, and semiconducting Zintl phase K(6)Tl(2)Sb(3), which has virtually the same anionic network, has been investigated by ab initio LMTO-DFT methods. Sodium ion participation is found to be appreciable in the (largely) Sb p valence band and especially significant in an additional low-lying conduction band generated by antimony ppi and sodium orbitals. The one pyramidal 3-bonded Sb atom appears to be largely responsible for the interchain conduction process. The substitution of one Tl by Sb, which occurs when the countercation is changed from potassium in K(6)Tl(2)Sb(3) to sodium, yielding only Na(6)TlSb(4), is driven by a distinctly tighter packing, a corresponding increase in the Madelung energy, and binding of the excess pair of electrons in the new conduction band.     

Synthesis and Structure of Ba(2)Sn(3)Sb(6), a Zintl Phase Containing Channels and Chains

The new Zintl phase dibarium tritin hexaantimonide, Ba(2)Sn(3)Sb(6) has been synthesized, and its structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group -Pnma with a = 13.351(1) ?, b = 4.4100(5) ?, c = 24.449(3) ?, and Z = 4 (T = -50 degrees C). The structure of Ba(2)Sn(3)Sb(6) comprises large channels [010] defined by 30-membered rings constructed from an anionic framework. This framework is built up from Sn-centered trigonal pyramids and tetrahedra, as well as zigzag chains of Sb atoms. Within the channels reside the Ba(2+) cations and additional isolated zigzag Sb-Sb chains. The simultaneous presence of Sn trigonal pyramids and tetrahedra implies that Ba(2)Sn(3)Sb(6) is a mixed-valence compound whose oxidation state notation can be best represented as (Ba(2+))(2)[(Sn(II))(2)(Sn(IV))(Sb(-)(III))(3)(Sb(-)(I))](2)(-)[(Sb(-)(I))(2)](2)(-).     

Probing the electronic structures of ternary perovskite and pyrochlore oxides containing Sn(4+) or Sb(5+)

Experimental and computational studies were performed to understand the electronic structure of ternary perovskites (ASnO(3), A = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd), pyrochlores (RE(2)Sn(2)O(7), RE = Y, La, Lu; Cd(2)Sb(2)O(7)), and defect pyrochlore oxides (Ag(2)Sb(2)O(6)) containing the main group ions Sn(4+) and Sb(5+). In all compounds, the lowest energy states in the conduction band arise primarily from the antibonding Sn/Sb 5s-O 2p interaction. In the alkaline-earth stannate perovskites (BaSnO(3), SrSnO(3), and CaSnO(3)) the conduction bandwidth decreases strongly in response to the octahedral tilting distortion triggered by the decreasing size of the alkaline-earth cation. This in turn leads to a corresponding increase in the band gap from 3.1 eV in BaSnO(3) to 4.4 eV in CaSnO(3). The band gap of CdSnO(3) is relatively small (3.0 eV) considering the large octahedral tilting distortion. The origin of this apparent anomaly is the mixing between the empty Cd 5s orbitals and the antibonding Sn 5s-O 2p states. This mixing leads to a widening of the conduction band and a corresponding decrease in the band gap. The participation of the normally inert A-site cation in the electronic structure near the Fermi level can be considered an inductive effect, as it utilizes substitution on the A-site to directly modify the electronic structure of the SnO(3)(2)(-) framework. While the pyrochlore structure is more complicated, the energy level and width of the lowest energy conduction band can be analyzed in a manner similar to that utilized on the perovskite structure. The Sn-O-Sn and Sb-O-Sb bonds are highly distorted from linear geometry in pyrochlore, leading to a relatively narrow conduction band and a wide band gap. In Cd(2)Sb(2)O(7) and Ag(2)Sb(2)O(6) the Cd(2+) and Ag(+) ions exhibit a strong inductive effect that widens the conduction band and lowers the band gap significantly, very similar to the effect observed in the perovskite form of CdSnO(3).     

Ternary zirconium tin Antimonide ZrSn2-xSbx (0.2 < x < 0.8), different from the parent binaries ZrSn2 and ZrSb2

The new intermetallic phase ZrSn2-xSbx was prepared by arc-melting and annealing at 800 degrees C. It adopts the hexagonal CrSi2-type structure (Pearson symbol hP9, space group P6222 (or P6422), Z = 3, a = 5.51-5.53 A, c = 7.65-7.63 A) and exhibits a significant phase width (0.2 < x < 0.8). In contrast, the parent binary phases adopt different structures: ZrSn2 has the orthorhombic TiSi2-type structure, and ZrSb2 exists as two orthorhombic forms (alpha-ZrSb2, own type; "beta-ZrSb2", PbCl2-type). The structures of ZrSn2, ZrSn2-xSbx, and beta-ZrSb2 are distinguished by the stacking and distortion of nets with composition "ZrQ2" (Q = Sn, Sb). The CrSi2-type and TiSi2-type structures differ only minimally in energy, but interlayer Sb-Sb bonding is important in stabilizing the structure of beta-ZrSb2.     

Tetrachloro- and Tetrabromostibonium(V) Cations: Raman and (19)F, (121)Sb, and (123)Sb NMR Spectroscopic Characterization and X-ray Crystal Structures of SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-)

The stable salts, SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), have been prepared by oxidation of Sb(OTeF(5))(3) with Cl(2) and Br(2), respectively. The SbBr(4)(+) cation is reported for the first time and is only the second example of a tetrahalostibonium(V) cation. The SbCl(4)(+) cation had been previously characterized as the Sb(2)F(11)(-), Sb(2)Cl(2)F(9)(-), and Sb(2)Cl(0.5)F(10.5)(-) salts. Both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts have been characterized in the solid state by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Owing to the weakly coordinating nature of the Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) anion, both salts are readily soluble in SO(2)ClF and have been characterized in solution by (121)Sb, (123)Sb, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy. The tetrahedral environments around the Sb atoms of the cations result in low electric field gradients at the quadrupolar (121)Sb and (123)Sb nuclei and correspondingly long relaxation times, allowing the first solution NMR characterization of a tetrahalocation of the heavy pnicogens. The following crystal structures are reported: SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.022(1) ?, c = 18.995(4) ?, V = 1652.3(6) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.652 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0461; SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.206(1) ?, c = 19.297(3) ?, V = 1740.9(5) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.806 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0425. The crystal structures of both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts are similar and reveal considerably weaker interactions between anion and cation than in previously known SbCl(4)(+) salts. Both cations are undistorted tetrahedra with bond lengths of 2.221(3) ? for SbCl(4)(+) and 2.385(2) ? for SbBr(4)(+). The Raman spectra are consistent with undistorted SbX(4)(+) tetrahedra and have been assigned under T(d)() point symmetry. Trends within groups 15 and 17 are noted among the general valence force constants of the PI(4)(+), AsF(4)(+), AsBr(4)(+), AsI(4)(+), SbCl(4)(+) and SbBr(4)(+) cations, which have been calculated for the first time, and the previously determined force constants for NF(4)(+), NCl(4)(+), PF(4)(+), PCl(4)(+), PBr(4)(+), and AsCl(4)(+), which have been recalculated for the P and As cations in the present study. The SbCl(4)(+) salt is stable in SO(2)ClF solution, whereas the SbBr(4)(+) salt decomposes slowly in SO(2)ClF at room temperature and rapidly in the presence of Br(-) ion and in CH(3)CN solution at low temperatures. The major products of the decompositions are SbBr(2)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), as an adduct with CH(3)CN in CH(3)CN solvent, and Br(2).     

Antimony-121 Mössbauer spectral study of alpha-Zn4Sb3

The M?ssbauer spectra of alpha-Zn4Sb3, a compound that is best formulated as alpha-Zn13Sb10 or (Zn2+)13(Sb3-)6(Sb24-)2, have been measured between 5 and 120 K. The resulting six spectra have been simultaneously fit with two components in the ratio of 3:2 corresponding to the Sb3- and Sb2- ions identified in this valence semiconductor. The fits yield temperature independent isomer shifts of -8.17(2) and -9.73(2) mm/s and quadrupole interactions of -4.9(2) and 0 mm/s for the Sb3- and Sb2- ions, respectively; the corresponding M?ssbauer temperatures are 197(5) and 207(5) K, temperatures that are lower than the Debye temperature of beta-Zn4Sb3. The isomer shifts correspond to electronic configurations between 5s25p6 and 5s1.755p4.01 for the Sb3- ions and between 5s25p5 and 5s1.805p3.38 for the Sb2- ions, configurations that are in good agreement with the expected configurations for this valence semiconductor and with the results of band structure calculations.     

Exploratory synthesis in the solid state. Endless wonders

This article gives an overview of recent developments in three areas of solid state chemistry: (1) The discovery that centered and originally-adventitious interstitial elements Z are essential for the stability of M6X12-type cluster halides of group 3 and 4 metals has led to a large amount of new chemistry through tuning structures and compositions of AnM6(Z)X12Xn phases with the variables Z, x, and n. The corresponding metal-rich group 3 tellurides exhibit novel and more extensive metal aggregation, reflecting a decreased number of anions and valence electrons. (2) Many intrinsically metallic T5M3 phases with a Mn5Si3-type structure are formed by early transition metals T with main-group elements M. Each characteristically reacts with diverse elements (up to 15-20 each) to form stuffed interstitial versions T5M3Z of the same structure. The ranges of Z and some properties are described. Related reactions of hydrogen (often as an impurity) in Mn5Si3-, beta-Yb5Sb3-, and Cr5B3-type systems are extensive. Substantially all previous reports of beta-Yb5Sb3- and Cr5B3-type phases for divalent metals with pnictogen (As-Bi) and tetrel (Si-Pb) elements, respectively, have been for the hydrides, and about two-thirds do not exist without that hydrogen (or fluorine). (3) The developing chemistry of anionic polymetal cluster compounds of the main-group elements with alkali-metal cations is outlined, particularly for the triel elements In and Tl. These clusters lie to the left of what has been called the Zintl boundary, many are new hypoelectronic polyhedra, some may be centered by the same or another neighboring element, and so far all have been isolated only as neat solid state compounds in which specificity of cation-anion interactions seems important. Extended networks are also encountered.     

Layered rare-earth gallium antimonides REGaSb(2) (RE = La--Nd, Sm).

The ternary rare-earth gallium antimonides, REGaSb(2) (RE = La--Nd, Sm), have been synthesized through reaction of the elements. The structures of SmGaSb(2) (orthorhombic, space group D(5)(2)-C222(1), Z = 4, a = 4.3087(5) A, b = 22.093(4) A, c = 4.3319(4) A) and NdGaSb(2) (tetragonal, space group D(19)(4h)-I4(1)/amd, Z = 8, a = 4.3486(3) A, c = 44.579(8) A) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The SmGaSb(2)-type structure is adopted for RE = La and Sm, whereas the NdGaSb(2)-type structure is adopted for RE = Ce--Nd. The layered SmGaSb(2) and NdGaSb(2) structures are stacking variants of each other. In both structures, two-dimensional layers of composition (2)(infinity)[GaSb] are separated from square nets of Sb atoms [Sb] by RE atoms. Alternatively, the structures may be considered as resulting from the insertion of zigzag Ga chains between (2)(infinity)[RE Sb(2)] slabs. In SmGaSb(2), all of the Ga chains are parallel and the (2)(infinity)[SmSb(2)] layers are stacked in a ZrSi(2)-type arrangement. In NdGaSb(2), the Ga chains alternate in direction, resulting in a doubling of the long axis relative to SmGaSb(2), and the (2)(infinity)[NdSb(2)] layers are stacked in a Zr(3)Al(4)Si(5)-type arrangement. Extended Hückel band structure calculations are used to explain the bonding in the [GaSb(2)](3-) substructure.     

Supramolecular chemistry of halogens: complementary features of inorganic (M-X) and organic (C-X') halogens applied to M-X...X'-C halogen bond formation

Electronic differences between inorganic (M-X) and organic (C-X) halogens in conjunction with the anisotropic charge distribution associated with terminal halogens have been exploited in supramolecular synthesis based upon intermolecular M-X...X'-C halogen bonds. The synthesis and crystal structures of a family of compounds trans-[MCl(2)(NC(5)H(4)X-3)(2)] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II); X = F, Cl, Br, I; NC(5)H(4)X-3 = 3-halopyridine) are reported. With the exception of the fluoropyridine compounds, network structures propagated by M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds are adopted and involve all M-Cl and all C-X groups. M-Cl...X-C interactions show Cl...X separations shorter than van der Waals values, shorter distances being observed for heavier halogens (X). Geometries with near linear Cl...X-C angles (155-172 degrees ) and markedly bent M-Cl...X angles (92-137 degrees ) are consistently observed. DFT calculations on the model dimers {trans-[MCl(2)(NH(3))(NC(5)H(4)X-3)]}(2) show association through M-Cl...X-C (X not equal F) interactions with geometries similar to experimental values. DFT calculations of the electrostatic potential distributions for the compounds trans-[PdCl(2)(NC(5)H(4)X-3)(2)] (X = F, Cl, Br, I) demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategy to activate C-X groups toward halogen bond formation by enhancing their electrophilicity, and explain the absence of M-Cl...F-C interactions. The M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds described here can be viewed unambiguously as nucleophile-electrophile interactions that involve an attractive electrostatic contribution. This contrasts with some types of halogen-halogen interactions previously described and suggests that M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds could provide a valuable new synthon for supramolecular chemists.     

Syntheses, crystal and solution structures, ligand-exchange, and ligand-coupling reactions of mixed pentaarylantimony compounds

All possible combinations of mixed pentaarylantimony compounds bearing p-methylphenyl and p-trifluoromethylphenyl groups were synthesized; ArnTol5-nSb (n=0-5: Ar=p-CF3C6H4, Tol=p-CH3C6H4): Tol5Sb (1), ArTol4Sb (2), Ar2Tol3Sb (3), Ar3Tol2Sb (4), Ar4TolSb (5), and Ar5Sb (6). Compounds 2-5 are the first well-characterized examples of mixed acyclic pentaarylantimony species. The structures of 2-6 were determined by X-ray crystallography to feature trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) geometry with the more electronegative p-trifluoromethylphenyl substituents selectively occupying the apical positions. Consideration of the chemical shifts of the ipso carbons of the aryl and tolyl groups suggested that the solution structures of 1-6 were also TBP, although their pseudorotation could not be frozen even at -80 degrees C. Ligand-exchange reactions (LERs) took place between 1 and 6 at approximately 60 degrees C in [D6]benzene and all six species 1-6 were found in the equilibrium mixture. The relative stabilities of 1-6 were determined quantitatively by comparison of the observed molar ratios of 1-6 in equilibrium with calculated statistical molar ratios, and Ar2Tol3Sb (3) was found to be the most stable. The ligand-coupling reactions (LCRs) of 2-5 in solution were greatly accelerated by adding Cu(acac)2 or Li+TFPB- (TFPB: [3,5-(CF3)2 C6H3]4 B), whereby the rate becomes comparable to the LER. The use of flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) allowed the LCR to occur with very little ligand-exchange; the exception ArTol4Sb had very fast ligand-exchange. The selectivities of the LCRs were calculated from the yield of the biaryls synthesized by using FVT. These results were highly consistent with reactions catalyzed in solution, in which bitolyl was not obtained at all. The experimental results suggested that the LCR of pentaarylantimony compounds proceeds in the manner of apical-apical coupling.     

Polymeric silver(I) complexes with pyridyl dithioether ligands: experimental and theoretical investigations on the coordination properties of the ligands

The reactions of four flexible tetradentate ligands, 1,3-bis(2-pyridylthio)propane (L1), 1,4-bis(2-pyridylthio)butane (L2), 1,5-bis(2-pyridylthio)pentane (L3) and 1,6-bis(2-pyridylthio)hexane (L4) with AgX (X = BF4-, ClO4-, PF6-, or CF3SO3-) lead to the formation of seven new complexes: [AgL1(BF4)]2 (1), [[AgL2](ClO4)]infinity (2), [[AgL2(CH3CN)](PF6)]infinity (3), [[AgL3](BF4)(CHCl3)]2 (4), [[AgL3(CF3SO3)](CH3OH)(0.5)]infinity (5), [[Ag2L4(2)](BF4)2]infinity (6), and [[AgL4](PF6)]infinity (7), which have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that complexes 1 and 4 possess dinuclear macrometallacyclic structures, and complexes 2, 3 and 5-7 take chain structures. In all the complexes, the nitrogen atoms of ligands preferentially coordinate to silver atoms to form normal coordination bonds, while the sulfur atoms only show weak interactions with silver atoms and the intermolecular AgS weak contacts connect the low-dimensional complexes into high-dimensional supramolecular networks. Additional weak interactions, such as pi-pi stacking, F...F weak interactions, Ag...O contacts or C-H...O hydrogen bonds, also help to stabilize the crystal structures. It was found that the parity of the -(CH2)n- spacers (n = 3-6) affect the orientation of the two terminal pyridyl rings, thereby significantly influence the framework formations of these complexes. The coordination features of ligands and their conformation changes between free and coordination states have been investigated by DFT calculations.