Structure and microstructure of the high pressure synthesised misfit layer compound [Sr2O2][CrO2]1.85

The strontium chromium oxide [Sr₂O₂][CrO₂]_1.85 misfit layer compound has been synthesised at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. Electron diffraction patterns and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images along [001] show the misfit character of the different layers composing the structure with a supercell along the incommensurate parameter b≈7b₁≈13b₂. The modulated crystal structure has been refined within the superspace formalism against single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, employing the (3+1)-dimensional superspace group C′nmb(0σ₂0)0 0 s. The compound has a composite structure with lattice parameters a₁=5.182(1) Å, b₁=5.411(1) Å, c₁=18.194(3) Å for the first, SrO, subsystem and the same a and c, but with b₂=2.925(1) Å for the second, CrO₂, subsystem. The layer stacking is similar to that of orthorhombic PbS(TiS₂)_1.18, but with a much stronger intersubsytem bonding in the case of the oxide. The intersubsystem lattice mismatch is mainly handled by displacement modulations of the Sr atoms, correlated with modulations of the valence, the coordination and the anisotropic displacement parameters.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of the uranyl tellurates AgUO2(HTeO5) and Pb2UO2(TeO6)

Two uranyl tellurates, AgUO₂(HTeO₅) (1) and Pb₂UO₂(TeO₆) (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and were structurally, chemically, and spectroscopically characterized. 1 crystallizes in space group Pbca, a=7.085(2) Å, b=11.986(3) Å, c=13.913(4) Å, V=1181.5(5) Å³, Z=8; 2 is in P2(1)/c, a=5.742(1) Å, b=7.789(2) Å, c=7.928(2) Å, V=90.703(2) Å³, and Z=2. These are the first structures reported for uranyl compounds containing tellurate. The U⁶⁺ cations are present as (UO₂)²⁺ uranyl ions that are coordinated by O atoms to give pentagonal and square bipyramids in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The structural unit in 1 is a sheet consisting of chains of edge-sharing uranyl pentagonal bipyramids that are one bipyramid wide, linked through the dimers of TeO₆ octahedra. In 2, uranyl square bipyramids share each of their equatorial vertices with different TeO₆ octahedra, giving a sheet with the autunite-type topology. Sheets in 1 and 2 are connected through the low-valence cations that are located in the interlayer region. The structures of 1 and 2 are compared to those of uranyl compounds containing octahedrally coordinated cations.     

On the microstructure and symmetry of apparently hexagonal BaAl2O4

The P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ at room temperature has been carefully re-investigated by a combined transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction study. It is shown that the poor fit of this P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) structure model for BaAl₂O₄ to neutron powder diffraction data is primarily due to the failure to take into account coherent scattering between different domains related by enantiomorphic twinning of the P6₃22 parent sub-structure. Fast Fourier transformation of [0 0 1] lattice images from small localized real space regions (∼10 nm in diameter) are used to show that the P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ is not correct on the local scale. The correct local symmetry of the very small nano-domains is most likely orthorhombic or monoclinic.     

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.     

Incommensurate modulated structure of the ferromagnetic shape-memory Ni2MnGa martensite

The ferromagnetic shape memory (MSM) alloy Ni₂MnGa undergoes a martensitic transformation (MT) at T=220 K on cooling. The structure of this phase is studied by powder X-ray diffraction experiment. The analysis of the experimental data combined with the huge information reported in literature allowed to conclude that the Ni₂MnGa martensite shows an incommensurate modulated structure closely related to a five-fold layered superstructure. The symmetry of the basic structure is found to be orthorhombic. The structure is refined by Rietveld method with superspace group Immm(00γ)s00 having a=4.2187(1) Å, b=5.5534(1) Å and c=4.1899(1) Å and modulation vector q=0.4248(3)c*. The results show that the modulation is mainly related to the periodic shuffling of the atomic layers perpendicular to the c-axis of the orthorhombic basic structure.     

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.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two polymorphs of Fe(2,2′-bpy)(HPO4)(H2PO4)

Two polymorphs of an organic-inorganic hybrid compound, Fe(2,2′-bpy)(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄) (1 and 2) (2,2′-bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and magnetic susceptibility. Crystal data are as follows: Polymorph 1, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a=10.904(2) Å, b=6.423(1) Å, c=19.314(3) Å, β=101.161(3)°, and Z=4; Polymorph 2, monoclinic, space group P2₁/c (No. 14), a=11.014(1) Å, b=15.872(2) Å, c=8.444(1) Å, β=109.085(3)°, and Z=4. Polymorph 1 adopts a chain structure in which each iron atom is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from 2,2′-bpy ligand and four phosphate oxygen atoms. These infinite chains are extended into a 3-D supramolecular array via π-π stacking interactions of the lateral 2,2′-bpy ligands. The structure of polymorph 2 consists of the same building units, namely FeO₄N₂ octahedron, HPO₄ and H₂PO₄ tetrahedra, and 2,2′-bpy ligand, which are linked through their vertices forming an undulated sheetlike structure with 4,12 network. Adjacent layers are extended into a 3-D array via π-π stacking interactions of the aromatic groups. Magnetic susceptibility measurement results confirm that the iron atoms in both compounds are present in the +3 oxidation state.     

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.     

A novel three-dimensional inorganic framework: hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of CuMo3O10·H2O

A novel three-dimensional inorganic bimetallic compound Cu[Mo₃O₁₀]·H₂O 1 has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pnma, a=8.6085(17) Å, b=7.5822(15) Å, c=13.690(3) Å, V=893.6(3) Å³, Z=4, λ(MoKα) = 0.71073 Å (R(F)=0.0357 for 1101 reflections). The structure of compound 1 is based on [{Mo₃O₁₀}²⁻]_∞ isopolyoxomolybdate chains bonded together with CuO₄ tetrahedra into a three-dimensional inorganic open framework. Three types of Mo-Cu layers and one-dimensional tunnels are observed in the title compound.     

Crystallographic and magnetic characterisation of the brownmillerite Sr2Co2O5

Sr₂Co₂O₅ with the perovskite-related brownmillerite structure has been synthesised via quenching, with the orthorhombic unit cell parameters a=5.4639(3) Å, b=15.6486(8) Å and c=5.5667(3) Å based on refinement of neutron powder diffraction data collected at 4 K. Electron microscopy revealed L-R-L-R-intralayer ordering of chain orientations, which require a doubling of the unit cell along the c-parameter, consistent with the assignment of the space group Pcmb. However, on the length scale pertinent to NPD, no long-range order is observed and the disordered space group Imma appears more appropriate. The magnetic structure corresponds to G-type order with a moment of 3.00(4) μ_B directed along [1 0 0].     

Jahn-Teller-distorted dimeric anions in (cat)[Mn2F8(H2O)2]·2H2O (cat = pipzH2, dabcoH2) and (dabcoH2)2[Mn2F8(H2PO4)2]

Using biprotonated dabco (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) or pipz (piperazine) as counter cations, mixed-ligand fluoromanganates(III) with dimeric anions could be prepared from hydrofluoric acid solutions. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals: dabcoH₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (1), space group P2₁, Z = 2, a = 6.944(1), b = 14.689(3), c = 7.307(1) Å, β = 93.75(3)°, R₁ = 0.0240; pipzH₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (2), space group , Z = 2, a = 6.977(1), b = 8.760(2), c = 12.584(3) Å, α = 83.79(3), β = 74.25(3), γ = 71.20(3)°, R₁ = 0.0451; (dabcoH₂)₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂PO₄)₂] (3), space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 9.3447(4), b = 12.5208(4), c = 9.7591(6) Å, β = 94.392(8)°, R₁ = 0.0280. All three compounds show dimeric anions formed by [MnF₅O] octahedra (O from oxo ligands) sharing a common edge, with strongly asymmetric double fluorine bridges. In contrast to analogous dimeric anions of Al or Fe(III), the oxo ligands (H₂O (1,2) or phosphate (3)) are in equatorial trans-positions within the bridging plane. The strong pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect of octahedral Mn(III) complexes is documented in a huge elongation of an octahedral axis, namely that including the long bridging Mn-F bond and the Mn-O bond. In spite of different charge of the anion in the fluoride phosphate, the octahedral geometry is almost the same as in the aqua-fluoro compounds. The strong distortion is reflected also in the ligand field spectra.     

Syntheses, structure and magnetic properties of pillared layered diphosphonates: M2(O3PC6H4PO3)(H2O)2 (M=Co, Ni)

This paper describes the hydrothermal syntheses of two isostructural metal bisphosphonates: M₂(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃)(H₂O)₂ [M=Co^II (1), Ni^II (2)]. Single-crystal structure determination of compound 1 revealed a pillared layered structure in which the phenyl groups connect the inorganic layers of cobalt phosphonate. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Pnnm, a=19.306(5), b=4.8293(12), c=5.6390(14) Å, V=525.7(2) Å³, Z=2. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated in both cases.     

Synthesis and characterization of mixed metal organic-inorganic hybrid compounds with a pillared layer structure: CuVO2(4,4′-bpy)(XO4) (X=P, As)

Two mixed metal organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, CuVO₂(4,4′-bpy)(PO₄), 1, and CuVO₂(4,4′-bpy)(AsO₄), 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 monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a=21.941(2) Å, b=8.0915(7) Å, c=15.856(1) Å, β=110.424(2)°, Z=8, and R₁=0.037 for 1, and a=21.923(2) Å, b=8.2447(9) Å, c=16.176(2) Å, β=110.967(2)°, Z=8, and R₁=0.041 for 2. The structure consists of bimetallic oxide layers covalently linked through 4,4′-bpy pillars into a 3D framework. Each oxide layer is constructed from corner-sharing VO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra and CuN₂O₃ square pyramids. On the basis of magnetic susceptibility study of 1, bond-valence calculation and the presence of dioxovanadium unit, the Cu atom is divalent and the V atom is pentavalent.     

Metal phosphonates containing pyridyl N-oxide groups: Syntheses of Cd{(2-C5H4NO)CH(OH)PO3}(H2O)2 and Zn{(4-C5H4NO)CH(OH)PO3} with chain and layer structures

This paper reports the syntheses and characterization of two phosphonate compounds Cd{(2-C₅H₄NO)CH(OH)PO₃}(H₂O)₂ (1) and Zn{(4-C₅H₄NO)CH(OH)PO₃} (2) based on hydroxy(2-pyridyl N-oxide)methylphosphonic and hydroxy(4-pyridyl N-oxide)methylphosphonic acids. Compound 1 has a chain structure in which dimers of edge-shared {CdO₆} octahedra are linked by {CPO₃} tetrahedra through corner-sharing. The pyridyl rings reside on the two sides of the inorganic chain. Compound 2 has a layer structure where the inorganic chains made up of corner-sharing {ZnO₄} and {CPO₃} tetrahedra are covalently connected by pyridyl N-oxide groups. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, space group , a=6.834(1) Å, b=7.539(1) Å, c=10.595(2) Å, α=84.628(3)°, β=74.975(4)°, γ=69.953(4)°. For 2: triclinic, space group , a=5.219(1) Å, b=8.808(2) Å, c=9.270(2) Å, α=105.618(5)°, β=95.179(4)°, γ=94.699(4)°.     

A single-helix coordination polymer with mixed ligands [Zn2(phen)2(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)2(H2O)2]n (phen=1,10-phenanthroline; chdc=cyclohexanedicarboxylate)

A coordination polymer with mixed ligands [Zn₂(phen)₂(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (chdc=cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; phen=1,10-phenanthroline) was prepared under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, TG analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray crystal structural analyses reveal that 1 and 2 are isomorphic and belong to the monoclinic system. C₄₀H₃₆Zn₂N₄O₁₀, P2₁/c, a=10.084(2) Å, b=8.9072(18) Å, c=20.276(4) Å, β=99.92(3)°, V=1793.9(6) Å³, Z=1. In the structures of 1, the 1,4-chdc ligand possesses only one kind of e,a-cis-conformation although there are both cis- and trans-conformations in the raw material. Two oxygen atoms of one carboxyl in 1,4-chdc ligand and another oxygen atom of contraposition carboxyl link adjacent Zn atoms into an infinite 1D zigzag chain. The most attractive structural feature of 1 is that it exhibits an infinite chiral chain-like structure with 2₁ helices along the b-axis. In addition, the right- and left-handed chains are alternate. Meanwhile, the adjacent chains of 1 is linked via hydrogen bonds into 2D network structures, which further form 3D frameworks via π-π interactions of 1,10-phen.     

Synthesis and structure of [C6N4H20]0.5[B5O6(OH)4]: A new organically templated pentaborate with white-light-emission

A new organically templated pentaborate [C₆N₄H₂₀]_0.5[B₅O₆(OH)₄] (1a) was prepared by reactions of triethylenetetramine (TETA) with excess boric acid in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, TG-DTA, powder X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The structure of 1a was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/c, a=9200(3) Å, b=14.121(5) Å, c=10.330(4) Å, β=91.512(4)°, V=1341.4(9) Å³, and Z=4. The luminescent properties of the compound were studied, and a green-blue luminescence occurs with an emission maximum at 507 nm upon excitation at 430 nm. The photoluminescence of 1a can be modified from green-blue to white by means of a simple heat-treatment process. The white-light-emission of sample 1c makes the pentaborate a good candidate for display and lighting applications in the white LED.     

K2Mo4O13 phases prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

Hydrothermal synthesis in the K-Mo oxide system was investigated as a function of the pH of the reaction medium. Four compounds were formed, including two K₂Mo₄O₁₃ phases. One is a new low-temperature polymorph, which crystallizes in the orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with Z=8 and unit cell dimensions a=7.544(1) Å, b=15.394(2) Å, c=18.568(3) Å. The other is the known triclinic K₂Mo₄O₁₃, whose structure was re-determined from single crystal data; its cell parameters were determined as a=7.976(2) Å, b=8.345(2) Å, c=10.017(2) Å, α=107.104(3)°, β=102.885(3)°, γ=109.760(3)°, which are the standard settings of the crystal lattice. The orthorhombic phase converts endothermically into triclinic phase at ca. 730 K with a heat of transition of 8.31 kJ/mol.     

A new triclinic modification of the pyrochlore-type KOs2O6 superconductor

A new modification of KOs₂O₆, the representative of a new structural type (Pearson symbol aP18, a=5.5668(1) Å, b=6.4519(2) Å, c=7.2356(2) Å, α=65.377(3)°, β=70.572(3)°, γ=75.613(2)° space group P−1, no. 2 was synthesized employing high pressure technique. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure can be described as two OsO₆ octahedral chains relating to each other through inversion and forming big voids with K atoms inside. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on the novel compound and structurally related cubic compound. High-pressure X-ray study showed that cubic KOs₂O₆ phase was stable up to 32.5(2) GPa at room temperature.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a novel Os(II)-supported tungstoarsenate [HAsW7O28Os(dmso)3]

Reaction of tri-lacunary Keggin tungstoarsenate with osmium complex Os(dmso)₄Cl₂ under mild condition led to the formation of a novel Os (II)-supported tungstoarsenate Na₅(NH₄)[HAsW₇O₂₈Os(dmso)₃]·15H₂O (1a). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that compound 1a crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) with a=14.9166(12) Å, b=23.6935(19) Å, c=16.5349(14) Å, β=92.7950(10)°, V=5836.9(8) Å³, Z=4 with R₁=0.0453. The crystal structure reveals two features: (1) the polyanion [HAsW₇O₂₈Os(dmso)₃]⁶⁻ (1) consists of a Os(dmso)₃ unit linked to a tungstoarsenate fragment {HAsW₇O₂₈} via two Os-O-W bonds and one Os-O-As bond resulting in an assembly with C_s symmetry, which represents a novel mode of Os-coordination to a polyoxoanion framework; (2) 3D architecture assembled by the polyanion 1 and sodium linkers. In addition, the compound 1a was well characterized by the multinuclear NMR (¹³C, ¹H), IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and cyclic voltammetry (CV).     

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.