Two new barium borate bromides: Ba2BO3Br and Ba3BO3Br3

Two new barium borate bromide crystals, Ba₂BO₃Br and Ba₃BO₃Br₃, have been obtained by spontaneous crystallization. Ba₂BO₃Br crystallizes in P−3m1 space group, with cell parameters of a = 5.5157(10) Å, c = 11.019(4) Å, and Z = 2, its structure is build up by alternately stacking along c-axis of [Ba₂(BO₃)₂]²⁻ layers and bromide [Ba₂Br₂]²⁺ layers. The solved structure is analog to Ba₂(BO₃)_1−x(CO₃)_xCl_1+x except the interstitial halogen atoms at (0, 0, 1/2) is missing and accordingly the partly CO₃ substitution for BO₃ has not been observed. Ba₃BO₃Br₃ crystallizes in a new structure type with P−1 space group and cell parameters of a = 9.280(4) Å, b = 9.349(7) Å, c = 13.025(9) Å, α = 92.71(3)°, β = 98.29(3)°, γ = 116.200(18)° and Z = 4. The basic structural unit in Ba₃BO₃Br₃ is the clusters composed of 4 BO₃ groups and 12 Ba atoms, which in turn are linked by eight Ba–O bonds with other four clusters to form sheets extend in the (001) plane.     

Zwei Fluoridborate des Gadoliniums: Gd2F3[BO3] und Gd3F3[BO3]2

Two Fluoride Borates of Gadolinium: Gd₂F₃[BO₃] and Gd₃F₃[BO₃]₂ By flux‐supported solid‐state reaction of Gd₂O₃ and GdF₃ with B₂O₃ (flux: CsCl, molar ratio: 1 : 1 : 1 : 6, sealed tantalum capsule, 700 °C, 7 d) the new gadolinium fluoride borate Gd₂F₃[BO₃] (monoclinic, P2₁/c; a = 1637.2(1), b = 624.78(4), c = 838.04(6) pm, β = 93.341(8)°; V_m = 64.418(6) cm³/mol, Z = 8) was obtained as colourless, prismatic, face‐rich single crystals. The four crystallographically different Gd³⁺ cations (CN = 9) are all capped square‐antiprismatically surrounded by fluoride and oxide anions, in which the latter represent always components of isolated trigonal planar [BO₃]^3— anions. The six crystallographically independent F^— anions all reside in more or less planar coordination of three Gd³⁺ cations. Thus the constitution of Gd₂F₃[BO₃] can be described as a sequence of alternating layers each of the composition Gd[BO₃] and GdF₃ parallel (100), respectively. The crystal structures of Gd₂F₃[BO₃] and the shortly published Gd₃F₃[BO₃]₂ (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 1253.4(1), b = 623.7(1), c = 836.0(1) pm, β = 97.404(6)°; V_m = 97.571(9) cm³/mol, Z = 4) are compared with each other. Due to the structural analogies between these two gadolinium fluoride borates, a disorder model of the boron atoms frequently found for Gd₂F₃[BO₃] is able to be transferred to Gd₃F₃[BO₃]₂ as well.     

KBa7Mg2B14O28F5, a new borate with an unusual heptaborate group and double perovskite unit

A new borate, potassium barium magnesium borate fluoride, KBa₇Mg₂B₁₄O₂₈F₅, with a nominal 7:1 composition of BaB₂O₄ to KMg₂F₅, has been found during the growth of BaMgBO₃F crystals with a KF flux. It crystallized in the space group C2/c and is composed of isolated heptaborate [B₇O₁₄]⁷⁻ groups and double perovskite [Mg₂O₆F₅]¹³⁻ units.     

High-temperature synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure determination and solid-state NMR investigations of Ba7[SiO4][BO3]3CN and Sr7[SiO4][BO3]3CN

The novel alkaline earth silicate borate cyanides Ba₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN and Sr₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN have been obtained by the reaction of the respective alkaline earth metals M=Sr, Ba, the carbonates M^IICO₃, BN, and SiO₂ using a radiofrequency furnace at a maximum reaction temperature of 1350°C and 1450°C, respectively. The crystal structures of the isotypic compounds M^II₇[SiO₄][BO₃]₃CN have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (P6₃mc (no. 186), Z=2, a=1129.9(1) pm, c=733.4(2) pm, R₁=0.0336, wR₂=0.0743 for M^II=Ba and a=1081.3(1) pm, c=695.2(1) pm, R₁=0.0457, wR₂=0.0838 for M^II=Sr). Both ionic compounds represent a new structure type, and they are the first examples of silicate borate cyanides. The cyanide ions are disordered and they are surrounded by Ba²⁺/Sr²⁺ octahedra, respectively. These octahedra share common faces building chains along [001]. The [BO₃]³⁻ ions are arranged around these chains. The [SiO₄]⁴⁻ units are surrounded by Ba²⁺/Sr²⁺ tetrahedra, respectively. The title compounds additionally have been investigated by ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, and ¹H MAS-NMR as well as IR and Raman spectroscopy confirming the presence of [SiO₄]⁴⁻, [BO₃]³⁻, and CN⁻ ions.     

High-pressure synthesis, crystal structure, and structural relationship of the first ytterbium fluoride borate Yb5(BO3)2F9

Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ was synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 7.5 GPa and 1100 °C, representing the first known ytterbium fluoride borate. The compound exhibits isolated BO₃-groups next to ytterbium cations and fluoride anions, showing a structure closely related to the other known rare-earth fluoride borates RE₃(BO₃)₂F₃ (RE=Sm, Eu, Gd) and Gd₂(BO₃)F₃. Monoclinic Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ crystallizes in space group C2/c with the lattice parameters a=2028.2(4) pm, b=602.5(2) pm, c=820.4(2) pm, and β=100.63(3)° (Z=4). Three different ytterbium cations can be identified in the crystal structure, each coordinated by nine fluoride and oxygen anions. None of the five crystallographically independent fluoride ions is coordinated by boron atoms, solely by trigonally-planar arranged ytterbium cations. In close proximity to the above mentioned compounds RE₃(BO₃)₂F₃ (RE=Sm, Eu, Gd) and Gd₂(BO₃)F₃, Yb₅(BO₃)₂F₉ can be described via alternating layers with the formal compositions “YbBO₃” and “YbF₃” in the bc-plane.     

Competitive Coordination of Chloride and Fluoride Anions Towards Trivalent Lanthanide Cations (La3+ and Nd3+) in Molten Salts

Molten salt electrolysis is a vital technique to produce high-purity lanthanide metals and alloys. However, the coordination environments of lanthanides in molten salts, which heavily affect the related redox potential and electrochemical properties, have not been well elucidated. Here, the competitive coordination of chloride and fluoride anions towards lanthanide cations (La³⁺ and Nd³⁺) is explored in molten LiCl-KCl-LiF-LnCl₃ salts using electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational approaches. Electrochemical analyses show that significant negative shifts in the reduction potential of Ln³⁺ occur when F⁻ concentration increases, indicating that the F⁻ anions interact with Ln³⁺ via substituting the coordinated Cl⁻ anions, and confirm [LnCl_xF_y]^3−x−y (y_max=3) complexes are prevailing in molten salts. Spectroscopic and computational results on solution structures further reveal the competition between Cl⁻ and F⁻ anions, which leads to the formation of four distinct Ln(III) species: [LnCl₆]³⁻, [LnCl₅F]³⁻, [LnCl₄F₂]³⁻ and [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻. Among them, the seven-coordinated [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻ complex possesses a low-symmetry structure evidenced by the pattern change of Raman spectra. After comparing the polarizing power (Z/r) among different metal cations, it was concluded that Ln−F interaction is weaker than that between transition metal and F⁻ ions.     

ABi2(IO3)2F5 (A=K,Rb, and Cs): A Combination of Halide and Oxide Anionic Units To Create a Large Second‐Harmonic Generation Response with a Wide Bandgap

A family of nonlinear optical materials that contain the halide, oxide, and oxyhalide polar units simultaneously in a single structure, namely ABi₂(IO₃)₂F₅ (A=K ( 1 ), Rb ( 2 ), and Cs ( 3 )), have been designed and synthesized. They crystallize in the same polar space group (P 2₁) with a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiF₅]²⁻ and [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ units connected to each other by four F atoms, in which two [IO₃]⁻ groups are linked to [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ unit on the same side. A hanging Bi−F bond of [BiF₅]²⁻ unit is located on the other side via ionic interaction with the layer‐inserted alkali metal ions to form three‐dimensional structure. The well‐ordered alignments of these polar units lead to a very strong second‐harmonic generation response of 12 ( 1 ), 9.5 ( 2 ), and 7.5 ( 3 ) times larger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate under 1064 nm laser radiation. All of them exhibited a wide energy bandgap over 3.75 eV, suggesting that they will have a high laser damage threshold.     

ABi2(IO3)2F5 (A=K,Rb, and Cs): A Combination of Halide and Oxide Anionic Units To Create a Large Second‐Harmonic Generation Response with a Wide Bandgap

A family of nonlinear optical materials that contain the halide, oxide, and oxyhalide polar units simultaneously in a single structure, namely ABi₂(IO₃)₂F₅ (A=K ( 1 ), Rb ( 2 ), and Cs ( 3 )), have been designed and synthesized. They crystallize in the same polar space group (P 2₁) with a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiF₅]²⁻ and [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ units connected to each other by four F atoms, in which two [IO₃]⁻ groups are linked to [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ unit on the same side. A hanging Bi−F bond of [BiF₅]²⁻ unit is located on the other side via ionic interaction with the layer‐inserted alkali metal ions to form three‐dimensional structure. The well‐ordered alignments of these polar units lead to a very strong second‐harmonic generation response of 12 ( 1 ), 9.5 ( 2 ), and 7.5 ( 3 ) times larger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate under 1064 nm laser radiation. All of them exhibited a wide energy bandgap over 3.75 eV, suggesting that they will have a high laser damage threshold.     

Pb2BO3Cl: A Tailor‐Made Polar Lead Borate Chloride with Very Strong Second Harmonic Generation

A meticulously designed, polar, non‐centrosymmetric lead borate chloride, Pb₂BO₃Cl, was synthesized using KBe₂BO₃F₂ (KBBF) as a model. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that the structure of Pb₂BO₃Cl consists of cationic [Pb₂(BO₃)]⁺ honeycomb layers and Cl^? anions. Powder second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on graded polycrystalline Pb₂BO₃Cl indicated that the title compound is phase‐matchable (type I) and exhibits a remarkably strong SHG response, which is approximately nine times stronger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and the largest efficiency observed in materials with structures similar to KBBF. Further characterization suggested that the compound melts congruently at high temperature and has a wide transparency window from the near‐UV to the mid‐IR region.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two new hydrated borates, Zn8[(BO3)3O2(OH)3] and Pb[B5O8(OH)]·1.5H2O

Two new hydrated borates, Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O, have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions at 170 °C. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses showed that Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] crystallizes in a non-centrosymmetric space group R32 with a=8.006(2) Å, c=17.751(2) Å, Z=3 and Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=6.656(2) Å, b=6.714(2) Å, c=10.701(2) Å, α=99.07(2)°, β=93.67(2)°, γ=118.87(1)°, Z=2. Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃] represents a new structure type in which Zn-centered tetrahedra are connected via common vertices leading to helical ribbons _∞¹[Zn₈O₁₅(OH)₃]¹⁷⁻ that pack side by side and are further condensed through sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional _∞³[Zn₈O₁₁(OH)₃]⁹⁻ framework. The boron atoms are incorporated into the channels in the framework to complete the final structure. Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O is a layered compound containing double ring [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ building units that share exocyclic oxygen atoms to form a two-dimensional layer. Symmetry-center-related layers are stacked along the c-axis and held together by interlayer Pb²⁺ ions and water molecules via electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The IR spectra further confirmed the existence of both triangular BO₃ and OH groups in Zn₈[(BO₃)₃O₂(OH)₃], and BO₃, BO₄, OH groups as well as guest water molecules in Pb[B₅O₈(OH)]·1.5H₂O.     

Preparation, crystal structure and thermal expansion of a new bismuth barium borate, BaBi2B4O10

Single crystals of a new compound, BaBi₂B₄O₁₀ were grown by cooling a melt with the stoichiometric composition. The crystal structure of the compound has been solved by direct methods and refined to R₁=0.049 (wR=0.113) on the basis of 1813 unique observed reflections (|F_o|>4σ|F_o|). It is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=10.150(2), b=6. 362(1), c=12.485(2) Å, β=102.87(1)^o, V=786.0(2) Å³, Z=4. The structure is based upon anionic thick layers that are parallel to (001). The layers can be described as built from alternating novel borate [B₄O₁₀]⁸⁻_∞ chains and bismuthate [Bi₂O₅]⁴⁻_∞ chains extended along b-axis. The borate chains are composed of [B₃O₈]⁷⁻ triborate groups of three tetrahedra and single triangles with a [BO₂]⁻ radical. The borate chains are interleaved along the c-axis with rows of the Ba²⁺ cations so that the Ba atoms are located within the layers. The layers are connected by two nonequivalent Ba-O bonds as well as by two equivalent Bi-O bonds with bond valences in the range of 0.2-0.3 v.u.Thermal expansion of BaBi₂B₄O₁₀ studied by high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction in the temperature range of 20-700 °C (temperature step 30-35 °C) is highly anisotropic. While the b and c unit-cell parameters increase almost linearly on heating, temperature dependencies of a parameter and β monoclinic angle show nonlinear behavior. As a result, on heating orientation of thermal expansion tensor changes, and bulk thermal expansion increases from 20×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ at the first heating stage up to 57×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ at 700 °C that can be attributed to the increase of thermal mobility of heavy Bi³⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations.     

Proton‐stabilized three‐dimensional anionic framework in H[Zn6O2(BO3)3]

A three‐dimensional anionic framework built up from [ZnO₄] tetra­hedra and planar [BO₃] groups, stabilized by H atoms, has been found for hydrogen zinc oxide borate, H[Zn₆O₂(BO₃)₃]. Boron and one of the borate O atoms are on 18e (2) positions. Triple units of [ZnO₄] tetra­hedra sharing a common oxygen vertex on a 12c (3) site and strong asymmetrical linear hydrogen bonds with the H atom [on a 12c (3) position] disordered over a twofold axis are specific structural features of this zincoborate. There is evidence that the reported Zn₄O(BO₃)₂ [Harrison, Gier & Stuky (1993). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 32 , 724–726] corresponds to this structure.     

Gd4B4O11F2: Synthesis and crystal structure of a rare-earth fluoride borate exhibiting a new “fundamental building block” in borate chemistry

A new gadolinium fluoride borate Gd₄B₄O₁₁F₂ was yielded in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 7.5 GPa and 1100 °C. Gd₄B₄O₁₁F₂ crystallizes monoclinically in the space group C2/c with the lattice parameters a=1361.3(3) pm, b=464.2(2) pm, c=1374.1(3) pm, and β=91.32(3)° (Z=4). The crystal structure exhibits a structural motif not yet reported from borate chemistry: two BO₄-tetrahedra (□) and two BO₃-groups (?) are connected via common corners, leading to the fundamental building block 2?2□:?□□?. In the two crystallographically identical BO₄-tetrahedra, a distortion resulting in a very long B-O-bond is found.     

KNiB4O6F3: A Layered Fluorooxoborate with Charge-Oriented Ordering

A layered fluorooxoborate, KNiB₄O₆F₃, contains a new (B₄O₆F₄)⁴⁻ group built of one planar (BO₃)³⁻ triangle and three tetrahedral (BO₃F)⁴⁻ units. Those units are joined together by sharing the oxygen atoms to form a 2-dimensinal (BO_3/2F)₃BO_3/2)_∞ layer. K⁺ and Ni²⁺ occupy on the sides with F⁻ and O²⁻ of the (BO_3/2F)₃BO_3/2)_∞ layer with a high (positive charge) to high (negative charge) and low to low coordination. Such kind of charge-oriented ordering is found to be governed by the stabilization energy of Coulomb interaction of the cations in certain sites. It is hoped that this mechanism of ordering may provide an additional tool for designing new structures with favourable properties, such as ferroelectrics or nonlinear optical materials.     

白光LED用铕掺杂硼铋钙玻璃的结构与光学性能

采用熔融冷却法制备了铕掺杂的硼铋钙玻璃。研究了不同硼铋比(n_B/n_(Bi))和钙离子浓度条件下的密度、摩尔体积、折射率等物理性质,分析了玻璃的结构、光学性质和热稳定性。实验结果表明,Eu~(3+)较好的熔融于玻璃中,形成发光中心,在465 nm蓝光激发下,613 nm处有较为强烈的发射,光谱强度值随nB/nBi变化不明显,但随Ca O浓度升高而逐渐递减。玻璃结构总体呈现非晶态,对称性相对较低,结构致密程度和对称性均随nB/nBi的降低而降低,随CaO浓度的升高而升高。玻璃结构主要组成为[BO_3]三角体、[BiO_3]三角体,[BO4]四面体和[BiO_6]八面体,不存在[BO_3]组成的硼六元环。研究结果表明,此系列硼铋钙玻璃能有效匹配蓝光芯片发射红光,且具有熔点低、热稳定较好、折射率相对适宜的特点。     

The crystal structure of Ba5In3F19: a new structural type in fluoride crystal chemistry

Ba₅In₃F₁₉ is tetragonal : a = 14.983(1) A, c = 15.540(1) A, Z = 8. The crystal structure was solved in the space group P4₃ (n °78), from X-ray single-crystal data using 8958 unique reflections (8926 with F_o/σ(F_o) > 4). Space group P4₁ (n °76) can also be considered, because 50 % racemic twinning was evidenced in the single-crystal. The crystal structure is built up from an arrangement of three subnetworks. The first one is constituted by isolated [InF₆]octahedra and isolated [InF₇]monocapped trigonal prisms, which form, along the c axis of the cell, two kinds of channels. The first type of channel, formed by eight of these polyhedra, contains infinite chains of vertex-sharing [In₂F₁₂]units, constituted by the association through one edge of two pentagonal bipyramids. The second type of channel, formed by four polyhedra, contains infinite twisted chains of vertex-sharing [FBa₄]tetrahedra. The barium ions, which ensure the electroneutrality and the cohesion of the structure, are 10 and 11-coordinated to fluoride anions.     

A new rubidium beryllium borate,RbBe4(BO3)3

Single crystals of a new rubdidium beryllium borate, RbBe₄(BO₃)₃, have been obtained by spontaneous nucleation from a high‐temperature melt. This new ortho­rhom­bic (Pnma) structure type contains [Be₂BO₄]⁻ rings, made of two BeO₄ tetra­hedra and one BO₃ triangle, which constitute the basic structural units. The m plane runs through the B and one of the O atoms and intersects the ring. These rings form chains in the a direction, which are connected in the b and c directions to form zeolite‐type cages in which the Rb⁺ cations are located, at sites of m symmetry.     

CdZn2KB2O6F,a new fluoride borate crystal

During an attempt to grow crystals of the nonlinear optical material Cd₃Zn₃B₄O₁₂ using a KBF₄ flux, crystals of a new cadmium dizinc potassium borate fluoride compound, CdZn₂KB₂O₆F, were unexpectedly isolated. The structure consists of layers constructed of distorted corner‐sharing ZnO₃F tetrahedra and BO₃ triangles. Both Zn and B reside on threefold rotation axes, while the F⁻ anion is located at a site of 3.2 symmetry. The Cd^II (site symmetry ) and K⁺ (site symmetry 3.2) ions occupy six‐ and nine‐coordinate interlayer sites, respectively. The BO₃ triangles and ZnO₃ pyramids from the ZnO₃F tetrahedra share bridging O atoms with each other to form an extended [ZnBO₃] layer parallel to (001). Although these layers are similar to the [MBO₃] layers seen in other compounds, they are uniquely bridged here by the Cd centres and F⁻ anions to form a three‐dimensional framework. In so doing, a series of channels is formed along the [010] direction and the K⁺ cations are found in these channels.     

(NH4)Bi2(IO3)2F5: An Unusual Ammonium-Containing Metal Iodate Fluoride Showing Strong Second Harmonic Generation Response and Thermochromic Behavior

An ammonium-containing metal iodate fluoride compound, (NH₄)Bi₂(IO₃)₂F₅, featuring a two-dimensional double-layered framework constructed by [BiO₂F₅]⁶⁻ and [BiO₄F₄]⁹⁻ polyhedra, as well as [IO₃]⁻ groups, was successfully synthesized. The well-ordered alignment of these SHG-active units leads to an extraordinary strong SHG response of 9.2 times that of KDP. Moreover, this compound possesses a large birefringence (Δn=0.0690 at 589.3 nm), a wide energy band gap (E_g=3.88 eV), and a high laser damage threshold (LDT; 40.2×AgGaS₂). In particular, thermochromic behavior was observed for the first time in this type of compound. Such multifunctional crystals will expand the application of nonlinear optical materials.     

A new structure type of RE4B4O11F2: High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure of La4B4O11F2

The first lanthanum fluoride borate La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ was obtained in a Walker-type multianvil apparatus at 6 GPa and 1300 °C. La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with the lattice parameters a=778.1(2) pm, b=3573.3(7) pm, c=765.7(2) pm, β=113.92(3)° (Z=8), and represents a new structure type in the class of compounds with the composition RE₄B₄O₁₁F₂. The crystal structure contains BO₄-tetrahedra interconnected with two BO₃-groups via common vertices, B₂O₅-pyroborate units, and isolated BO₃-groups. The structure shows a wave-like modulation along the b-axis. The crystal structure and properties of La₄B₄O₁₁F₂ are discussed and compared to Gd₄B₄O₁₁F₂.