[H3tren] templated iron fluorides; synthesis, crystal structures and Mössbauer studies

The hydrothermal synthesis, using tris-(2-ethylamino)amine (tren) as a template, and the crystal structures of three new hybrid iron fluorides, (H₃O)₂·[H₃tren]₂·(FeF₆)₂·(FeF₅(H₂O))·2H₂O (I), [H₃tren]₂·(FeF₆)₂·(FeF₂(H₂O)₄)·8H₂O (II) and [H₃tren]₂·(FeF₆)·(F)₃·H₂O (III), are reported. I, II, and III are triclinic (P-1), monoclinic (P2₁/c) and orthorhombic (I222), respectively. The structure of I is built up from isolated FeF₆ and FeF₅(H₂O) distorted octahedra separated by triprotonated [H₃tren]³⁺ cations, disordered H₃O⁺ cations and H₂O molecules. In II, Fe^IIIF₆ and neutral [Fe^IIF₂(H₂O)₄] octahedra form, together with [H₃tren]³⁺ cations, infinite (100) layers separated by extra water molecules. The structure of III consists of isolated and disordered FeF₆ octahedra, fluoride anions F⁻ connected to [H₃tren]³⁺ cations and extra fluoride anions F⁻ disordered with H₂O molecules. All [H₃tren]³⁺ cations have a “spider” type conformation. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer characterization shows that +III valence state can only be considered for iron cations in I and III and preliminary Mössbauer results are consistent with the presence of both +II and +III valences for iron cations in II, in agreement with the crystallographic results.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic property of a new 3D iron phosphite: |C4N3H14|[Fe3(HPO3)4F2(H2O)2] with intersecting channels

A new open-framework iron (III) phosphite |C₄N₃H₁₄|[Fe₃(HPO₃)₄F₂(H₂O)₂] has been solvothermally synthesized by using diethylenetriamine (DETA) as the structure-directing agent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c having unit cell parameters a=12.877(3) Å, b=12.170(2) Å, c=12.159(2) Å, β=93.99(3)°, V=1900.9(7) Å³, and Z=4 with R₁=0.0447, wR₂=0.0958. The complex structure consists of HPO₃ pseudo-tetrahedra and {Fe₃O₁₄F₂} trimer building units. The assembly of these building units generates 3D inorganic framework with intersecting 6-, 8-, and 10-ring channels. The DETA cations are located in the 10-ring channels linked by hydrogen bonds. The Mössbauer spectrum shows that there exhibit two crystallographically independent iron (III) atoms. And the magnetic investigation shows the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Further characterization of the title compound was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectra, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and elemental analyses.     

Dimorphism in iron(II) methylphosphonate: Low-temperature crystal structure and temperature-dependent Mössbauer studies of a new form of the layered weak ferromagnet Fe[(CH3PO3)(H2O)]

A second form of the literature-known layered weak ferromagnet Fe[(CH₃PO₃)(H₂O)] has been isolated. The crystal structure determination of this new form (2) has been carried out at T=300, 200 and 130 K. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmn2₁: a=5.7177(11), b=8.8093(18), , while form (1) crystallizes in the space group Pna2₁: a=17.58(2), b=4.814(1), . Mössbauer spectroscopy on form (2) has been performed in the temperature range 4-300 K; and, at , a drastic change in the quadrupole splitting (ΔE) and a broadening of the doublet components is noticed. But surprisingly, on cooling the crystal, no structural change is observed, which could account for the increase in ΔE. Below , ⁵⁷Fe spectra transform into hyperfine splitting patterns which reveal a magnetically ordered state in agreement with the results of earlier magnetic susceptibility studies.     

[C6H21N4][Sb9S14O]: Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of the first non-centrosymmetric open Sb-S-O framework containing the new [SbS2O] building unit

[C₆H₂₁N₄][Sb₉S₁₄O] represents the first known oxo-thioantimonate with an organic ion acting as structure director. The compound crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group Cmc2₁ with a=29.679(2), b=9.9798(6), , , Z=4. The structure contains the hitherto unknown [SbS₂O] unit as a structural motif. The [SbS₃] trigonal pyramids and [SbS₂O] units are joined to form a 10-membered ring with large pores having a diameter of 7.7 Å×8.3 Å. The organic template molecule acts like a tetra-dentate ligand around the O atom of the [SbS₂O] group. Depending on the value chosen for the Sb-S bond lengths, the material contains a 1-, 2- or 3-dimensional anion. The optical band gap of 2.03 eV demonstrates that the material is an optical semi-conductor. Upon heating, the compound decomposes in two steps yielding finally a mixture of Sb and Sb₂S₃. The ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer spectrum shows a relative large line width in accordance with the superposition of the five signals.     

Electronic state of Fe used as Mössbauer probe in the perovskites LaMO3 (M=Ni and Cu)

For the first time a comparative study of rhombohedral LaNiO₃ and LaCuO₃ oxides, using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer probe spectroscopy (1% atomic rate), has been carried out. In spite of the fact that both oxides are characterized by similar crystal structure and metallic properties, the behavior of ⁵⁷Fe probe atoms in such lattices appears essentially different. In the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the observed isomer shift (δ) value corresponds to Fe³⁺ (3d⁵) cations in high-spin state located in an oxygen octahedral surrounding. In contrast, for the LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the obtained δ value is comparable to that characterizing the formally tetravalent high-spin Fe⁴⁺(3d⁴) cations in octahedral coordination within Fe(IV) perovskite-like ferrates. To explain such a difference, an approach based on the qualitative energy diagrams analysis and the calculations within the cluster configuration interaction method have been developed. It was shown that in the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, electronic state of nickel is dominated by the d⁷ configuration corresponding to the formal ionic “Ni³⁺-O²⁻” state. On the other hand, in the case of LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃ a large amount of charge is transferred via Cu-O bonds from the O:2p bands to the Cu:3d orbitals and the ground state is dominated by the d⁹L configuration (“Cu²⁺−O” state). The dominant d⁹L ground state for the (CuO₆) sublattice induces in the environment of the ⁵⁷Fe probe cations a charge transfer Fe³⁺+O⁻(L)→Fe⁴⁺+O²⁻, which transforms “Fe³⁺” into “Fe⁴⁺” state. The analysis of the isomer shift value for the formally “Fe⁴⁺” ions in perovskite-like oxides clearly proved a drastic influence of the 4s iron orbitals population on the Fe−O bonds character.     

The synthesis and crystal structure of vanadium complexes: [VO2(phen)2]·6H2O and [2,2′-(bipy)2VO2](H2BO3)·3H2O

The organic-inorganic hybrid materials vanadium oxide [V^IVO₂(phen)₂]·6H₂O (1) and [(2,2′-bipy)₂V^VO₂](H₂BO₃)·3H₂O (2) have been conventional and hydrothermal synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, respectively. Although the method and the ligand had been used in the syntheses of the compounds (1) and (2) are different, they almost possess similar structure. They all exhibit the distorted octahedral [VO₂N₄] unit with organonitrogen donors of the phen and 2,2′-bipy ligands, respectively, which coordinated directly to the vanadium oxide framework. And they are both non-mixed-valence complexes. But the compound (1) is isolated, and the compound (2) consists of a cation of [(2,2′-bipy)₂V^VO₂]⁺ and an anion of (H₂BO₃)⁻. So the valence of vanadium of (1) and (2) are tetravalence and pentavalence, respectively. Meanwhile it is noteworthy that π-π stacking interaction between adjacent phen and 2,2′-bipy groups in compounds 1 and 2 also play a significant role in stabilization of the structure. Thus, the structure of [V^IVO₂(phen)₂]·6H₂O and [(2,2′-bipy)₂V^VO₂](H₂BO₃)·3H₂O are both further extended into interesting three-dimensional supramolecular. Crystal data: (1) Triclinic, a=8.481(4), b=12.097(5), and α=66.32(2), β=82.97(3), and γ=82.59(4)°, Z=2, R₁=0.0685, wR₂=0.1522. (2) Triclinic, a=6.643(13), b=11.794(2), and α=101.39(3), β=101.59(3), and γ=97.15(3)°, Z=2, R₁=0.0736, wR₂=0.1998.     

Eu and Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy of EuSbSe3 and EuBiSe3

¹⁵¹Eu and ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy of EuSbSe₃ and EuBiSe₃ were measured at different temperatures. The presence of divalent europium and trivalent antimony were confirmed. The largely negative values of the isomer shift in ¹⁵¹Eu spectrum show highly ionic bonding within these two compounds. Both of them show magnetic hyperfine field splitting at 4.2 K, which indicates a change in the orientation of the EFG principal axis with respect to the magnetic hyperfine field direction. EuSbSe₃ has slightly smaller electron density at the antimony nuclei, compared to Sb₂Se_3.     

Magnetic structures of the α-Li3Fe2(PO4)3−x(AsO4)x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution

Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out for the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)_3−x(AsO₄)_x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution, potential candidate for the cathode material of the lithium secondary batteries. The crystal and magnetic structures of all these phases are based on the structural and magnetic model corresponding to the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ phosphate parent, but with some differences promoted by the arsenate substitution. The PO₄ and AsO₄ groups have a random distribution in the structure. In all compounds the coupling of the magnetic moments takes place in the (001) plane, but the value of the angle between the moments and the x direction decreases from 38.3° (α-Li₃Fe₂(AsO₄)₃) to 4.7° (α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₂(AsO₄)₁). This rotation arises from the change in the tilt angle between the Fe(1)O₆ and Fe(2)O₆ crystallographically and magnetically independent octahedra in the structures, and affects the effectiveness of the magnetic exchange pathways. The ordering temperature T_N decreases with the increase of phosphate amount in the compounds. The existence of a phenomenon of canting and the evolution of the ferrimagnetic behavior in this solid solution is also discussed.     

Metal valences in electron-doped (Sr,La)2FeTaO6 double perovskite: A Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study

Substitution of divalent Sr by trivalent La is found to affect the valence states of both of the two B-site cations, Fe and Ta, in the double perovskite oxide (Sr_1−xLa_x)₂FeTaO₆. Moreover, it improves the degree of order of these cations. From ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra the average Fe valence was found to decrease with increasing La substitution level, x. However, the valence of Fe decreased less than expected if the valence of Ta was assumed to remain constant. Hence, we conclude that also the valence of Ta decreases.     

Crystal-structure and Mössbauer studies of Li1.746Nd4.494FeO9.493

The Li_1.746Nd_4.494FeO_9.493 (LNF) ternary phase, located in the Li₂O-rich part of the Li₂O-Nd₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ system, crystallizes with a cubic unit cell of dimension and the space group Im3m. Refinement on F resulted in R=1.9%. The structure is comprised of a network of corners, edges and faces sharing the coordination polyhedra of neodymium. In between this skeleton the regular octahedra of oxygen-coordinated iron and trigonal prisms of lithium are located. The Mössbauer spectra revealed the presence of Fe³⁺, Fe⁴⁺ and Fe⁵⁺ ions distributed on two symmetry-independent lattice positions.     

Formation of [CoCl4(H2O)2] complex in CoCl2·MgCl2·8H2O double salt: structural and energetic properties of [MCl4(H2O)2] and [M(H2O)6] (M=Mg, Co)

The crystal structure of the double salt CoCl₂·MgCl₂·8H₂O has been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. It crystallizes in the space group with a=6.0976(9), b=6.308(1), c=8.579(3) Å, α=81.99(2)°, β=88.40°, γ=84.61(1)°, Z=1, and R=0.027. The crystal consists of two kinds of well separated octahedra, [CoCl₄(H₂O)₂]²⁻ and [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺. The former is unique as aquachloro complexes of Co²⁺. In order to elucidate the reason prepared as such unique complexes in the double salts, formation energies for [MCl₄(H₂O)₂]²⁻ and [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ (M=Co, Mg) have been calculated by using the density functional methods, and it has been revealed that the formation energies of the first coordination sphere for the metal ions and the Cl⁻?H₂O hydrogen bond networks around [CoCl₄(H₂O)₂]²⁻ play a decisive role in forming [CoCl₄(H₂O)₂]²⁻ with the regular octahedral geometry in the double salt.     

Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic and luminescent properties of (H3O)6·[Co4(H2O)4(HPMIDA)2(PMIDA)2)]·2H2O

A cobalt phosphonate (H₃O)₆·[Co₄(H₂O)₄(HPMIDA)₂(PMIDA)₂)]·2H₂O, 1, has been synthesized from a mild solvothermal reaction of Co(II) ion with N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (H₄PMIDA). Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group with cell parameters of , , , α=93.06(3)°, β=99.66(3)°, γ=90.34(3)° and Z=1. Compound 1 shows a novel tetra-nuclear molecular structure. In the crystal lattice, molecules of 1 hydrogen bond to each other to form two-dimensional (2D) layers, which are further linked together by the co-crystallized H₂O molecules and H₃O⁺ counter ions through hydrogen bonding to form the 3D supramolecular network. Thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectrum, magnetic susceptibility and luminescent spectra are given.     

Mössbauer investigation of Fe doped La4Ni3O10±y phases

⁵⁷Fe doped La₄Ni_2.97Fe_0.03O_9.95 was synthesized by a citrate method and, afterwards, successfully oxidized and reduced by electrochemical methods. The compounds obtained were investigated by X-ray diffraction, electrical measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The study allowed to follow the variation of the two nickel sites environment with the oxygen stoichiometry and a deeper understanding of the electrical behavior versus oxygen non-stoichiometry was achieved. The Mössbauer study revealed that after both oxidation and reduction treatments, the major modifications were observed on the octahedra adjacent to the La₂O₂ layers, while the middle octahedra of the triple perovskite block remained almost unchanged. The oxygen intercalation (oxidized treatment) takes place essentially in the La₂O₂ layers and the oxygen desintercalation (reduction treatment) occurs in the octahedral sites adjacent to those layers.     

Reduction properties of phases in the system La0.5Sr0.5MO3 (M=Fe, Co)

Phases formed by the reduction of compounds of the type La_0.5Sr_0.5MO₃ (M=Fe, Co) have been characterized by means of temperature programmed reduction, X-ray powder diffraction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and Fe K-, Co K-, Sr K-, and La L_III-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results show that treatment of the material of composition La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO₃ (which contains 50% Fe⁴⁺ and 50% Fe³⁺) at 650 °C in a flowing 90% hydrogen/10% nitrogen atmosphere results in the formation of an oxygen-deficient perovskite-related phase containing only trivalent iron. Further heating in the gaseous reducing environment at 1150 °C results in the formation of the Fe³⁺-containing phase SrLaFeO₄, which has a K₂NiF₄-type structure, and metallic iron. The material of composition La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ is more susceptible to reduction than the compound La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO₃ since, after heating at 520 °C in the hydrogen/nitrogen mixture, all the Co⁴⁺ and Co³⁺ are reduced to metallic cobalt with the concomitant formation of strontium- and lanthanum-oxides.     

Crystallographic and infrared spectroscopic study of bond distances in Ln[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O (Ln=lanthanide)

Along with crystallographic data of Ln[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O (Ln=lanthanide), the infrared spectra are reassigned to examine bond length trends across the series of Ln. The changes in mean Ln-O, Ln-N, CN and Fe-C distances are discussed and the bond natures of Ln-N and Ln-O are studied by bond length linear or quadratic fitting and comparisons with relevant ionic radii. The two different CN bond distances have been simulated by the covalo-electrostatic model.     

Solvothermal synthesis of three new dimeric thiogermanates (enH)4Ge2S6, [Mn(en)3]2Ge2S6 and [Ni(en)3]2Ge2S6 from germanium dioxide and sulfur powder

Three new thiogermanates (enH)₄Ge₂S₆ (1) and [M(en)₃]₂Ge₂S₆ (M=Mn (2), Ni (3); en=ethylenediamine) were synthesized using GeO₂ and S₈ as starting materials in molar ratio of 1:0.5 under solvothermal conditions. These compounds suggest that the dimeric [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ anion is likely to be the main germanium-containing species in en system and it also might be preferred as counter anions by the transition metal complex cations in crystallization. The cations of [Mn(en)₃]²⁺ and [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ are even better mineralizers than the protonated amine of [enH]⁺. The crystal systems of [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ compounds are related to entities of cations and intermolecular reactions between cations and [Ge₂S₆]⁴⁻ anions. The compounds remove ethylenediamine and H₂S molecules in multi steps when being heated under nitrogen stream.     

Conservation of [(C2H4NH3)3N]2·(ZrF7)2·H2O layers during the topotactic dehydration of [(C2H4NH3)3N]2·(ZrF7)2·9H2O

Tren amine cations [(C₂H₄NH₃)₃N]³⁺ and zirconate or tantalate anions adopt a ternary symmetry in two hydrates, [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·9H₂O and [H₃tren]₆·(ZrF₇)₂·(TaOF₆)₄·3H₂O, which crystallise in R32 space group with a_H = 8.871 (2) Å, c_H = 38.16 (1) Å and a_H = 8.758 (2) Å, c_H = 30.112 (9) Å, respectively. Similar [H₃tren]₂·(MX₇)₂·H₂O (M = Zr, Ta; X = F, O) sheets are found in both structures; they are separated by a water layer (O_w(2)-O_w(3)) in [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·9H₂O. Dehydration of [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·9H₂O starts at room temperature and ends at 90 °C to give [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·H₂O. [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·H₂O layers remain probably unchanged during this dehydration and the existence of one intermediate [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·3H₂O hydrate is assumed. O_w(1) molecules are tightly hydrogen bonded with -NH₃⁺ groups and decomposition of [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₇)₂·H₂O occurs from 210 °C to 500 °C to give successively [H₃tren]₂·(ZrF₆)·(Zr₂F₁₂) (285 °C), an intermediate unknown phase (320 °C) and ZrF₄.     

[H3tren] and [H4tren] fluoride zirconates or tantalates

Four new [H₃tren]³⁺ or [H₄tren]⁴⁺ fluoride zirconates and two new [H₃tren]³⁺ fluoride tantalates are evidenced in the (ZrF₄ or Ta₂O₅)-tren-HF_aq.-ethanol systems at 190 °C: the structurally related phases [H₄tren]·(Zr₂F₁₂)·H₂O and α-[H₄tren]·(Zr₂F₁₂) (P2₁2₁2₁), β-[H₄tren]·(Zr₂F₁₂) (P2₁/c), [H₃tren]₄·(ZrF₈)₃·4H₂O (I23), β-[H₃tren]₂·(Ta₃O₂F₁₆)·(F) (R32) and its monoclinic distortion α-[H₃tren]₂·(Ta₃O₂F₁₆)·(F) (C2/m). α and β-[H₄tren]·(Zr₂F₁₂) and [H₄tren]·(Zr₂F₁₂)·H₂O are built up from (Zr₂F₁₂) dimers of edge sharing ZrF₇ polyhedra while isolated ZrF₈ dodecahedra are found in [H₃tren]₄·(ZrF₈)₃·4H₂O. Linear (Ta₃O₂F₁₆) trimers build α and β-[H₃tren]₂·(Ta₃O₂F₁₆)·(F); they consist of two (TaOF₆) pentagonal bipyramids that are linked to two opposite oxygen atoms of one central (TaO₂F₄) octahedron. A disorder affects the equatorial fluorine atoms of the trimers and eventually carbon or nitrogen atoms of [H₃tren]³⁺ cations.     

Crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of the mixed-valence iron phosphate Na1/2Cu4/3Fe2(PO4)3

Single crystals of a new mixed-valent iron phosphate Na_1/2Cu_4/3Fe₂(PO₄)₃ have been synthesized by a flux method and structurally characterized from X-ray diffraction data. Crystal data: space group ; ; ; ; α=105.881(1)°; β=107.202(1)°; γ=101.467(1)°; Z=2; R₁=0.03; wR₂=0.093. The three-dimensional structure was found to be closely related to that of the well known Howardevansite structural type. It results from infinite chains of CuO₅ and FeO₆ polyhedra, joined together by (Cu,□)O₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra by corner-sharing. The large cavities in framework are occupied by Na⁺ ions. The magnetic susceptibility study revealed an antiferromagnetic behavior with Neel temperature of approximately 40 K. The Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the presence of iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states.     

Syntheses and structures of three new scandium selenites: Sc2(SeO3)3·H2O, Sc2 (SeO3)3·3H2O and CsSc3(SeO3)4 (HSeO3)2·2H2O

Three new hydrated scandium selenites have been hydrothermally synthesized as single crystals and structurally and physically characterized. Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·H₂O crystallizes as a new structure type containing novel ScO₇ pentagonal bipyramidal and ScO₆₊₁ capped octahedral coordination polyhedra. Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O contains typical ScO₆ octahedra and is isostructural with its M₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O (M=Al, Cr, Fe, Ga) congeners. CsSc₃(SeO₃)₄(HSeO₃)₂·2H₂O contains near-regular ScO₆ octahedra and has essentially the same structure as its indium-containing analogue. All three phases contain the expected pyramidal [SeO₃]^2- selenite groups. Crystal data: Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·3H₂O, M_r=524.85, trigonal, R3c (No. 161), , , , Z=6, R(F)=0.018, wR(F²)=0.036; Sc₂(SeO₃)₃·H₂O, M_r=488.82, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁ (No. 19), , , , , Z=4, R(F)=0.051, wR(F²)=0.086; CsSc₃(SeO₃)₄(HSeO₃)₂·2H₂O, M_r=1067.60, orthorhombic, Pnma (No. 62), , , , , Z=4, R(F)=0.035, wR(F²)=0.070.