Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of a New Iron(III) Silicophosphate Fe3P5SiO19 Studied by Neutron Diffraction and Mössbauer Techniques

Fe₃P₅SiO₁₉ has been prepared by solid state reaction of Fe(PO₃)₃, FePO₄, and SiO₂ at 1000°C. The structure has been determined from a single crystal through direct methods and difference Fourier synthesis and refined to R=0.052. The unit cell is hexagonal, space group P6₃, with a=14.4804(8) Å, c=7.4256(2) Å, and Z=4. The three-dimensional framework is built up from [Fe₂O₉] units of two faces sharing octahedra and Si₂O₇ disilicates linked by PO₄ tetrahedra. Fe₃P₅SiO₁₉ is isotypic with V₃P₅SiO₁₉. Fe₃P₅SiO₁₉ is antiferromagnetic below T_N=35 K. The magnetic structure has been determined by means of powder neutron diffraction methods: the magnetic moments are antiferromagnetically coupled inside the [Fe₂O₉] units, in agreement with the Goodenough rules. These units are linked to each other through several Fe-O-P-O-Fe super-superexchange pathways and form antiferromagnetic [001] rows. The moment direction lies in the (001) plane (μ_Fe=4.56(5) μ_B at 2 K). There is a competition between the intra- and interunits interactions which all are antiferromagnetic and cannot be simultaneously satisfied without frustration. Mössbauer spectra are fitted with two doublets and two sextuplets in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic states, respectively. Their rather high isomer shifts are explained by the inductive effect. The magnetic interactions are discussed.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Spectroscopic and Magnetic Behavior of the Mn7(HOXO3)4(XO4)2(X=As, P) Compounds. Crystal Structure of Mn7(HOAsO3)4(AsO4)2

The Mn₇(HOXO₃)₄(XO₄)₂ (X=As, P) compounds have been synthesized by using hydrothermal conditions. The arsenate phase was obtained under autogeneous pressure at 170°C. However, more drastic conditions at both pressure and temperature were necessary in the attainment of the phosphate compound. The crystal structure of Mn₇(HOAsO₃)₄(AsO₄)₂ was solved using single-crystal data. The unit-cell parameters are a=6.810(3) Å, b=8.239(2) Å, c=10.011(4) Å, α=104.31(2)°, β=108.94(3)°, γ=101.25(2)°. Triclinic, P-1 with Z=1. The isostructural Mn₇(HOPO₃)₄(PO₄)₂ phase was characterized from X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The crystal structure of both compounds consists of zig-zag chains constructed by dimeric edge-sharing Mn₂O₁₀ octahedra linked through the MnO₅ trigonal bipyramids. The three-dimensional framework is completed by the connection between isolated MnO₆ entities to the dimers octahedra and trigonal bipyramids. The existence of hydrogenarsenate and hydrogenphosphate anions has been confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopies. Magnetic measurements indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in both compounds, which are slightly stronger in the arsenate phase.     

Synthesis, Crystal and Magnetic Structures of the Sodium Ferrate (IV) Na4FeO4 Studied by Neutron Diffraction and Mössbauer Techniques

The alkali sodium ferrate (IV) Na₄FeO₄ has been prepared by solid-state reaction of sodium peroxide Na₂O₂ and wustite Fe_1−xO, in a molar ratio Na/Fe=4, at 400°C under vacuum. Powder X-ray and neutron diffraction studies indicate that Na₄FeO₄ crystallizes in the triclinic system P−1 with the cell parameters= a=8.4810(2) Å, b=5.7688(1) Å, c=6.5622(1) Å, α=124.662(2)°, β=98.848(2)°, γ=101.761(2)° and Z=2. Na₄FeO₄ is isotypic with the other known phases Na₄MO₄ (M=Ti, Cr, Mn, Co and Ge, Sn, Pb). The solid solution Na₄Fe_xCo_1−xO₄ exists for x=0-1 and we have followed the evolution of the cell parameters with x to determine the lattice parameters of the triclinic cell of Na₄FeO₄. A three-dimensional network of isolated FeO₄ tetrahedra connected by Na atoms characterizes the structure. This compound is antiferromagnetic below T_N=16 K. At 2 K the magnetic cell is twice the nuclear cell and the magnetic structure is collinear (μ_Fe=3.36(12) μ_B at 2 K). This black compound is highly hygroscopic. In water or on contact with the atmospheric moisture it is disproportionated in Fe³⁺ and Fe⁶⁺. The Mössbauer spectra of Na₄FeO₄ are fitted with one doublet (δ=− 0.22 mm/s, Δ=0.41 mm/s at 295 K) in the paramagnetic state and with a sextet at 8K. These parameters characterize Fe⁴⁺ high-spin in tetrahedral FeO₄ coordination.     

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.     

A Suberato-Pillared Mn(II) Coordination Polymer: Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Mn2(H2O)[O2C(CH2)6CO2]2

A suberato-pillared Mn(II) coordination polymer Mn₂(H₂O)(C₈H₁₂O₄)₂ was hydrothermally synthesized at 170°C for 3 days and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: monoclinic, C2/c, Z=4, a=26.544(5), b=7.617(2), c=9.187(2) Å, β=105.38(2)°, V=1791.0(7) ų, R₁=0.064 and wR₂=0.162. The compound shows a layered structure consisting of inorganic Mn oxygen polyhedral layers and organic regions. The inorganic Mn oxygen layers are generated from Mn₂O₁₀ bioctahedral units, which share corners with neighbors to form zigzag chains along the [001] direction and are, along the [010] direction, further connected by carboxylate groups of the suberato ligands and hydrogen bonds. The magnetic studies indicated that the compound becomes antiferromagnetic at low temperatures with T_Néel=12 K and follows Curie-Weiss law χ_m(T+22.429)= 4.48 cm³ mol⁻¹ K between 25 and 300 K. Upon heating in Ar stream, Mn₂(H₂O)(C₈H₁₂O₄)₂ decomposes in three steps.     

Crystal structures of the novel hydrated borates Ba2B5O9(OH), Sr2B5O9(OH) and Li2Sr8B22O41(OH)2

Three novel hydrated borates Ba₂B₅O₉(OH) (1), Sr₂B₅O₉(OH) (2) and Li₂Sr₈B₂₂O₄₁(OH)₂ (3) have been synthesized hydrothermally and their structures determined. Compounds (1) and (2) are isostructural, crystallizing in space group P2₁/c and having lattice parameters of a=6.6330(13) Å, b=8.6250(17) Å, c=14.680(3) Å, β=93.46(3)° and a=6.4970(13) Å, b=8.4180(17) Å, c=14.177(3) Å, β=94.35(3)°, respectively. Compound (3) crystallizes in P-1 with lattice parameters of a=6.4684(13) Å, b=8.4513(17) Å, c=14.881(3) Å, α=101.21(3)°, β=93.96(3)°, γ=90.67(3)°. While similar in their axis lengths, (3) differs greatly in structure and formulation from (1) and (2). The structure of (1) and (2) is contrasted to that of the well-known mineral hilgardite (Ca₂B₅O₉Cl·H₂O).     

Hydrothermal synthesis, thermal, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic studies of the Mn5−xCox(HPO4)2(PO4)2(H2O)4 (x=1.25, 2, 2.5 and 3) finite solid solution

The Mn_5−xCo_x(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₄ (x=1.25, 2, 2.5, 3) finite solid solution has been synthesized by mild hydrothermal conditions under autogeneous pressure. The phases crystallize in the C2/c space group with Z=4, belonging to the monoclinic system. The unit-cell parameters obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction are: a=17.525(1), b=9.0535(6), c=9.4517(7) Å, β=96.633(5) ° being R1=0.0436, wR2=0.0454 for Mn75Co25; a=17.444(2), b=9.0093(9), c=9.400(1) Å, β=96.76(1) ° being R1=0.0381, wR2=0.0490 for Mn60Co40; a=17.433(2), b=8.9989(9), c=9.405(1) Å, β=96.662(9) ° being R1=0.0438, wR2=0.0515 for Mn50Co50 and a=17.4257(9), b=8.9869(5), c=9.3935(5) Å, β=96.685(4) ° being R1=0.0296, wR2=0.0460 for Mn40Co60. The structure consists of a three dimensional network formed by octahedral pentameric entities (Mn,Co)₅O₁₆(H₂O)₆ sharing vertices with the (PO₄)³⁻ and (HPO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra. The limit of thermal stability of these compounds is, approximately, 165 °C, near to this mean temperature the phases loose their water content in two successive steps. IR spectra show the characteristic bands of the water molecules and the phosphate and hydrogen-phosphate oxoanions. The diffuse reflectance spectra are consistent with the presence of MO₆ octahedra environments in slightly distorted octahedral geometry, except for the M(3)O₆ octahedron which presents a remarkable distortion and so a higher Dq parameter. The mean value for the Dq and B-Racah parameter for the M(1),(2)O₆ octahedra is 685 and 850 cm⁻¹, respectively. These parameters for the most distorted M(3)O₆ polyhedron are 825 and 880 cm⁻¹, respectively. The four phases exhibit antiferromagnetic couplings as the major magnetic interactions. However, a small spin canting phenomenon is observed at low temperatures for the two phases with major content in the anisotropic-Co(II) cation.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new open-framework iron phosphate (NH4)4Fe3(OH)2F2[H3(PO4)4]: Novel linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra

A new iron phosphate (NH₄)₄Fe₃(OH)₂F₂[H₃(PO₄)₄] has been synthesized hydrothermally at HF concentrations from 0.5 to 1.2 mL. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals its three-dimensional open-framework structure (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a=6.2614(13) Å, b=9.844(2) Å, c=14.271(3) Å, β=92.11(1)°, V=879.0(3) Å³). This structure is built from isolated linear trimers of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, which are linked by (PO₄) groups to form ten-membered-ring channels along [1 0 0]. This isolated, linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, [(FeO₄)₃(OH)₂F₂], is new and adds to the diverse linkages of Fe polyhedra as secondary building units in iron phosphates. The trivalent iron at octahedral sites for the title compound has been confirmed by synchrotron Fe K-edge XANES spectra and magnetic measurements. Magnetic measurements also show that this compound exhibit a strong antiferromagnetic exchange below T_N=17 K, consistent with superexchange interactions expected for the linear trimer of ferric octahedra with the Fe-F-Fe angle of 132.5°.     

New Gallium Phosphate Frameworks Containing 1,4-Diaminobutane and 1,5-Diaminopentane: [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga4(PO4)4(HPO4)] and [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga(PO4)(HPO4)] (x=4 and 5)

Two new gallium phosphates, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄ (HPO₄)] (I) and [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (II), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1,4-diaminobutane and their structures determined using room-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Compound (I) (M_r=844.90, triclinic, space group P-1, a=9.3619(3), b=10.1158(3) and c=12.6456(5) Å, α=98.485(1), β=107.018(2) and γ=105.424(1)°; V=1070.39 ų, Z=2, R=3.68% and R_w=4.40% for 2918 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) consists of GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra and GaO₅ trigonal bipyramids linked to generate an open three-dimensional framework containing 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-membered rings of alternating Ga- and P-based polyhedra. 1,4-Diaminobutane dications are located in channels bounded by the 12-membered rings in the two-dimensional pore network and are held to the framework by hydrogen bonding. Compound (II) (M_r=350.84, monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=4.8922(1), b=18.3638(6) and c=13.7468(5) Å, β=94.581(1)°; V=1227.76 ų, Z=4, R=2.95% and R_w=3.37% for 2050 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) contains chains of edge-sharing 4-membered rings of alternating GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra constituting a backbone from which hang ‘pendant’ PO₃(OH) groups. Hydrogen bonding between the GaPO framework and the diamine dications holds the structure together. A previously reported phase, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (V), structurally related but distinct from its stoichiometric equivalent, (I), has been prepared as a pure phase by this method. Two further materials, [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (III) (tricli- nic, lattice parameters from PXD: a=9.3565(4), b=5.0156(2) and c=12.7065(4) Å, α=96.612(3), β=102.747(4) and γ=105.277(3)°) and [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (IV) (M_r=364.86, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=4.9239(2), b=13.2843(4) and c=19.5339(7) Å, β=96.858(1)°; V=1268.58 ų, Z=4, R=3.74% and R_w=4.44% for 2224 observed room-temperature data [I>3(σ(I))]), were also prepared under similar conditions in the presence of 1,5-diaminopentane. (III) and (IV) are structurally related to, yet distinct from (I) and (II) respectively.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Co2TeO3Cl2 and Co2TeO3Br2

The crystal structures of the two new synthetic compounds Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ and Co₂TeO₃Br₂ are described together with their magnetic properties. Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with unit cell parameters a=5.0472(6) Å, b=6.6325(9) Å, c=8.3452(10) Å, β=105.43(1)°, Z=2. Co₂TeO₃Br₂ crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pccn with unit cell parameters a=10.5180(7) Å, b=15.8629(9) Å, c=7.7732(5) Å, Z=8. The crystal structures were solved from single crystal data, R=0.0328 and 0.0412, respectively. Both compounds are layered with only weak interactions in between the layers. The compound Co₂TeO₃Cl₂ has [CoO₄Cl₂] and [CoO₃Cl₃] octahedra while Co₂TeO₃Br₂ has [CoO₂Br₂] tetrahedra and [CoO₄Br₂] octahedra. The Te(IV) atoms are tetrahedrally [TeO₃E] coordinated in both compounds taking the 5s² lone electron pair E into account. The magnetic properties of the compounds are characterized predominantly by long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 30 K.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a novel organo-templated iron(III) borophosphate: (C3H12N2)Fe 6(H2O)4[B4P8O32(OH)8]

The organo-templated iron(III) borophosphate (C₃H₁₂N₂)Fe^III ₆(H₂O)₄[B₄P₈O₃₂(OH)₈] was prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions (at 443 K) and the crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray data at 295 K (monoclinic, P2₁/c (No. 14), a=5.014(2) Å, b=9.309(2) Å, c=20.923(7) Å, β=110.29(2)°, V=915.9(5) Å³, Z=2, R1=0.049, wR2=0.107 for all data, 2234 observed reflections with I>2σ(I)). The title compound contains a complex inorganic framework of borophosphate trimers [BP₂O₈(OH)₂]⁵⁻ together with FeO₄(OH)(H₂O)- and FeO₄(OH)₂-octahedra forming channels with ten-membered ring apertures in which the diaminopropane cations are located. The magnetization measurements confirm the Fe(III)-state and show an antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N≈14.0(1) K.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Layered Aluminophosphate [Al3P4O16][(CH3)2NHCH2CH2NH(CH3)2][H3O]

A new layered aluminophosphate, denoted AlPO-CJ12, has been synthesized in the system Al(OPrⁱ)₃-H₃PO₄-tetramethylethylenediamine-triethyleneglycol and its structure solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It is further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, ICP, TG, DTA, and elemental analyses. The compound has an empirical formula of [Al₃P₄O₁₆][(CH₃)₂NHCH₂CH₂NH(CH₃)₂][H₃O], and crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 (No. 2) with a=8.9907(6) Å b=9.8359(6) Å, c=14.5566(8) Å, α=75.872(3)°, β=88.616(3)°, γ=63.404(3)°, Z=2, R₁=0.0451, and wR₂=0.1094. The alternation of tetrahedral AlO₄ and PO₃ (=O) units forms a sheet structure with a 4×6×8 network. The inorganic layers stacked in an AAAA sequence are held together by the protonated organic amine and water molecules. The co-templating role of the water molecules is studied by the calculation of the nonbonding host-guest interaction energies through a computational simulation.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a new bismuth chromate: Bi8(CrO4)O11

Single crystals of a new bismuth chromate, Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁, were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of NaBiO₃·nH₂O in K₂CrO₄ solution. The bismuth chromate crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with a=9.657(3), b=11.934(3), c=13.868(2)Å and β=104.14(1)°, Z=4 and the final R factors are R=0.038 and R_w=0.041 for 3541 unique reflections. The crystal structure has a slab built up by (CrO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra and distorted bismuth polyhedra which are five-fold pyramids, six-fold trigonal prisms and octahedra. The distance of lone pair from nucleus for bismuth atoms ranges from 0.29 to 1.12 Å, depending on the coordination environment. Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁ decomposes to Bi₁₄CrO₂₄ and a small amount of an unknown phase at 796 °C.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic studies of the new pillared microporous ammonium Fe(III) carboxyethylphosphonate: [NH4][Fe2(OH){O3P(CH2)2CO2}2]

The preparation by hydrothermal reaction and the crystal structure of the iron(III) carboxyethylphosphonate of formula [NH₄][Fe₂(OH){O₃P(CH₂)₂CO₂}₂] is reported. The green-yellow compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Pc(n.7), with the following unit-cell parameters: a=7.193(3) Å, b=9.776(3) Å, c=10.17(4) Å and β=94.3(2)°. It shows a typical layered hybrid organic-inorganic structure featuring an alternation of organic and inorganic layers along the a-axis of the unit cell. The bifunctional ligand [O₃P(CH₂)₂CO₂]³⁻ is deprotonated and acts as a linker between adjacent inorganic layers, to form pillars along the a-axis. The inorganic layers are made up of dinuclear Fe(III) units, formed by coordination of the metal ions with the oxygen atoms originating from the [O₃P−]²⁻ end of the carboxyethylphosphonate molecules, the oxygen atoms of the [−CO₂]⁻ end group of a ligand belonging to the adjacent layer and the oxygen atom of the bridged OH group. Each Fe(III) ion is six-coordinated in a very distorted octahedral environment. Within the dimer the Fe-Fe separation is found to be 3.5 Å, and the angle inside the [Fe(1)-O(11)-Fe(2)] dimers is ∼124°. The resulting 3D framework contains micropores delimited by four adjacent dimers in the (bc) planes of the unit cell. These holes develop along the a-direction as tunnel-like pores and [NH₄]⁺ cations are located there. The presence of the μ-hydroxo-bridged [Fe(1)-O(11)-Fe(2)] dimers in the lattice is also responsible for the magnetic behavior of the compound at low temperatures. The compound contains Fe³⁺ ions in the high-spin state and the two Fe(III) ions are antiferromagnetic coupled. The J/k value of −16.3 K is similar to those found for other μ-hydroxo-bridged Fe(III) dimeric systems having the same geometry.     

Preparation, Structure, and Properties of V2GeO4F2—Chains of VO4F2 Octahedra in the First V(III) Metallate Fluoride

Powder samples of the new oxide fluoride V₂GeO₄F₂ have been obtained by the reaction of appropriate amounts V₂O₃, VF₃, and GeO₂ at 700°C for 18 h in an argon-filled sealed platinum tube. V₂GeO₄F₂ crystallizes in the space group Pnma with a=9.336(1), b=8.898 (1), and c=4.912 (1) Å. The structure has been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld method (R_int=5.5% and R_p=9.8%). The structure of V₂GeO₄F₂ exhibits close packed layers of the anions with an ordering of O and F. The characteristic building units are discrete GeO₄ tetrahedra with Ge-O distances of 1.75-1.80 Å. The V are coordinated by four O and two F to form VO₄F₂ octahedra connected via two common edges to give zigzag chains. These chains are linked via corners to form a three-dimensional network. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of V₂GeO₄F₂ indicates antiferromagnetic correlations.     

A novel germanate, Cu2Fe2Ge4O13, with a four tetrahedra oligomer

The structure of Cu₂Fe₂Ge₄O₁₃, previously thought to be CuFeGe₂O₆, has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to be monoclinic, P2₁/m, a=12.1050(6), b=8.5073(4), c=4.8736(2) Å, β=96.145(1)°, Z=2, with R1=0.0231 and wR2=0.0605. The unique structure has an oligomer of four germanate tetrahedra, cross-linked laterally by square-planar copper ions, joined end-to-end by a zigzag chain of edge-sharing iron oxide octahedra. Running along the a-direction the metal oxide chain consists of alternating Cu-Cu and Fe-Fe dimers. A hypothetical series of homologous structures (Cu_n−2Fe₂Ge_nO_3n+1 with n=3,4,…,∞) with different length germanate oligomers is proposed, where as n increases, the infinite chain of the CuGeO₃ is approached. In this context, Cu₂Fe₂Ge₄O₁₃ is viewed as being built from blocks of CuGeO₃ and the Fe oxide chains. This material has significance to the study of low-dimensional mixed-spin systems.     

High-pressure synthesis and structural characterization of three new polyphosphides, α-SrP3, BaP8, and LaP5

Three novel metal polyphosphides, α-SrP₃, BaP₈, and LaP₅, were prepared in BN crucibles by the reaction of the respective stoichiometric mixtures under a high pressure of 3 GPa at 950-1000°C. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray data (α-SrP₃: space group C2/m, a=9.199(6) Å, b=7.288(3) Å, c=5.690(3) Å, β=113.45(4)°, Z=4, R₁/wR₂=0.0684/0.1180 for 471 observed reflections and 22 variables; BaP₈: space group P−1, a=6.762(2) Å, b=7.233(2) Å, c=8.567(2) Å, α=86.32(2)°, β=84.31(2)°, γ=70.40(2)°, Z=2, R₁/wR₂=0.0476/0.1255 for 2702 observed reflections and 82 variables; LaP₅: space group P2₁/m, a=4.885(1) Å, b=9.673(3) Å, c=5.577(2) Å, β=105.32(2)°, Z=2, R₁/wR₂=0.0391/0.1034 for 1272 observed reflections and 31 variables). α-SrP₃ is isostructural with SrAs₃ and the crystal structure consists of two-dimensional puckered polyanionic layers _∞²[P₃]²⁻ that stack along the c-axis yielding channels occupied by Sr²⁺ counterions. BaP₈ crystallizes in a new structure type which contains a three-dimensional infinite polyanionic framework _∞³[P₃]²⁻, with large channels hosting the barium cations. LaP₅ is a layered compound containing _∞²[P₅]³⁻ polyanionic layers separated by La³⁺ ions. All three compounds exhibit expected diamagnetic behaviors.