Investigation on the influence of particular structure parameters on the anisotropic spin-exchange interactions in the distorted wolframite-type oxides Cu(Mo(x)W(1-x))O4

A spin-dimer analysis of the anisotropic spin-exchange interactions in the distorted wolframite-type oxides CuWO4, CuMoO4-III, and Cu(Mo(0.25)W(0.75))O4 was performed by Koo and Whangbo (Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 2161-2169). For Cu(Mo(0.25)W(0.75))O4, a magnetic structure with a magnetic unit cell doubled along the a and b axes has been predicted, but neutron powder diffraction on Cu(Mo(0.25)W(0.75))O4 did not confirm such a magnetic structure. In the present work, a detailed spin-dimer analysis, considering the influence of particular atomic structure parameters, finally revealed that a wrong coordinate transformation of the Cu z coordinate of the Cu(Mo(0.25)W(0.75))O4 structure is responsible for the prediction of the new, hypothetical magnetic structure. The deviation from the correct value is too small to be recognized by unreasonable bond lengths or angles but is sufficient to change one specific calculated value that is responsible for the prediction of the hypothetical magnetic structure.     

Spin dimer analysis of the spin exchange interactions in paramelaconite Cu(4)O(3) and its analogue Ag(2)Cu(2)O(3) and the spin ordering of the Cu(2)O(3) spin lattice leading to their magnetic phase transitions

The magnetic structures of the Cu(2)O(3) spin lattices present in Cu(4)O(3) and Ag(2)Cu(2)O(3) were analyzed by studying their spin exchange interactions on the basis of spin dimer analysis. Calculations of spin exchange parameters were calibrated by studying LiCuVO(4) whose intrachain and interchain antiferromagnetic spin exchange parameters are known experimentally. The magnetic phase transition of Cu(4)O(3) at 42.3 K doubles the unit cell along each crystallographic direction. The spin arrangements of the Cu(2)O(3) lattice consistent with this experimental observation are different from conventional antiferromagnetic ordering. Our analysis indicates that spin fluctuation should occur in Cu(4)O(3), low-dimensional magnetism should be more important than magnetic frustration in Cu(4)O(3), and Ag(2)Cu(2)O(3) and Cu(4)O(3) should have similar structural and magnetic properties.     

Comparison of the spin exchange interactions in PbCu2(PO4)2 and SrCu2(PO4)2 on the basis of spin dimer analysis

The spin exchange interactions of PbCu₂(PO₄)₂ were examined by performing the spin dimer analysis based on the extended Hückel tight-binding method, and were compared with those of SrCu₂(PO₄)₂. The two strongest Cu–O⋯O–Cu super–superexchange interactions, J₁ (with Cu⋯Cu = 5.868 Å) and J₂ (with Cu⋯Cu = 5.184 Å), are strong and lead to a linear-four-spin-cluster model for both PbCu₂(PO₄)₂ and SrCu₂(PO₄)₂. Adjacent linear-four-spin-clusters interact substantially in SrCu₂(PO₄)₂, but weakly in PbCu₂(PO₄)₂. The difference in the magnetization behaviors of the two compounds was examined by calculating the magnetic excitation energies of the linear-four-spin-cluster model.     

Investigation of the spin exchange interactions and magnetic Structures of the CrVO4-type transition metal phosphates,sulfates, and vanadates by spin dimer analysis

The CrVO(4)-type magnetic oxides MM'O(4) consist of edge-sharing MO(4) octahedral chains condensed with M'O(4) tetrahedra and exhibit a wide variety of magnetic structures. The magnetic properties of these oxides were examined by studying their spin exchange interactions on the basis of spin dimer analysis. The nature and magnitudes of the intra- and interchain spin exchange interactions depend on the square-to-rectangle distortion in the basal planes of the MO(4) chain and on the difference between the M 3d and O 2p orbital energies. The spiral magnetic structures of beta-CrPO(4) and MnSO(4) originate from the pseudohexagonal arrangement of the MO(4) chains and the frustrated interchain antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Flux growth of vanadyl pyrophosphate, (VO)(2)P(2)O(7), and spin dimer analysis of the spin exchange interactions of (VO)(2)P(2)O(7) and vanadyl hydrogen phosphate,VO(HPO(4)).0.5H(2)O

Large transparent blue crystals of vanadyl pyrophosphate, (VO)(2)P(2)O(7), were grown from a phosphorus pentoxide flux, and the single-crystal X-ray structure of (VO)(2)P(2)O(7) was determined with high precision. On the basis of spin dimer analysis, we examined the spin exchange interactions of (VO)(2)P(2)O(7) and its precursor VO(HPO(4)).0.5H(2)O. Our analysis of (VO)(2)P(2)O(7) using two high-precision crystal structures shows unambiguously that the V3-V4 chain has a larger spin gap than does the V1-V2 chain and that the super-superexchange (V-O...O-V) interaction is stronger than the superexchange (V-O-V) interaction in the V3-V4 chain while the opposite is true in the V1-V2 chain. Our analysis of VO(HPO(4)).0.5H(2)O reveals that the superexchange interaction must dominate over the super-superexchange interaction, in disagreement with the conclusion from a powder neutron scattering study of VO(DPO(4)).0.5D(2)O.     

Density functional analysis of the spin exchange interactions and charge order patterns in the layered magnetic oxides YBaM2O5 (M = Mn, Fe, Co)

The spin and charge order phenomena of the layered magnetic oxides YBaM(2)O(5) (M = Mn, Fe, Co) were analyzed on the basis of density functional calculations. We evaluated the spin exchange interactions of YBaM(2)O(5) by performing energy-mapping analysis based on density functional calculations to find why they undergo a three-dimensional magnetic ordering at high temperature. We estimated the relative stabilities of the checkerboard and stripe charge order patterns of YBaM(2)O(5) (M = Mn, Fe, Co) by optimizing their structures with density functional calculations to probe if the nature of the charge order pattern depends on whether their transition-metal ions are Jahn-Teller active.     

Promoting Li(2)O(2) oxidation by an La(1.7)Ca(0.3)Ni(0.75)Cu(0.25)O(4) layered perovskite in lithium-oxygen batteries

We demonstrate for the first time that La(1.7)Ca(0.3)Ni(0.75)Cu(0.25)O(4) with a layered perovskite structure promotes electrochemical oxidation of Li(2)O(2) in lithium-oxygen batteries with a non-aqueous aprotic electrolyte.     

Importance of supersuperexchange interactions in determining the dimensionality of magnetic properties. Determination of strongly interacting spin exchange paths in A(2)Cu(PO(4))(2) (A = Ba, Sr), ACuP(2)O(7) (Ba, Ca, Sr, Pb), CaCuGe(2)O(6), and Cu(2)UO(2)(PO(4))(2) on the basis of qualitative spin dimer analysis

The patterns of the Cu(2+) ion arrangements in the magnetic oxides A(2)Cu(PO(4))(2) (A = Ba, Sr), ACuP(2)O(7) (Ba, Ca, Sr, Pb), CaCuGe(2)O(6), and Cu(2)UO(2)(PO(4))(2) are quite different from the patterns of the strongly interacting spin exchange paths deduced from their magnetic properties. This apparently puzzling observation was explained by evaluating the strengths of the Cu-O-Cu superexchange and Cu-O...O-Cu supersuperexchange interactions of these oxides on the basis of qualitative spin dimer analysis. Supersuperexchange interactions are found to be crucial in determining the dimensionality of magnetic properties of these magnetic oxides.     

Effect of metal-ligand bond lengths on superexchange interactions in Jahn-Teller d(4) ion systems: spin dimer analysis of the magnetic structure of marokite CaMn(2)O(4)

In marokite CaMn(2)O(4), all six Mn-O bonds of each MnO(6) octahedron are different because of the Jahn-Teller distortion so that every Mn(3+) (d(4)) ion has six different superexchange interactions with its neighboring Mn(3+) ions. The spin exchange interactions of CaMn(2)O(4) were examined on the basis of spin dimer analysis to find what geometrical parameters of the Mn-O-Mn superexchange paths control the signs and strengths of their spin exchange interactions. Our work correctly describes the magnetic structure of CaMn(2)O(4) observed from neutron powder diffraction measurements and shows that the antiferromagnetic interactions of the Mn-O-Mn paths depend primarily on the asymmetry and the Mn-O bond length of the Mn-O-Mn bridge, but not on the 90 degree angle Mn-O-Mn bond angle.     

In-depth compositional analysis of ceramic (Bi2O3)0.75(Er2O3)0.25 by AES and XPS

The chemical composition of dense ceramics of erbia-stabilized -Bi₂O₃ was analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) depth profiling using Ar⁺ ion sputtering. The relative sensitivity factors (rsf) and sputter rates of bismuth and erbium in this material have been determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and chemical analysis. These results, supplemented by data from angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS), shows a bismuth enrichment at the surface. Evidence has been found for reduction of the bismuth-oxide at the outermost part of the surface layer.Dedicated to Professor Günther Tölg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Heterobimetallic Clusters of Copper(I) with Trithiotungstate and Trithiomolybdate. Synthesis and Characterization of the Octanuclear Clusters [Et(4)N](4)[M(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)] (M = Mo, W) and the Dodecanuclear Clusters [M(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)(CuTMEN)(4)] (M = Mo, W; TMEN = N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylenediamine)

Synthetic methods for [Et(4)N](4)[W(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)] (1), [Et(4)N](4)[Mo(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)] (2), [W(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)(CuTMEN)(4)] (3), and [Mo(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)(CuTMEN)(4)] (4) are described. [Et(4)N](2)[MS(4)], [Et(4)N](2)[MS(2)O(2)], Cu(NO(3))(2).3H(2)O, and KBH(4) (or Et(4)NBH(4)) were used as starting materials for the synthesis of 1 and 2. Compounds 3 and 4 were produced by reaction of [Et(4)N](2)[WOS(3)], Cu(NO(3))(2).3H(2)O, and TMEN and by reaction of [Me(4)N](2)[MO(2)O(2)S(8)], Cu(NO(3))(2).3H(2)O, and TMEN, respectively. Crystal structures of compounds 1-4 were determined. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 14.264(5) ?, b = 32.833(8) ?, c = 14.480(3) ?, beta = 118.66(2) degrees, V = 5950.8(5) ?(3), and Z = 4 for 1 and a = 14.288(5) ?, b = 32.937(10) ?, c = 14.490(3) ?, beta = 118.75(2) degrees, V = 5978.4(7) ?(3), and Z = 4 for 2. Compounds 3 and 4 crystallized in the trigonal space group P3(2)21 with a = 13.836(6) ?, c = 29.81(1) ?, V = 4942(4) ?(3), and Z = 3 for 3 and a = 13.756(9) ?, c = 29.80(2) ?, V = 4885(6) ?(3), and Z = 3 for 4. The cluster cores have approximate C(2v) symmetry. The anions of 1 and 2 may be viewed as consisting of two butterfly-type [CuMOS(3)Cu] fragments bridged by two [MOS(3)](2-) groups. Eight metal atoms in the anions are arranged in an approximate square configuration, with a Cu(4)M(4)S(12) ring structure. Compounds 3 and 4 can be considered to consist of one [M(4)Cu(4)S(12)O(4)](4-) (the anions of 1 and 2) unit capped by Cu(TMEN)(+) groups on each M atom; the Cu(TMEN)(+) groups extend alternately up and down around the Cu(4)M(4) square. The electronic spectra of the compounds are dominated by the internal transitions of the [MOS(3)](2-) moiety. (95)Mo NMR spectral data are investigated and compared with those of other compounds.     

On the relevance of an antiferromagnetic dimer model for the spin-gapped magnetic solids Cu(terpy)Mo2O7 and Cu(OH)(p-pyc)H2O

The magnetic solids Cu(terpy)Mo2O7 (terpy = terpyridine) and Cu(OH)(p-pyc)H2O (p-pyc = p-pyridinecarboxylate) have a spin gap and possess chains of Cu2+ ions in which two different Cu...Cu distances alternate. On the basis of their reported crystal structures, the spin-exchange interactions of these compounds were examined by performing spin dimer analysis to determine whether an antiferromagnetic dimer or an alternating antiferromagnetic chain model is appropriate for their magnetic properties. Our analysis shows that an antiferromagnetic dimer model is correct for both compounds because of the anisotropic overlap between the magnetic orbitals of their Cu2+ sites.     

On the crystal chemistry of three copper(II)-arsenates: Cu3(AsO4)2-III,Na4Cu(AsO4)2, and KCu4(AsO4)3

The three copper(II)-arsenates were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions; their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods:Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III:a=5.046(2) Å,b=5.417(2) Å,c=6.354(2) Å, =70.61(2)°, =86.52(2)°, =68.43(2)°,Z=1, space group ,R=0.035 for 1674 reflections with sin / 0.90 Å^–1.Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂:a=4.882(2) Å,b=5.870(2) Å,c=6.958(3) Å, =98.51(2)°, =90.76(2)°, =105.97(2)°,Z=1, space group ,R=0.028 for 2157 reflections with sin / 0.90 Å^–1.KCu₄(AsO₄)₃:a=12.234(5) Å,b=12.438(5) Å,c=7.307(3) Å, =118.17(2)°,Z=4, space group C2/c,R=0.029 for 1896 reflections with sin / 0.80 Å^–1.Within these three compounds the Cu atoms are square planar [4], tetragonal pyramidal [4+1], and tetragonal bipyramidal [4+2] coordinated by O atoms; an exception is the Cu(2)^[4+1] atom in Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III: the coordination polyhedron is a representative for the transition from a tetragonal pyramid towards a trigonal bipyramid. In KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ the Cu(1)^[4]O₄ square and the As(1)O₄ tetrahedron share a common O—O edge of 2.428(5) Å, resulting in distortions of both the CuO₄ square and the AsO₄ tetrahedron. The two Na atoms in Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂ are [6] coordinated, the K atom in KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ is [8] coordinated by O atoms.Die drei Kupfer(II)-Arsenate wurden unter Hydrothermalbedingungen gezüchtet und ihre Kristallstrukturen mittels Einkristall-Röntgenbeugungsmethoden ermittelt:Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III:a = 5.046(2) Å,b = 5.417(2) Å,c = 6.354(2) Å, = 70.61 (2)°, = 86.52(2)°, = 68.43(2)°,Z = 1, Raumgruppe ,R = 0.035 für 1674 Reflexe mit sin / 0.90 Å^–1.Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂:a = 4.882(2) Å,b = 5.870(2) Å,c = 6.958(3) Å, = 98.51(2)°, = 90.76(2)°, = 105.97(2)°,Z = 1, Raumgruppe ,R = 0.028 für 2157 Reflexe mit sin / 0.90 Å^–1.KCu₄(AsO₄)₃:a = 12.234(5) Å,b = 12.438(5) Å,c = 7.307(3) Å, = 118.17(2)°,Z = 4, Raumgruppe C2/c,R = 0.029 für 1896 Reflexe mit sin / 0.80 Å^–1.Die Cu-Atome in diesen drei Verbindungen sind durch O-Atome quadratisch planar [4], tetragonal pyramidal [4 + 1] und tetragonal dipyramidal [4 + 2]-koordiniert; eine Ausnahme ist das Cu(2)^{[4 + 1]}-Atom in Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III: Das Koordinationspolyeder stellt einen Vertreter des Übergangs von einer tetragonalen Pyramide zu einer trigonalen Dipyramide dar. In KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ haben das Cu(1)^[4]O₄-Quadrat und das As(1)O₄-Tetraeder eine gemeinsame O—O-Kante von 2.428(5) Å, was eine Verzerrung der beiden Koordinationsfiguren CuO₄-Quadrat und AsO₄-Tetraeder bedingt. Die zwei Na-Atome in Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₃ sind durch O-Atome [6]-koordiniert, das K-Atom in KCu₄(AsO₄)₃ ist [8]-koordiniert.

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Zur Kristallchemie dreier Kupfer (II)-Arsenate: Cu₃(AsO₄)₂-III, Na₄Cu(AsO₄)₂ und KCu₄(AsO₄)₃

     

Spin dimer and classical spin analyses of the ordered magnetic structures of alkali iron pyrophosphates NaFeP(2)O(7) and LiFeP(2)O(7)

The magnetic oxides NaFeP(2)O(7) and LiFeP(2)O(7), made up of FeO(6) octahedra containing high-spin Fe(3+)(d(5)) ions, undergo a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures. The strengths of various Fe-O...O-Fe super-superexchange interactions of NaFeP(2)O(7) and LiFeP(2)O(7) were estimated on the basis of spin dimer analysis to probe the nature of their ordered magnetic structures. It is found that the critical factor governing the strength of a Fe-O...O-Fe super-superexchange interaction is not the Fe...Fe distance but the O...O distance. Using the spin exchange parameters thus obtained, the total spin exchange interaction energies were calculated for various ordered spin arrangements of NaFeP(2)O(7) and LiFeP(2)O(7) on the basis of classical spin analysis to confirm that the observed magnetic structures are the magnetic ground states.     

Structural and surface analysis of unsupported and alumina-supported La(Mn,Fe,Mo)O3 perovskite oxides

A series of bulk and Al₂O₃-supported perovskite oxides of the type LaMn_1???x???y Fe _x Mo _y O₃ (x?=?0.00?0.90 and y?=?0.00–0.09) were synthesized by the citric acid complexation–gelation method followed by annealing in air at 800 °C. For all samples, the local environment and the chemical state and concentration of surface species were determined. Mössbauer spectra revealed the only presence of octahedral Fe³⁺ ions dispersed in the perovskite structure, however well-crystallized together with a poorly crystalline LaFeO₃ phases were detected for larger substitutions (x?=?0.90). A similar picture was obtained for Mo-loaded (y?=?0.02 and 0.05) samples but a new phase most likely related to Fe³⁺ ions dispersed aside from the perovskite structure was found for larger substitutions (y?=?0.09). Together with these structures, supported samples showed the presence of LaFeO₃ nanoparticles. Finally, photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the chemical state and composition of the samples in the surface region (2–3 nm) approaches that of the bulk. For the unsupported substituted samples, iron (and molybdenum) enters into the perovskite structure while manganese tends to be slightly segregated. Moreover, in supported perovskites, a fraction of Mo and La atoms interact with the alumina surface. All these oxides were active in methane combustion and best performance was recorded for the Fe-rich composition (x?=?0.9) in which both Mn³⁺ and Mo³⁺ ions were in the same proportion (y?=?0.05).     

Unusual effects of anisotropic bonding in Cu(II) and Ni(II) oxides with K2NiF4 structure

Geometric constraints present in A₂BO₄ compounds with the tetragonal-T structure of K₂NiF₄ impose a strong pressure on the BO_IIB bonds and a stretching of the AO_IA bonds in the basal planes if the tolerance factor is $\text{t ?}\text{R}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>AO</mtext>}}\text{√2 R}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>BO</mtext>}}\text{< 1}$, where R_AO and R_BO are the sums of the AO and BO ionic radii. The tetragonal-T phase of La₂NiO₄ becomes monoclinic for Pr₂NiO₄, orthorhombic for La₂CuO₄, and tetragonal-T′ for Pr₂CuO₄. The atomic displacements in these distorted phases are discussed and rationalized in terms of the chemistry of the various compounds. The strong pressure on the BO_IIB bonds produces itinerant bands and a relative stabilization of localized d_z² orbitals. Magnetic susceptibility and transport data reveal an intersection of the Fermi energy with the d²_z² levels for half the copper ions in La₂CuO₄; this intersection is responsible for an intrinsic localized moment associated with a configuration fluctuation; below 200 K the localized moment smoothly vanishes with decreasing temperature as the d²_z² level becomes filled. In La₂NiO₄, the localized moments for half-filled d_z² orbitals induce strong correlations among the electrons above $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}\text{? 200}\text{K}$; at lower temperatures the electrons appear to contribute nothing to the magnetic susceptibility, which obeys a Curie-Weiss law giving a μ_eff corresponding to $\text{S =}\text{1}\text{2}$, but shows no magnetic order to lowest temperatures. These surprising results are verified by comparison with the mixed systems La₂Ni_1?xCu_xO₄ and La_2?2xSr_2xNi_1?xTi_xO₄. The onset of a charge-density wave below 200 K is proposed for both La₂CuO₄ and La₂NiO₄, but the atomic displacements would be short-range cooperative in mixed systems. The semiconductor-metallic transitions observed in several systems are found in many cases to obey the relation $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{? kT}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>min</mtext>}}$, where $\text{? = ?}{}_0\text{exp}\text{(}\text{?E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{kT}\text{)}$ and T_min is the temperature of minimum resistivity ?. This relation is interpreted in terms of a diffusive charge-carrier mobility with $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{? ΔH}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}\text{? kT}$ at T = T_min.     

Magnetic polyoxometalates: anisotropic exchange interactions in the moiety of [(NaOH2)Co3(H2O)(P2W15O56)2]17-

The magnetic exchange interactions in a C0(3)(11) moiety encapsulated in Na(17) [(NaOH(2))Co(3)(H(2)O)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)] (NaCo(3)) were studied by a combination of magnetic measurements (magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature magnetization), with a detailed Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) investigation. The novel structure of the salt was determined by X-ray crystallography. The ferromagnetic Co(3)O(14) triangular cluster core consists of three octahedrally oxo-coordinated Co(II) ions sharing edges. According to the single-ion anisotropy and spin-orbit coupling usually assumed for octahedral Co(II) ions, the appropiate exchange Hamiltonian to describe the ground-state properties of the isosceles triangular Co(3) spin cluster is anisotropic and is expressed as H = - 2sigma(alpha)(=)(x,y,z)(J(alpha)(12)S(1alpha)S(2alpha) + J(alpha)(23)S(2alpha)S(3alpha) + J(alpha)(13)S(1alpha)S(3alpha)), where J(alpha) are the components of the exchange interactions between the Co(II) ions. To reproduce the INS data, nonparallel anisotropic exchange tensors needed to be introduced, which were directly connected to the molecular symmetry of the complex. The following range of parameters (value +/- 0.5 cm(-1)) was found to reproduce all experimental information while taking magnetostructural relations into account: J(x)(12) = J(y)(13) = 8.6 cm(-1); J(y)(12) = J(x)(13) = 1.4 cm(-1); J(z)(12) = J(z)(13) = 10.0 cm(-1); J(x)(23) = J(y)(23) = 6.5 cm(-1) and = 3.4 cm(-1).     

Molecular Precursor Role in the Synthesis of ZrMVI2O8, MVI = Mo,W: Isolation and Properties of Zr3Mo8O24(OiPr)12(iPrOH)4

The studies of zirconium isopropoxide solvate, Zr(OiPr)4·iPrOH(I), interaction with molybdenum oxoisopropoxide in different solvents (HOiPr, hexane) revealed I to be the only isolable crystalline product in alcohol. In hexane I crystallized from Zr-rich solutions (up to Zr : Mo = 1 : 2 ratio). From the solutions with Zr : Mo = 1 : 2 ratio repeatedly dried in vacuo and subsequently redissolved in hexane, the crystallization of Zr3Mo8O24(OiPr)12(iPrOH)4(II) occurred slowly with 12% yield. II can be recrystallized from hexane, but is destroyed by iPrOH which causes the formation of I. Thermal decomposition of II in air at 800°C (2 h) gives a single phase ZrMo2O8(III). Hydrolysis studies of hexane solutions, prepared in a manner analogous to those, from which II was obtained, showed that single-phase samples of III could be obtained when a thin layer of solution was left for hydrolysis and evaporation of solvent in a moist air and then annealed at 800°C (2 h). The same kind annealing of a xerogel, obtained by hydrolysis with water solutions in iPrOH and subsequent drying at 100°C gave a complex mixture of phases where III was not even the major component. No Zr-W complex was isolable under analogous conditions. From the xerogel, obtained by hydrolysis with H2O/iPrOH, ZrO2 and WO3 crystallized separately on heating. Only traces of ZrW2O8(IV) were obtained along with individual oxides when 1% water in ether was applied for hydrolysis. Molecular precursor is therefore crucial for obtaining III, IV.