Spin-Projected EHF equations

Extended Hartree-Fock (EHF ) equations are developed for the general open-shell case using a modified pair-orthogonality-constrained variation (POCV ) method. The EHF energy is expressed in terms of corresponding orbitals that are required to remain orthogonal and paired for all arbitrary infinitesimal variations. The Euler equations for each set of orbitals are reduced to unique pseudosecular equations, the LCAO form of which may easily be derived. The Euler equations and the expressions obtained for the off-diagonal elements of the ?^γδ (γ, δ = a or b) matrices for the closed-shell case are identical to those obtained by Mayer, who used the generalized Brillouin theorem method. However, the present method yields equations for both closed- and open-shell cases and for any spin state.     

Boundary effect on the adsorption properties of H2 on charged MgCaHb complex

In this article, the equilibrium structure, binding energy, and electronic structure for charged Mg coated C_aH_b (a = 6, b = 6; a = 14, b = 10; a = 22, b = 14; a = 24, b = 14; a = 54, b = 18) are investigated by using all electrons density‐functional calculations. The boundary effect for the adsorption property of H₂ on charged MgC_aH_b complex is investigated by using several structures based on benzene ring molecules. A method for calculating the pathways for the synthesis of MgC_aH_bⁿ⁺ is presented here, and also the kinetic stability of these charged hydrogen‐covered MgC_aH_bⁿ⁺ complexes is also discussed. We find that the Mg doped complex with appropriate charge can enhance adsorption of hydrogen molecular. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Palladium(II)-Based Self-Assembled Heteroleptic Coordination Architectures: A Growing Family

Metal-driven self-assembly is one of the most effective approaches to lucidly design a large range of discrete 2D and 3D coordination architectures/complexes. Palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination architectures are usually prepared by using suitable metal components, in either a partially protected form (PdL′) or typical form (Pd; charges are not shown), and designed ligand components. The self-assembled molecules prepared by using a metal component and only one type of bi- or polydentate ligand (L) can be classified in the homoleptic series of complexes. On the other hand, the less explored heteroleptic series of complexes are obtained by using a metal component and at least two different types of non-chelating bi- or polydentate ligands (such as L^a and L^b). Methods that allow the controlled generation of single, discrete heteroleptic complexes are less understood. A survey of palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination cages that are heteroleptic has been made. This review article illustrates a systematic collection of such architectures and credible justification of their formation, along with reported functional aspects of the complexes. The collected heteroleptic assemblies are classified here into three sections: 1) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal; 2) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is different; and 3) [Pd_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal. Representative examples of some important homoleptic architectures are also provided, wherever possible, to set a background for a better understanding of the related heteroleptic versions. The purpose of this review is to pave the way for the construction of several unique heteroleptic coordination assemblies that might exhibit emergent supramolecular functions.     

THE PHOTOEXCITED TRIPLET STATE OF TETRAPHENYL CHLORIN, MAGNESIUM TETRAPHENYL PORPHYRIN AND WHOLE CELLS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDI. A LIGHT MODULATION-EPR STUDY

Abstract— The photoexcited triplet states of frozen solutions of tetraphenyl chlorin (TPC), magnesium tetraphenyl porphyrin (MgTPP) and whole cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardi have been studied by light modulation-EPR spectroscopy. The porphyrins were chosen to be studied as model compounds for chlorophyll molecules, From EPR spectra the zero field splitting parameters (ZFS) were calculated. For TPC, |D| = 0.0364 ± 0.0002 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0063 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For MgTPP, |D| = 0.0310 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For chloroplasts, |D| = 0.0280 ± 0.0004 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0032 ± 0.0004 cm^-1. In all compounds studied, except MgTPP, electron spin polarization (ESP) was observed. From the analysis of the kinetic curves at each canonical orientation we evaluated the spin lattice relaxation rate W, the depopulation rate constants k_p, and the ratio between the population rate constants, A_p, at zero magnetic field. For TPC in ethanol-toluene (5:1) k_x= (0.70 ± 0.10) × 10³ s^-1, k_y= (0.40 ± 0.07) × 10³ s^-1, k_x= (0.24 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A_x:A_y:A_z? 1.0:0.6:0.4; W= (2.60 ± 0.40) × 10³ s^-1. For MgTPP, only the total decay rate constant, k_T, was calculated: (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10 s^-1 in n-octane and (4.8 ± 0.8) × 10 s^-1 in ethanol. The results for TPC and MgTPP are compared to those reported previously for chlorophyll. It is concluded that the dynamics of the photoexcited triplet state in chlorophylls are mainly governed by the chlorin macrocycle. From the EPR spectrum and ZFS parameters of chloroplasts, we propose that both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the main constituents of the EPR spectrum. From the analysis of the kinetic curves we obtain separately the kinetic parameters for chlorophylls a and b, k^a_x= (1.30 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1, k^a_y;= (0.85 ± 0.15) × 10³ s^-1k^a_x= (0.32 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A^a_x:A^a_y:A^a_z? 1.0:0.7:0.2; W^a= (1.20 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1; k^b_x= (0.56 ± 0.09) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_y= (0.30 ± 0.04) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_z= (0.06 ± 0.01) × 10³ s^-1; A^b_x:A^b_y:A^b_x? 1.0:0.6:0.1; W^b= (5.00 ± 0.80) × 10³ s^-1. These results are very close to those found separately for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b oligomers in vitro.     

Constant time interval method for analysis of reaction rate data

In the study of chemical kinetics, many integrated reaction rate equations have the form In [f(A) + a] = bt + c, where a, b, and c are constants and f(A) is some function of the concentration of a reactant (or product) which can be calculated from the data. The left-hand side of this equation cannot be graphed versus time if the constant a is unknown. However, it is shown that f(A2) varies linearly with f(A₁) if A₂ is the concentration of reactant measured at a constant time interval later than A₁. The constants a and b can be determined from the linear graph. A number of specific examples are considered.     

Über röntgenographische Einkristalluntersuchungen an Na2FeAlF7, Na2MIIGaF7 (MII = Ni,Zn) und Na2ZnFeF7 und die Strukturchemie der Weberite

On X-Ray Single Crystal Studies of Na₂FeAlF₇, Na₂M^IIGaF₇ (M^II = Ni, Zn), and Na₂ZnFeF₇ and the Structural Chemistry of Weberites At single crystals of the orthorhombic weberite Na₂NiGaF₇ (a = 716.1, b = 1021.6, c = 740.9 pm; Imma, Z = 4) and of the monoclinic variants (C2/c, Z = 16) Na₂FeAlF₇ (a = 1242.6, b = 727.8, c = 2420.6 pm, β = 99.99°), Na₂ZnGaF₇ (a = 1251.9, b = 730.3, c = 2435.3 pm, β = 99.74°) and Na₂ZnFeF₇ (a = 1261.0, b = 7.359, c = 2453.8 pm, β = 99.70°) complete X-ray structure determinations were performed. The results and the influence of radii on the bridge angles M^II–F–M^II and M^II–F–M^III are discussed in connection with general features within the structural chemistry of 28 weberites.     

Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation expansions for a hydrogen atom in a polynomial perturbation

Rayleigh–Schrouml;dinger (RS ) perturbation expansions for the eigenvalues E(λ) of a hydrogen atom in the general polynomial perturbation V(r) = aλr + b>²r², a, b > 0, are studied. When a² = 2b, the ground state energy is exactly E(λ) = -(1/2) + (3/2)a>, i.e., the RS series is truncated. In the case a² > 2b, the RS series is negative Stieltjes. In general, when λ < 0, a well of depth ω ≈ -a²/(4b²) (note the λ independence) is situated at r_ω = a/(2b|λ|). When a² > 2b/N², and interaction between this well and the hydrogenic state ψ_NLM(λ) is possible, thus creating a pair of asymptotically degenerate eigenstates separated by a “gap” δE(λ). The large order behavior of the RS coefficients E may be computed from the asymptotics of δE(λ), which is, in turn, related to the tunnelling integral. For excited states, stricter inequalities must be obeyed for Stieltjes behavior. The E⁽ⁿ⁾_NLM may be calculated either numerically or in closed form via the “so(4, 2) Lie algebra technology” for such hydrogenic problems.     

Structure of [C3H5O]+ ions produced from unimolecular decomposition of several [C4H8O]+˙ metastable ions

It is demonstrated by means of collisionally activated decomposition (CAD) that [C₃H₅O]⁺ originating from metastable [C₄H₈O]^+˙ ions are either acylium [C₂H₅CO]⁺ (a) or hydroxycarbenium [CH₂CHCHOH]⁺ (b). Butanone gives exclusively a but 2-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-buten-1-ol, 3-buten-1-ol, butanal and 2-methylpropanal lead to ion b. Both structures a and b are produced from 3-buten-2-ol. These results are discussed in conjunction with experimental and calculated (MINDO/3) thermodynamic data.     

Isotype Borophosphate MII(C2H10N2)[B2P3O12(OH)] (MII = Mg,Mn, Fe,Ni, Cu,Zn): Verbindungen mit Tetraeder‐Schichtverbänden

Isotypic Borophosphates M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn): Compounds containing Tetrahedral Layers The isotypic compounds M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂) · [B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) were prepared under hydrothermal conditions (T = 170 °C) from mixtures of the metal chloride (chloride hydrate, resp.), Ethylenediamine, H₃BO₃ and H₃PO₄. The orthorhombic crystal structures (Pbca, No. 61, Z = 8) were determined by X‐ray single crystal methods (Mg(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)]: a = 936.81(2) pm, b = 1221.86(3) pm, c = 2089.28(5) pm) and Rietveld‐methods (M^II = Mn: a = 931.91(4) pm, b = 1234.26(4) pm, c = 2129.75(7) pm, Fe: a = 935.1(3) pm, b = 1224.8(3) pm, c = 2088.0(6) pm, Ni: a = 939.99(3) pm, b = 1221.29(3) pm, c = 2074.05(7) pm, Cu: a = 941.38(3) pm, b = 1198.02(3) pm, c = 2110.01(6) pm, Zn: a = 935.06(2) pm, b = 1221.33(2) pm, c = 2094.39(4) pm), respectively. The anionic part of the structure contains tetrahedral layers, consisting of three‐ and nine‐membered rings. The M^II‐ions are in a distorted octahedral or tetragonal‐bipyramidal [4 + 2] (copper) coordination formed by oxygen functions of the tetrahedral layers. The resulting three‐dimensional structure contains channels running along [010]. Protonated Ethylenediamine ions are fixed within the channels by hydrogen bonds.     

Intensities of spin-forbidden transitions in molecular oxygen and selective heavy-atom effects

Intensities of a¹Δg←X ³∑_g^? and b ¹∑_g⁺ ← X ³∑_g^? transitions in molecular oxygen have been calculated on the basis of the INDO method taking into account spin-orbit coupling by perturbation theory. The transitions are magnetic dipole in nature. The first of them (a ? X) steals its intensity from ³Π_g-³∑_g^? and ¹Π_g-¹Δ_g transitions, which are determined by the orbital angular-momentum operator. This source is not the principal one for the intensity of the second (b-X) transition. Its intensity is stolen principally from microwave transitions between spin sublevels of the ground ³∑_g^? state. The last source explains the large difference in intensities of the a-X and b-X transitions. Calculated oscillator strengths are in a good agreement with experiment. The same integrals that determine the intensity also determine the parameters of the spin Hamiltonian for the ground ³∑_g^? state. These parameters are in a good agreement with experiment also, showing the validity of the whole calculation. In a condensed phase the investigated transitions are enhanced by intermolecular exchange interaction. It is known that an external heavy atom (EHA ) enhances the b-X transition of oxygen in solution, but does not influence the a-X transition. In the collision complex O₂-EHA , which has a geometry without inversion symmetry, the microwave transitions between spin sublevels of the “³∑_g^?” state obtain electric-dipole moments, which are stolen from the charge-transfer transition. This mechanism explains the selective effect of EHA .     

The Henicosaphosphide Iodides of Potassium and Rubidium,K4P21I and Rb4P21I

The novel ternary polyphosphides M₄P₂₁I (M = K, Rb) have been synthesized from the elements in single crystalline form, representing further examples for the formation of mixed crystals between simple salts and binary phosphides. They form as ruby‐red platelets and dark‐red prisms, respectively, and are only slightly sensitive to moisture and oxygen. The compounds are isotypic (Ccmm (no 63); Z = 4; oP104; K₄P₂₁I: a = 12.853Å; b = 21.795Å; c = 9.748Å; 1168 hkl, R = 0.033; Rb₄P₂₁I: a = 13.281Å; b = 21.868Å; c = 9.771Å; 777 hkl, R = 0.053) and feature corrugated 2D networks formed from two different types of polymerized P₇ units. The networks form large cavities filled by M⁺ and I^‐ ions. Zigzag chains of condensed trigonal M₆ prisms, centered by the I^‐ anions, separate the polyphosphide nets. The mean homoatomic P‐P bond length (d = 2.216Å) corresponds to a P‐P single bond. However, the individual P‐P distances vary with position and function (2.126 ‐ 2.247Å) and these are compared with those of the isolated P₂₁^‐3 anion.     

Lateral thermal expansion of chitin crystals

Measurements of the thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of chitin crystals in the lateral direction are reported. We investigated highly crystalline α chitin from the Paralithodes tendon and an anhydrous form of β chitin from a Lamellibrachia tube from room temperature to 250 °C, using X‐ray diffraction at selected temperatures in the heating process. For α chitin, the TECs of the a and b axes were α_a = 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹ and α_b = 5.7 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹, indicating an isotropic thermal expansion in the lateral direction. However, the anhydrous β chitin exhibited an anisotropic thermal expansion in the lateral direction. The TEC of the a axis was constant at α_a = 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹, but the TEC of the b axis increased linearly from room temperature to 250 °C, with α_b = 3.0–14.6 × 10⁻⁵ °C⁻¹. These differences in the lateral thermal expansion behaviors of the α chitin and the anhydrous β chitin are due to their different intermolecular hydrogen bonding systems. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 168–174, 2001     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties of Three New Iron Complexes Derived from 3,5‐Bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole

Two new iron(III) complexes and one iron(II) complex have been synthesized from the solvothermal reactions of FeCl₃·6H₂O with 3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (Hbpt) in methanol or acetonitrile. KSCN acted as the reducing agent in the synthesis of iron(II) complex of 3 . [FeCl₃(Hbpt)(H₂O)]·H₂O ( 1 ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a = 7.475(1), b = 9.468(2), c = 12.309(2) Å, α = 73.880(2), β = 74.746(2), γ = 81.849(2)°, V = 805.2(2) ų, Z = 2. [Fe₂(bpt)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ): orthorhombic space group Pnnm with a = 9.895(2), b = 10.632(2), c = 13.195(2) Å, V = 1388.1(4) ų, Z = 2. [Fe₂(bpt)₂(MeOH)₂Cl₂] ( 3 ): orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 14.4204(16), b = 9.8737(11), c = 19.792(2) Å, V = 2818.1(5) ų, Z = 4. 1 features the first structurally characterized metal complex of the neutral Hbpt ligand in which the Hbpt ligand adopts an unprecedented zwitterionic form. 2 shows a neutral dinuclear iron(III) complex and the [Fe₂(bpt)₂]⁴⁺ unit is ideally planar. The two iron(III) ions separated by a distance of 4.408(2) Å are doubly triazolate‐bridged. Each dimeric unit is connected with six other dimeric ones via the bifurcated C‐H···Cl hydrogen bonds, these connections extend the dimeric moieties into a three‐dimensional molecular architecture. 3 is a neutral centrosymmetric dinuclear Fe^II complex, in which intermolecular moderate O‐H···N hydrogen bonding interactions between the methanol molecules and 4‐position nitrogen atoms of the triazolato groups extend the dinuclear species into a two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture of (4,4) topology. Magnetic studies indicate there exists an antiferromagnetic spin coupling in Fe^III₂ and Fe^II₂ units via the double triazolate bridges in 2 and 3 .     

THE CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF Ru3(CO)9(PPh3)3

Abstract

The synthesis of tertiary phosphine and phosphite substituted derivatives of M₃(CO)₁₂ {M = Ru(1a) Os(1b)} is discussed and the X-ray crystal and molecular structure of the tris-triphenylphosphine substituted ruthenium cluster Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₃)₃ (2a) is reported. Complex 2a crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with cell parameters a = 14.180(9), b = 21.644(14), c = 18.248(10) Å, β = 92.52(5)°, V = 5595(6) Å ³, Z = 4. The structure was solved by full-matrix least-squares methods based on F ². The refinement converged at R1 = 0.0564, wR2 = 0.2125 for 4857 observed data [F > 4σ(F)].     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [TeI3][GaI4] and [TeI3][InI4]

The compounds [TeI₃][MI₄] (M = Ga, In) were obtained as air sensitive black crystals by the reactions of Te, I₂ and Ga or In in vacuum sealed ampoules. The gallium compound crystallizes in the structural type of [SCl₃][AlCl₄]: monoclinic system, space group Pc (No. 7), a = 7.211(11), b = 7.2340(9), c = 15.67(2) Å and β = 102.51(6)°. The indium derivative crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ (No. 33), a = 14.752(2), b = 7.1915(6) and c = 23.391(5) Å, with two crystallographically independent formula units per asymmetric unit. The structures consist of tetrahedral GaI₄^– or InI₄^– and trigonal pyramidal TeI₃⁺ units. Additionally, in both structures the tellurium atoms establish three weak interactions with iodine atoms of the MI₄^– units to form a distorted octahedral Te_{3 + 3} coordination sphere.     

Application of an optimization technique to the discretized version of the Griffin–Hill–Wheeler–Hartree–Fock equations

Application of the SIMPLEX optimization method to define the mesh of the discretized version of the Griffin–Hill–Wheeler–Hartree–Fock (GHWHF ) equations was studied. Improved discretization parameters with respect to the original method were obtained for atomic systems with two or four electrons and for the H₂ molecule. For the atomic systems, the following correlations between the discretization parameters and the total energy were found: N = a · In(ΔE) + b; Ω₀ = a′ · In(ΔΩ) + a″; and In(ΔΩ) = b′ · ln(N) + b″. These equations provide a systematic procedure to reach a desired degree of accuracy in the energy for the atomic systems studied as well as to fix the basis set to be employed. These equations are similar to those found earlier for eventempered basis sets and permit the establishment of a relationship between the two methods. The even-tempered method is also an approximate solution of the GHWHF equations. The optimized integral discretized basis is more efficient in representing small basis sets for atoms and the basis for the hydrogen molecule in comparison to the even-tempered one. The optimization procedure was successfully applied to generate the universal basis for the atomic systems studied.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of [Mn(hdpa)2(N(CN)2)2] and [Co(hdpa)2(N(CN)2)2] (hdpa = 2, 2'‐Dipyridylamine)

Two new transition metal(II) complexes [M(hdpa)₂(N(CN)₂)₂] (M = Mn ( 1 ), Co ( 2 ); hdpa = 2, 2'‐dipyridylamine) have been prepared and characterized structurally and magnetically. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c. 1 and 2 are isotypic with the unit cell parameters a = 8.634(9), b = 13.541(14), c = 21.99(2) Å, β = 94.806(18)°, and V = 2562(5) ų for 1 , a = 8.617(3) Å, b = 13.629(5)Å, c = 21.598(8)Å, β = 94.593(6)°, and V = 2528.4(15)ų for 2 , and Z = 4 for both. According to X‐ray crystallographic studies, each metal(II) ion was six‐coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from two bidentate hdpa ligand and two nitrogen atoms from two N(CN)^— anions to form slightly distorted octahedrons. Adjacent complex molecules are connected by hydrogen bonds or π···π interactions to form three‐dimensional network. The IR and UV spectroscopy were measured and the magnetic behaviors were investigated.     

Thermodynamic properties of some phosphate-carbohydrates and their strengths of bonds

ABSTRACT

The calculation of thermodynamic functions of condensed carbo- and phospha carbohydrates on the equation ΔΨ^o = i ± f (N - g), in which parameters i and f are the correlation coefficients, N is a general number of electrons in researched molecule, from which is subtracted a number (g) of lone electron pairs of heteroatoms, have been made. On the base of equations Δ_aH^o = Σ Δ_atomH^o_cond - Δ_fH^o_cond = ΣS_b (H_b) and R_i² = Σ{| Δ_aH^o_exp – Δ_aH^o_calc | g_i}², were firstly calculated the bond enthalpies of for condensed phosphatecarbohydrates: P = O 140.0, C-O-P 43.2, P-O-H 176.8, C-C(cycl) 77.8 kJ mol^?1.     

Highly Stable Radical Cations of N,N’-Diarylated Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene

N,N’-Diarylated tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulenes 3 a and 3 b were synthesized in good yields by a reaction sequence involving oxidation of tetrabenzodiazadithia[8]circulene 5-Oct and S_NAr reaction with aniline derivatives. The obtained aza[8]circulenes 3 a and 3 b were easily oxidized to give their radical cations 3 a⁺ and 3 b⁺ , which are highly stable under ambient conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis of radical cation 3 a⁺ showed a face-to-face dimer arrangement with an interplanar separation of 3.320 Å. The spin density of 3 a⁺ was calculated to be delocalized over the whole circulene π-systems with spin–spin exchange integral (J=−144 cm⁻¹) in the dimeric part. These radical cations displayed far red-shifted absorption bands reaching to 2000 nm. Thus this study has proved the hetero[8]circulene scaffold to be a new entry of promising electronics and spin materials.     

Die neuen Antimonide ZrNiSb und HfNiSb: Synthese,Struktur und Eigenschaften im Vergleich zu ZrCoSb und HfCoSb

The New Antimonides ZrNiSb and HfNiSb: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties in Comparison to ZrCoSb and HfCoSb The antimonides ZrNiSb and HfNiSb were prepared by arc-melting of stoichiometric mixtures of Zr, ZrSb₂ and Ni, and Hf, HfSb₂ and Ni, respectively. Unlike ZrCoSb and HfCoSb, which form the LiAlSi structure type, ZrNiSb and HfNiSb crystallize in the TiNiSi type. The lattice dimensions are a = 672.7(2) pm, b = 416.43(8) pm, c = 753.8(1) pm, V = 211.16(7) × 10⁶ pm³ for ZrNiSb and a = 662.3(5) pm, b = 413.3(3) pm, c = 746.8(8) pm, V = 204.4(3) × 10⁶ pm³ for HfNiSb (space group Pnma). Whereas no Zr–Zr contacts < 400 pm occur in the structure of ZrCoSb, Zr–Zr bonds are found in the structure of ZrNiSb. This difference is a consequence of the different numbers of valence electrons. The structural differences come along with a drastic change in the electronic structure and in the physical properties: ZrNiSb exhibits metallic behavior, in contrast to the not conducting ZrCoSb.