Lu2SiO5 by single‐crystal X‐ray and neutron diffraction

The structure of dilutetium silicon pentaoxide, Lu₂SiO₅, has isolated ionic SiO₄ tetrahedral units and non‐Si‐bonded O atoms in distorted OLu₄ tetrahedra. The OLu₄ tetrahedra form edge‐sharing infinite chains and double O₂Lu₆ tetrahedra along the c axis. The edge‐sharing chains are connected to the O₂Lu₆ double tetrahedra by isolated SiO₄ units. The structure has been determined by neutron diffraction.     

Dicerium orthosilicate selenide and dicerium orthosilicate telluride,Ce2(SiO4)Q (Q = Se or Te)

The crystal structures of two new quaternary compounds, viz. dicerium orthosilicate selenide and dicerium orthosilicate telluride, Ce₂(SiO₄)Q (Q = Se or Te), have been determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Each structure comprises infinite chains of SiO₄ tetrahedra separated by Ce and Q atoms. The site symmetries are Ce m and 2, Si 2 and Qm. The O atoms are in general positions.     

The high‐temperature modification of zinc catena‐polyphosphate, β‐Zn(PO3)2

Single crystals of the high‐temperature modification of zinc catena‐polyphosphate, β‐Zn(PO₃)₂, were grown from a melt and quenched from 1093 K to room temperature. The structure was solved from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data and is built of corrugated (PO₃)_∞ polyphosphate chains, which extend along the c direction with an eight‐tetrahedra repeat. Slightly distorted [ZnO₄] tetrahedra link the polyphos­phate chains into a three‐dimensional network.     

HP‐CsB5O8: Synthesis and Characterization of an Outstanding Borate Exhibiting the Simultaneous Linkage of All Structural Units of Borates

The new cesium pentaborate HP‐CsB₅O₈ is synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions of 6 GPa and 900 °C in a Walker‐type multianvil apparatus. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (Z=4) with the parameters a=789.7(1), b=961.2(1), c=836.3(1) pm, V=0.6348(1) nm³, R₁=0.0359 and wR₂=0.0440 (all data). The new structure type of HP‐CsB₅O₈ exhibits the simultaneous linkage of trigonal BO₃ groups, corner‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra, and edge‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra including the presence of threefold‐coordinated oxygen atoms. With respect to the rich structural chemistry of borates, HP‐CsB₅O₈ is the second structure type possessing this outstanding combination of the main structural units of borates in one compound. The structure consists of corrugated chains of corner‐ and edge‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra interconnected through BO₃ groups forming octagonal channels. Inside these channels, cesium is 13+3‐fold coordinated by oxygen atoms. ¹¹B MQMAS NMR spectra are analyzed to estimate the isotropic chemical shift values and quadrupolar parameters. IR and Raman spectra are obtained and compared to the calculated vibrational frequencies at the Γ‐point. The high‐temperature behavior is examined by means of temperature‐programmed powder diffraction.     

Sr13□NbAs11 and Eu13□NbAs11 – Defect Variants of the Ca14AlSb11 Structure with asymmetric [As3]7− anions

The novel compounds Sr₁₃NbAs₁₁ and Eu₁₃NbAs₁₁ have been synthesized from SrAs, Eu₅As₄, Sr, Nb and As in niobium ampoules at 1173–1273 K. The tetragonal tI 200 phases are defect variants of the Ca₁₄AlSb₁₁ structure (space group I4₁/acd (no. 142); Sr₁₃□NbAs₁₁: a = 1649.8(2) and c = 2214.1(3); Eu₁₃□NbAs₁₁: a = 1632.9(8) and c = 2197.3(8) pm; Z = 8). The structures are built from the cations Sr²⁺, and Eu²⁺, respectively, and from the anions [NbAs₄]^7?, As^3?, and the linear polyanion [As₃]^7?. This polyanion (isosteric to I₃^?) is asymmetric with d(As? As) = 273.0 and 346.0 pm (Sr) and 274.7 and 335.6 pm (Eu), respectively. The bond lengths in the tetrahedral anions are d(Nb? As) = 250.8 and 251.1 pm. The complete structural arrangement is related to that of Cu₂O by forming two interpenetrating networks. The oxygen atoms are substituted by niobium centered As₄ tetrahedra, and the Cu atoms are substituted by As₆ octahedra (centered by Sr, Eu). The central As atoms of the polyanions connect the nets. Both As networks are enveloped by the remaining cations forming cubes, tetragonal antiprisms and capped trigonal prisms.     

Ba3Li2V2O7Cl4, a new vanadate with a channel structure

The tribarium dilithium divanadate tetrachloride Ba₃Li₂V₂O₇Cl₄ is a new vanadate with a channel structure and the first known vanadate containing both Ba and Li atoms. The structure contains four non‐equivalent Ba²⁺ sites (two with m and two with 2/m site symmetry), two Li⁺ sites, two nonmagnetic V⁵⁺ sites, five O²⁻ sites (three with m site symmetry) and four Cl⁻ sites (m site symmetry). One type of Li atom lies in LiO₄ tetrahedra (m site symmetry) and shares corners with VO₄ tetrahedra to form eight‐tetrahedron Li₃V₅O₂₄ rings and six‐tetrahedron Li₂V₄O₁₈ rings; these rings are linked within porous layers parallel to the ab plane and contain Ba²⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. The other Li atoms are located on inversion centres and form isolated chains of face‐sharing LiCl₆ octahedra.     

Poly[[triaquazinc(II)]‐μ3‐4‐nitrophthalato‐κ3O1:O2:O2′]

In the title complex, [Zn(C₈H₃NO₆)(H₂O)₃]_n, the two carboxylate groups of the 4‐nitrophthalate dianion ligands have monodentate and 1,3‐bridging modes, and Zn atoms are interconnected by three O atoms from the two carboxylate groups into a zigzag one‐dimensional chain along the b‐axis direction. The Zn atom shows distorted octahedral coordination as it is bonded to three O atoms from carboxylate groups of three 4‐nitrophthalate ligands and to three O atoms of three non‐equivalent coordinated water molecules. The one‐dimensional chains are aggregated into two‐dimensional layers through inter‐chain hydrogen bonding. The whole three‐dimensional structure is further maintained and stabilized by inter‐layer hydrogen bonds.     

catena‐Poly­[[di­chlorozinc(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐di‐4‐pyridyl­propane‐κ2N:N′]

The title compound, [ZnCl₂(bpp)]_n (where bpp is 1,3‐di‐4‐pyridyl­propane, C₁₃H₁₄N₂), has been prepared by the hydro­thermal reaction of ZnCl₂ and bpp at 433 K. The Zn, Cl and central propyl C atom lie on the mirrors of the P2₁/m space group. The molecular structure shows a weave‐like polymeric chain. Each Zn atom is coordinated by two N atoms and two Cl atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with the Zn—N distance being 2.055 (5) Å and the Zn—Cl distances being 2.239 (3) and 2.247 (2) Å.     

Lanthanum tetrazinc,LaZn4

The structure of lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn₄, has been determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data for the first time, approximately 70 years after its discovery. The compound exhibits a new structure type in the space group Cmcm, with one La atom and two Zn atoms occupying sites with m2m symmetry, and one Zn atom occupying a site with 2.. symmetry. The structure is closely related to the BaAl₄, La₃Al₁₁, BaNi₂Si₂ and CaCu₅ structure types, which can be presented as close‐packed arrangements of 18‐vertex clusters, in this case LaZn₁₈. The kindred structure types contain related 18‐vertex clusters around atoms of the rare earth or alkaline earth metal.     

catena‐Poly[[diaquazinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoato‐κ2O:O′]

The title compound, [Zn(C₁₄H₈O₆S)(H₂O)₂]_n, is the first reported metal complex of the 4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoate anion. The structure comprises zigzag chains of alternating [Zn(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and sulfonyldibenzoate units, the central Zn and S atoms of which lie on crystallographic twofold axes. The Zn^II centre occupies a strongly distorted tetrahedral environment [O—Zn—O = 83.30 (7)–136.19 (8)°], coordinated by the two water O atoms [Zn—O = 1.986 (2) Å] and one O atom from each of two carboxylate groups [Zn—O = 1.9942 (19) Å], with much longer contacts to the other O atoms of these carboxylates [Zn—O = 2.528 (2) Å]. Hydrogen bonds between carboxylate O atoms and coordinated water molecules in adjacent chains lead to the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of NiPdTe and Ni2PdSe2

The metal‐rich chalcogenides NiPdTe and Ni₂PdSe₂ were synthesized by heating stoichiometric mixtures of the elements at 823–1323 K in silica ampoules under argon atmosphere. The structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. NiPdTe (Pnma, a = 8.337(2), b = 3.758(1), c = 6.290(1) Å, Z = 4) is build up by a distorted cubic closed packing of Te atoms with Ni atoms in one half of the tetrahedral holes. The Ni atoms form zigzag‐chains with short Ni–Ni bonds. The Pd atoms are located in the octahedral holes and are fivefold coordinated by Te atoms due to a strong shift off the centers. The structure of NiPdTe is related to the TiNiSi type due to a similar nickel substructure and to the Cu₂Sb type with respect to the fcc packing of the anions. Ni₂PdSe₂ (I4/mmm, a = 10.446(1), c = 5.751(1) Å, Z = 8) forms a new structure type with strongly distorted edge‐ and corner‐sharing NiSe₄ tetrahedra. The Pd atoms are either planar coordinated by four Se or located in the centers of face‐sharing Ni₈ cubes. The structure of Ni₂PdSe₂ merges metallic building blocks with structural fragments typical for polar compounds.     

Binary Compounds of Rhodium and Zinc: RhZn,Rh2Zn11, and RhZn13

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of the elements at elevated temperatures in sealed silica tubes. Single crystals of RhZn and RhZn₁₃ were obtained by slow cooling of samples with a high zinc content after dissolving the zinc‐rich matrix in hydrochloric acid. Their crystal structures were determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. RhZn has a CsCl type structure: Pm3m, a = 300.9(1) pm. RhZn₁₃ has a CoZn₁₃ type structure: C2/m, a = 1090.8(2) pm, b = 753.7(2) pm, c = 512.7(1) pm, β = 101.02(2)°. The structure of Rh₂Zn₁₁ is isotypic with Cu₅Zn₈, the γ‐brass structure. It was refined from X‐ray diffractometer powder data: I43m, a = 909.1(1) pm. In these structures all atoms have high coordination numbers. The structure of RhZn₁₃ contains relatively large unoccupied voids. It is suggested that they accommodate nonbonding electrons. Electrical conductivity measurements of Rh₂Zn₁₁ and RhZn₁₃ indicate metallic behavior, however, with an unexpectedly high resistivity for Rh₂Zn₁₁. The expected Pauli paramagnetism of these compounds is overcompensated by the core diamagnetism, suggesting a low density of states at the Fermi level especially for Rh₂Zn₁₁. This correlates with the high electrical resistivity of this compound.     

Strontium diibuprofenate dihydrate,strontium malonate sesquihydrate,strontium diascorbate dihydrate and strontium 2‐oxidobenzoate hydrate at 120 K

Four strontium(II) salts with organic acids have been studied. Poly[diaquadi‐μ‐ibuprofenato‐strontium(II)] or poly­[diaqua­bis[μ‐2‐(4‐isobutyl­phen­yl)­propionato]­strontium(II)], [Sr(C₁₃H₁₇O₂)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, crystallizes with eight‐coordinated Sr atoms. The coordination polyhedra are inter­connected by edge‐sharing to form chains. The Sr coordination chains are packed into layers, which are stacked by van der Waals inter­actions. Poly[μ‐aqua‐diaquadi‐μ‐malonato‐distrontium(II)], [Sr₂(C₃H₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₃]_n, crystallizes with nine‐coordinated Sr atoms three‐dimensionally inter­connected into a framework structure. One of the two crystallographically independent water mol­ecules is located on a twofold axial site. catena‐Poly[[diaqua­(ascorbato)strontium(II)]‐μ‐ascorbato], [Sr(C₆H₇O₆)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, crystallizes with isolated eight‐coordinated Sr polyhedra. One of the ascorbate ligands bridges two Sr atoms, forming zigzag polyhedral ascorbate chains. These chains are tied together by a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network. Poly[aqua‐μ‐2‐oxidobenzoato‐strontium(II)], [Sr(C₇H₄O₃)(H₂O)]_n, crystallizes with eight‐coordinated Sr atoms. The polyhedra are inter­connected by face‐ and edge‐sharing into layers. These layers are stacked by van der Waals forces between the protruding 2‐oxidobenzoate ligands.     

SrSn3 – eine supraleitende Legierung mit freien Elektronenpaaren

SrSn₃ – a Superconducting Alloy with Non‐bonding Electron Pairs SrSn₃ was synthesized from the elements in a welded niobium ampoule. The crystal structure was determined from X‐ray single crystal data. Space group R3m, a = 6,940(2) Å, c = 33,01(1) Å, Z = 12, Pearson symbol hR48. SrSn₃ shows an ordered atomic distribution on four crystallographic sites. The structure is build up from two closed packed atom layers (Sn1/Sr1 and Sn2/Sr2) each with the composition Sr : Sn = 1 : 3 and with hexagonal symmetry of the Sr atoms. The Sn atoms are shifted with respect to the ideal positions of a closed packed layer in a way that Sn triangles, which are separated by Sr atoms, result. Translational symmetry along the c axis arises from a 12‐layer stacking sequence with hexagonal and cubic closest packing motives. Due to the layer sequence ABABCACABCBC… units of three face‐sharing Sn octahedra result (condensation through Sn2 atoms) which form the Sn partial structure. The octahedra chains run parallel to the c axis and are connected by exclusively vertex sharing Sn octahedra (Sn1 atoms). Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements reveal superconducting properties. LMTO band structure calculations verify the metallic behavior. An analysis of the density of states with the help of the electron localization function (ELF) shows, that two kinds of lone pairs occur in this intermetallic phase: non‐bonding electron pairs with the shape of a sp² orbital hybrid are located at the Sn2 atoms and lone pairs with p orbital character are located at Sn1 atoms. The role of lone pairs with respect to the superconducting property is discussed.     

Neue Zinn‐reiche Stannide der Systeme AII‐Al‐Sn (AII = Ca,Sr, Ba)

New Tin‐rich Stannides of the Systems A^II‐Al‐Sn (A^II = Ca, Sr, Ba) Four new tin‐rich intermetallics of the ternary systems Ca/Sr/Ba‐Al‐Sn were synthesized from stoichiometric amounts of the elements at maximum temperatures of 1200 °C. Their crystal structures, representing two new types, have been determined using single crystal x‐ray diffraction. Close to the 1:1 composition, the structures of the two isotypic compounds A₁₈[Al₄(Al/Sn)₂Sn₄][Sn₄][Sn]₂ (overall composition A₉M₈; A = Sr/Ba, tetragonal, space group P4/mbm, a = 1325.9(1)/1378.6(1), c = 1272.8(2)/1305.4(1) pm, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0430/0.0293) contain three different anionic Sn/Al building units: Isolated Sn atoms (motif I) coordinated by the alkaline earth cations only (comparable to Ca₂Sn), linear Sn chains (II), which are comparable to the anions in trielides related to the W₅Si₃ structure type and finally octahedral clusters [Al₄M₂Sn₄] (III), composed of four Al atoms forming the center plane, two statistically occupied Al/Sn atoms at the apexes and four exohedral Sn attached to Al. Close to the AM₂ composition, two isotypic tin‐rich intermetallics A₉[Al₃Sn₂][(Sn/Al)₄]Sn₆ (overall composition A₉M₁₅; A = Ca/Sr; space group C2/m, a = 2175.2(1)/2231.0(2), b = 1210.8(1)/1247.0(1), c = 1007.4(1)/1042.0(2) pm, β = 103.38(1)/103.42(1)°, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0541/0.0378) are formed. Their structure is best described as a complex three‐dimensional network, that can be considered to consist of the building units of the binary border phases too, i.e. linear zig‐zag chains of Sn (motif I) like in CaSn, ladders of four‐bonded Sn/Al atoms (II) like in SrAl₂ and trigonal‐bipyramidal clusters [Al₃Sn₂] (III) also present in Ba₃Al₅. Despite the complex structures, some statistically occupied Al/Sn positions and the small disorder of one building unit, the bonding in both structure types can be interpreted using the Zintl concept and Wade's electron counting rules when taking partial Sn‐Sn bonds into account.     

Sr5[NbN4]N ‐ A Nitridoniobate(V) Nitride Containing Isolated [NbN4]7‐ Tetrahedra and Octahedral Chains 1(Sr4Sr2/2N7+)

Sr₅[NbN₄]N (transparent, red single crystals) was synthesized by reaction of Sr2N with Nb under nitrogen at ambient pressure and 1223 K. The crystal structure was solved and refined in the space group Pbcm (no. 57), Z = 4, with lattice constants a = 646.6(3) pm, b = 1792.5(9) pm, c = 729.8(4) pm, and R = 0.019, wR² = 0.034. The crystal structure contains both isolated tetrahedra [NbN₄]^7‐ as well as chains of corner sharing octahedra 1(Sr₄Sr_2/2N⁷⁺). Strontium is irregularly coordinated by nitrogen (CN = 4 ‐ 6, Sr‐N: 252.3(4) ‐ 340.8(3) pm); nitrogen is located in a distorted octahedral environment by strontium and niobium (Nb‐N: 194.5(4) ‐ 199.2(2) pm). By formal reduction of the structural building units to their centers a close structural relationship to both the NiAs and the CaSi type structure is evident.     

Strontium magnesium phosphate,Sr2+xMg3−xP4O15 (x∼ 0.36), from laboratory X‐ray powder data

The previously unknown crystal structure of strontium magnesium phosphate, Sr_2+xMg_3−xP₄O₁₅ (x∼ 0.36), determined and refined from laboratory powder X‐ray diffraction data, represents a new structure type. The title compound was synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and it crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. It was earlier thought to be stoichiometric Sr₂Mg₃P₄O₁₅, but our structural study indicates the nonstoichiometric composition. The asymmetric unit contains one Sr (site symmetry ..m on special position 8g), one M (= Mg 64%/Sr 36%; site symmetry 2/m.. on special position 4b), one Mg (site symmetry 2.. on special position 8e), two P (site symmetry m.. on special position 8f and site symmetry ..m on special position 8g), and six O sites [two on general positions 16h, two on 8g, one on 8f and one on special position 4c (site symmetry m2m)]. The nonstoichiometry is due to the mixing of magnesium and strontium ions on the M site. The structure consists of three‐dimensional networks of MgO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra, and MO₆ octahedra with the other strontium ions occupying the larger cavities surrounded by ten O atoms. All the polyhedra are connected by corner‐sharing except the edge‐sharing MO₆ octahedra forming one‐dimensional arrangements along [001].     

The new ternary phases of La3(Zn0.874Mg0.126)11 and Ce3(Zn0.863Mg0.137)11

The new ternary intermetallic title compounds, namely trilanthanum undeca(zinc/magnesium), La₃(Zn_0.874Mg_0.126)₁₁, (I), and tricerium undeca(zinc/magnesium), Ce₃(Zn_0.863Mg_0.137)₁₁, (II), are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic La₃Al₁₁ structure type. These three phases belong to the same structural family, the representative members of which may be derived from the tetragonal BaAl₄ structure type by a combination of internal deformation and multiple substitution. Compared to the structure of La₃Al₁₁, in (I), a significant decrease of 11.9% in the unit‐cell b axis and an increase in the other two directions, of 3.6% along a and 5.2% along c, are observed. Such an atypical deformation is caused by the closer packing of atoms in the unit cell due to atom shifts that reflect strengthening of metallic‐type bonding. This structural change is also manifested in a significant difference in the coordination around the smaller atoms at the 8l Wyckoff position (site symmetry m). The Al atom in La₃Al₁₁ is in a tricapped trigonal prismatic environment (coordination number 9), while the Zn atoms in (I) and (II) are situated in a tetragonal antiprism with two added atoms (coordination number 10).     

Motive dichtester Kugelpackungen: Die Verbindungen Zn3(PS4)2 und LiZnPS4

Motifs of Closest Packings: The Compounds Zn₃(PS₄)₂ and LiZnPS₄ The crystal structure of Zn₃(PS₄)₂ was determined by single crystal X‐ray methods. The compound crystallizes tetragonally (P4¯n2; a = 7.823(1), c = 9.053(1)Å; Z = 2) with a new structure type built up by corner‐sharing ZnS₄ tetrahedra, which form two‐dimensional layers. Between them the P atoms are coordinated likewise tetrahedrally by sulfur. The PS₄ tetrahedra are arranged according to the motif of the cubic closest packing with zinc in three quarters of the tetrahedral voids. LiZnPS₄ (I4¯; a = 5.738(1), c = 8.914(1)Å; Z = 2) was synthesized by heating the elements at 400 °C. In comparison with Zn₃(PS₄)₂ one Zn atom is replaced by two Li atoms. The metal atoms are located in the centres of the sulfur tetrahedra in such a way that the unit cell volume is only about half that of the zinc compound. In this packing of the PS₄ units all the tetrahedral voids are occupied by lithium and zinc atoms. Chemical bonding in LiZnPS₄ is discussed by means of the electron localization function ELF.     

Structure and Properties of UO2(H2AsO4)2 · H2O

UO₂(H₂AsO₄)₂ · H₂O was synthesized by dissolving elemental uranium in arsenic acid (80.5%) for twelve weeks at room temperature. The resulting small crystals were transparent and of yellow‐green color. The crystal structure was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data: C2/c, a = 1316.4(3) pm, b = 886.2(2) pm, c = 905.0(3) pm, β = 124.41(3)°, R1 = 0.023, wR2 = 0.060, 981 structure factors, and 65 variable parameters. The uranium atoms of this new structure type are coordinated by two very close oxygen atoms in linear arrangement. Four further oxygen atoms which belong to four different AsO₄ tetrahedra and the oxygen atom of the water molecule complete the 7‐fold coordination of the uranium atoms. [UO₂(H₂O)]²⁺ and two H₂AsO₄^– units form infinite electroneutral chains which are the main building units of the structure and which are interconnected by hydrogen bridging bonds. IR heating experiments show that dehydration around 500 K leads to a complete decomposition of the structure. Magnetic measurement gave a diamagnetic behavior with a susceptibility of χ = –8.68 10^–9 m³/mol in good agreement with the diamagnetic increment of the compound (χ = –8.20 10^–9 m³/mol) calculations with U⁶⁺.