Refinement of the crystal structures of three fluorine-bearing elbaites

The crystal structures of three Li-Al natural tourmalines (elbaites) containing 0.88–1.39 wt % F are refined to R= 0.0294, 0.0308, and 0.0417. It is revealed that the W threefold anion site is split into two sites, namely, the W1 threefold site and W2 ninefold site (W1–W2 ～ 0.4 Å, Y-W₁ ≥ 1.94 Å, Y-W2 ≥ 1.75 Å). The following hypothesis is proposed and justified: the W1 and W2 sites are partially occupied by OH groups and fluorine anions, respectively. The ratio of the [YO₄(OH)₂] octahedra to the [YO₄(OH)F] octahedra depends on the fluorine content and varies from structure to structure. The fact that the W site is more than 50% occupied by fluorine in the structures of two tourmalines under investigation allows the conclusion that fluor-elbaite with the ideal formula Na(Li_1.5A1_1.5)A1₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃F is a new mineral species and that elbaite can be considered a superspecies.     

Refinement of the crystal structure of calcium-lithium-aluminum tourmaline from the pegmatite vein in the Sangilen Upland (Tuva Republic)

The crystal structure of a natural calcium-lithium-aluminum tourmaline, which has the unique composition (Ca_0.62Na_0.32□_0.06)(Al_1.08Li_0.99Fe _0.66 ²⁺ Mg_0.24Ti_0.03)Al₆[Si₆O₁₈](BO₃)₃(OH_2.28O_0.72) · (F_0.84O_0.16), is refined (R = 0.019, R _w = 0.022, S = 1.47). It is found that the O(1)(W) site is split into two sites, O(1) and O(11), which are incompletely occupied by fluorine and oxygen anions, respectively, and that the O(3)(V) site contains bivalent oxygen anions. The solid solution studied is close in composition to the liddicoatite mineral species and differs from the latter one by the Li: Al ratio in the Y octahedra and the presence of bivalent oxygen anions in the O(3) site. The tourmaline studied differs from the hypothetical oxyliddicoatite by the population of the O(1)(W) site by fluorine and accommodation of additional oxygen anions in the O(3)(V) site.     

Structural characteristics of a new cation-deficient representative of the labuntsovite group

The crystal structure of a new representative of the labuntsovite group from the Khibiny massif (the Kola Peninsula) has been refined. The unit-cell parameters are a = 14.298(7) Å, b = 13.816(7) Å, c = 7.792(3) Å, β = 116.85(5)°, V = 1373.3 ų, sp. gr. C2/m, R^aniso = 0.047, 1084 reflections with F > 4σ (F). The mineral differs from lemmleinite-Ba and other members of the group by the predominance of the vacancies in two key cationic positions—C position is occupied by Ba cations (37%) and D position is occupied mainly by Mn cations (47%).     

Nanohematite from Ferruginous Quartzites of Kursk Magnetic Anomaly According to Transmission Electron Microscopy Data

Transmission electron microscopy study of ferruginous quartzite (jaspilites) from the Lebedinsky field of Kursk magnetic anomaly has revealed for the first time hematite nanoformations (about 10 nm in size), sp. gr. R3?, which coexist with hematite, sp. gr. R3?c, in the same crystallographic orientation or manifest themselves as individual nanoinclusions in the substrate of poorly crystallized magnetite. On the assumption that, in correspondence with the energy-dispersive X-ray analysis data, octahedral sites in the hematite structure can be occupied by only Fe cations, several structural models are proposed explain the hematite symmetry lowering to R3?.     

Crystal structure of celadonite from the electron diffraction data

The crystal structure of the dioctahedral celadonite mica 1M (space group C2/m; R, 2.98%; 184 unique reflections) is refined from the oblique-texture electron diffraction patterns obtained with the use of imaging plates. The maximum characterizing the location and potential of the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group oriented into the unoccupied trans octahedron at an angle of 4.4° with respect to the ab plane is revealed from the difference Fourier-potential syntheses. The O-H interatomic distance is equal to 0.98 Å. The superstructure reflections observed in the selected-area electron diffraction patterns for a number of particles arise from the superposition of two cells, namely, the main cell with a broken base-centered symmetry and the base-centered supercell with the triple parameter a. These reflections are caused by the ordered distribution of the trivalent and divalent cations Fe and Mg over the octahedral cis positions.     

Investigation of the crystallization features,atomic structure,and microstructure of chromium-doped monticellite

A series of Cr⁴⁺:CaMgSiO₄ single crystals is grown using floating zone melting, and their microstructure, composition, and crystal structure are investigated. It is shown that regions with inclusions of second phases, such as forsterite, akermanite, MgO, and Ca₄Mg₂Si₃O₁₂, can form over the length of the sample. The composition of the single-phase regions of the single crystals varies from the stoichiometric monticellite CaMgSiO₄ to the solid solution Ca_{(1 ? x)}Mg_{(1 + x)}SiO₄(x = 0.22). The Cr:(Ca_0.88Mg_0.12)MgSiO₄ crystal is studied using X-ray diffraction. It is revealed that, in this case, the olivine-like orthorhombic crystal lattice is distorted to the monoclinic lattice with the parameters a = 6.3574(5) Å, b = 4.8164(4) Å, c = 11.0387(8) Å, β = 90.30(1)^o, Z = 4, V = 337.98 ų, and space group P2₁/c. In the monoclinic lattice, the M(1) position of the initial olivine structure is split into two nonequivalent positions with the center of symmetry, which are occupied only by Mg²⁺ cations with the average length of the Mg-O bond R _av = 2.128 Å. The overstoichiometric Mg²⁺ cations partially replace Ca²⁺ cations (in the M(2) position of the orthorhombic prastructure) with the average bond length of 2.347 Å in the [(Ca,Mg)-O₆] octahedron. The average distance in SiO₄ distorted tetrahedra is 1.541 Å.     

Crystal structure of jinshajiangite from the Norra Kärr complex (Sweden)

The structure of the mineral jinshajiangite from the Norra Kärr alkaline complex (Sweden) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and refined to R = 6.7%. The monoclinic unit-cell parameters are a = 5.350(2) Å, b = 6.909(6) Å, c = 20.96(1) Å, β = 99.83(4)°, sp. gr. P2/m. This mineral is an Fe-rich analogue of surkhobite and perraultite, but it crystallizes in a different space group, and the unit-cell parameters a and b are two times smaller than those of these two minerals. The framework of jinshajiangite from Norra Kärr contains narrow and wide channels, which are occupied by Ca, Na, Ba, and K atoms in an ordered fashion.     

New representative in the sodalite structure type with extraframework anions [AlF<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript>

The crystal structure of new synthetic aluminosilicate |Na_7.38(AlF₆)_0.70(H₂O)_4.88|[(Si_6.74Al_5.26)O₂₄]-SOD, which was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis (T = 650° C, P = 2 Kbar) in the Si-Al-Na-F-H₂O system, has been found by X-ray diffraction (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, 2θ_max = 64.99°, R = 0.037 for 440 reflections): a = 9.0461(1) Å, sp. gr. P \(\bar 4\)3m, Z = 1, and ρ_calcd = 2.370 g/cm³. The disordered Si,Al-tetrahedral framework (the structural basis of the new compound) is topologically identical to the framework of mineral sodalite. Na⁺ cations, [AlF₆]^3? anions, and H₂O molecules occupy framework voids. The form of fluorine incorporation into the sodalite crystal structure (as octahedral aluminofluoride complexes) has been reliably established for the first time.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 2,2’-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)dipyridinium dinitrate (H<Subscript>2</Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>)(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The crystal structure of 2,2’-(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)dipyridinium dinitrate (Н₂L)(NO₃)₂ is studied by X-ray diffraction (T = 150 K, R1 = 0.0467). The H₂L²⁺ cation is located on the twofold rotation axis and connected with two NO₃^? anions by strong N–H···O hydrogen bonds. Planar quinoxaline fragments of cations form stacks with the interplanar spacing of 3.308 Å. The structure of the diprotonated H₂L²⁺ cation is compared with those of the monoprotonated H₂L²⁺ cation and neutral L molecule.     

Crystal structure of centrosymmetric 12-layer sodium-rich eudialyte

The structure of a new representative of the eudialyte group with the formula (Na,Sr,K)₁₈Ca₆Zr₃Fe[Si₂₅O₇₂](OH)₂Cl · H₂O from the Lovozero massif (Kola Peninsula) was studied by X-ray diffraction. The trigonal unit-cell parameters are a = 14.226 Å, c = 30.339 Å, sp. gr. R \(\bar 3\) m; the R factor is 0.045 based on 990 reflections. This sample is of interest as a sodium-rich and iron-poor mineral having a rare centrosymmetric structure, in which the M(2) site is occupied predominantly by sodium atoms. The dependence of the formation of centrosymmetric and non-centrosymmetric structures on the composition of eudialyte-group minerals was analyzed.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of 4-Aminopyridinium 3,5-Dinitrobenzoate

The crystal structure of 4-aminopyridinium 3,5-dinitrobenzoate, C₁₂H₁₀O₆N₄, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic sp. gr. P21/n with the unit cell parameters: a = 7.4726(3) Å, b = 23.0898(9) Å, c = 8.0744(4) Å, V = 1338.64(10) ų, Z = 4. The asymmetric unit of the compound consists of one 3,5-dinitrobenzoate anion and 4-aminopyridine cation. The adjacent anions and cations are linked through two N?H···O hydrogen bonds, N2?H2A···O5 and N₂?H2B···O6, to form an infinite chain of anions and cations, extended along the [010] direction.     

Crystal and molecular structure of phenanthrolinium peroxodisulfate dihydrate (C<Subscript>12</Subscript>H<Subscript>9</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> · 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of (HPhen)₂S₂O₈ · 2H₂O is studied using X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 23.716(5) Å, b = 10.220(2) Å, c = 13.103(3) Å, β = 128.03(2)°, V = 2501.6(9) ų, Z = 4, space group C2/c, and R = 0.0745 for 1579 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The crystal is built of S₂O ₈ ^2? centrosymmetric anions, HPhen ⁺ cations, and molecules of crystallization water. Hydrogen bonds link the structural units into chains. Within a chain, stacking interactions are observed between the phenanthroline rings (the interplanar spacing between the rings is 3.8 Å, and the dihedral angle between their planes is 8°). The data of IR spectroscopy confirm the formation of the N(Phen)-H bond.     

Crystal structure of byelorussite-(Ce) NaMnBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>(TiO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Si<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>(F,OH) · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of the mineral byelorussite-(Ce) NaMnBa₂Ce₂Ti₂Si₈O₂₆(F,OH) · H₂O belonging to the joaquinite group was solved and refined to R = 0.033 based on 4813 reflections with I > σ2(I). The parameters of the orthorhombic unit cell are a = 22.301(4) Å, b = 10.514(2) Å, c = 9.669(2) Å, V = 2267.1(8) ų, sp. gr. Ama2, and Z = 4. The structure is composed of three-layer sheets, which consist of dimers of edge-sharing Ti octahedra located between isolated four-membered [Si₄O₂] rings. The sheets are linked to each other by Mn 5-vertex polyhedra to form a heteropolyhedral framework. Large cavities in the framework are occupied by Na 6-vertex polyhedra, Ba 11-vertex polyhedra, and REE 9-vertex polyhedra.     

Accurate structural study of langasite-family Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystal

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.1056(2) Å, c = 4.9800(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.486/0.488%). A model structure is determined which is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of structural parameters. Each site in Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ is occupied by atoms of only one type. Nevertheless, its structural feature is asymmetric disordering of sites of Ca, Ta, Ga, and two out of three oxygen atoms occupying special and general sites. A transition of some part of Ca atoms (~3%) from 3e sites on the twofold symmetry axis to general 6g sites is revealed.     

Electronic nature of substituents and the structure of 4,4′-dipyridylium dications: Crystal structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N′</Emphasis>-di(2-carboxyethyl)-4,4′-dipyridylium diperchlorate

The crystal structure of N,N′-di(2-carboxyethyl)-4,4′-dipyridylium diperchlorate, C₁₆H₁₈Cl₂N₂O₁₂, is determined using X-ray diffraction analysis at 293 K. The crystals are orthorhombic, a = 20.084(4) Å, b = 8.687(2) Å, c = 11.725(2) Å, space group Pna2₁, and Z = 4; 1688 reflections measured; and R = 0.056 and R _w = 0.059 for 1244 reflections with I > 3σ(I). It is found that, in the absence of charge transfer or short intramolecular O?N contacts, the nucleus of the dication adopts a twist conformation (the angle of rotation between the planes of the pyridine rings is equal to 23°).     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of New Indium Iodate (K<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Ba)In[IO<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Crystals of new indium iodate (K_0.6Na_0.4Ba)In[IO₃]₆ were prepared by the hydrothermal synthesis. The unit-cell parameters are a = 11.3984(3) Å, с = 11.3817(3) Å, sp. gr. R3?. The chemical formula of the compound was derived from the structure determination and refinement with anisotropic displacement parameters to R = 0.0284. In the structure the InO₆ octahedra share vertices with six umbrella-like [IO₃]–groups typical of iodates and form isolated 3?-symmetric charged \(\rm{In[IO_{3}]_6^{3-}}\) clusters. Large Ba, K, and Na cations occupy a common site on a threefold axis due to the isomorphous substitution and compensate the charge of the clusters. The new structure extends the family of the recently discovered alkali-metal and barium iodates containing Ti and Zr atoms in octahedral sites. The iodate K₂Ge[IO₃]₆ containing Ge atoms in the centers of octahedra is the parent compound of this structural family.     

Refinement of the crystal structures of synthetic nickel- and cobalt-bearing tourmalines

The crystal structures of synthetic tourmalines with a unique composition containing 3d elements (Ni, Fe, and Co) have been refined: (Ca_0.12?_0.88)(Al_1.69Ni _0.81 ²⁺ Fe _0.50 ²⁺ )(Al_5.40Fe _0.60 ³⁺ )(Si_5.82Al_0.18O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.25O_0.75 I, a = 15.897(5), c = 7.145(2) Å, V = 1564(1) Å; Na_0.91(Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.96 ³⁺ Al_0.63Fe _0.18 ²⁺ Mg_0.03)(Al_4.26Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.48 ³⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.82Al_0.18)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.73O_0.27 II, a = 15.945(5), c = 7.208(2) Å, V = 1587(1) ų and Na_0.35(Al_1.80Co _1.20 ²⁺ )(Al_5.28Co _0.66 ²⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.64B_0.36)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.81O_0.19 III, a = 15.753(8), c = 7.053(3) Å, V = 1516(2) ų. The reliability factors are R ₁ = 0.038?0.057 and wR ₂ = 0.041–0.060. It is found that 3d elements occupy both Y- and Z positions in all structures. The excess positive charge is compensated for due to the incorporation of divalent oxygen anions into the O3(V)+O1(W) positions.     

Crystal Structure of Cl-Deficient Analogue of Taseqite from Odikhincha Massif

An eudialyte group mineral, found in pegmatites of the Odikhincha massif (the northern part of the Siberian platform), has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The mineral is characterized by a high strontium content and a low chlorine content. It has a trigonal unit cell with the following parameters: a = 14.2700(6) Å and c = 30.057(1) Å; V = 5300.6(1) ų; sp. gr. R3m. The structure has been refined to R = 0.047 in the anisotropic approximation of atomic displacements using 1697F > 4σ(F). The idealized formula (Z = 3) was found to be Na₁₂Sr₂Ca₆Fe ₃ ²⁺ Zr₃NbSi₂₅O₇₂(OH,O)₄Cl(Н₂О)_0.2. The chemical composition and structure of this mineral are close to those of taseqite; however, it differs from the holotype sample by a low chlorine content and peculiarities of cation distribution over basic structure sites. A comparative analysis of strontium-rich eudialytes has revealed their important crystallochemical feature: selective concentration of strontium in the N4 site. Thus, taseqite, along with heterophyllosilicates, may play a role of strontium concentrator in agpaitic pegmatites.     

X-ray mapping in heterocyclic design: 16. X-ray diffraction study of 1-(4-chlorophenacyl)-4-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-cyclopenta[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyridin-2-one

The structure of 1-(4-chlorophenacyl)-4-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-cyclopenta[b]pyridin-2-one is studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure (a = 37.006(8) Å, b = 8.967(3) Å, c = 27.911(3) Å, β = 96.52(2)°, Z = 24, space group P2₁/c) is solved by direct methods and refined to R₁ = 0.0608 and wR₂ = 0.1170. Six crystallographically independent molecules differ in the dihedral angle between the phenyl and heterocycle planes. The formation of Cl?Cl aggregates is discussed.     

Unstrained bond lengths and corresponding cation radii in crystals with perovskite structure

A method for determining average lengths of unstrained bands A-X (l_0AX) and B-X (l_0BX) and the ratio of the rigidity constants of these bonds for ABX₃ compounds with perovskite structure is proposed. The values of l_0AX and l_0BX correspond to the minimum energies of cation-anion interaction of the crystal sublattices. Values of l_0AX and l_0BX are obtained for several groups of halide and oxide compounds: A⁺B²⁺F₃, Cs⁺B²⁺Cl₃, A⁺B⁵⁺O₃, A²⁺B⁴⁺O₃, and A³⁺B³⁺O₃. It is ascertained that, for most compounds studied, the values of l_0AX and l_0BX are equal or close to the interatomic distances in crystals of binary compounds. The values of l_0AX and l_0BX are compared with the sums of the radii of the corresponding cations (R _A , R _B ) and anions (\(^{VI} R_{O^{2 - } } ,^{VI} R_{F^ - } ,^{VI} R_{Cl^ - }\)). It is found that the differences \(l_{0AO^ - } ^{VI} R_{O^{2 - } } (L_{0AF^ - } ^{VI} R_{F^ - } )\) and \(l_{0BO^ - } ^{VI} R_{O^{2 - } } (l_{0BF^ - } ^{VI} R_{F^ - } )\), regarded as the radii of the A and B cations in unstrained bonds, are close to the Shannon radii for a coordination number of six. It is shown that the rigidity constant for A-X bonds is several times smaller than that for B-X bonds.