Synthesis, band structure, and optical properties of Ba2ZnV2O8

A novel compound Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ has been synthesized in high temperature solution reaction and its crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in monoclinic system and belongs to space group P2₁/c with a=7.9050(16), b=16.149(3), , β=90.49(3). It builds up from 1-D branchy chains of [ZnV₂O₈⁴⁻]_∞, and the Ba²⁺ cations are located in the space among these chains. The IR spectrum, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection integral spectrum and fluorescent spectra of this compound have been investigated. The calculated results of energy band structure by the density functional theory method show that the solid-state compound of Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ is an insulator with direct band gap of 3.48 eV. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from the mixings of O-2p, V-3d, and Zn-3d states and low conduction bands mostly originate from unoccupied antibonding states between the V-3d and O-2p states. The V-O bonds are mostly covalence characters and Zn-O bonds are mostly ionic interactions, and the ionic interaction strength is stronger between the Ba-O than between the Zn-O. The refractive index of n_x, n_y, and n_z is estimated to be 1.7453, 1.7469, and 1.7126, respectively, at wavelength of 1060 nm for Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ crystal.     

Anomalies in the Structural Chemistry of Silicon

In contrast to carbon, silicon fails to form multiple bonds that are stable at room temperature. Consequently molecules in which silicon exhibits coordination numbers (CN) of 1, 2, and 3 may only be obtained at very high or low temperatures. Under these conditions their structural features, including multiple bonds, resemble those of carbon. On the other hand, silicon is capable of forming various hexacoordinated compounds making use of its d orbitals. Nitrogen and oxygen bonded to silicon develop an unusual stereochemistry: planar nitrogen, nearly or completely linear oxygen, and considerable shortening of SiN, SiO, and SiF bonds are specific examples. N(SiR₃)₂ and CH₂SiR₃ ligands permit stabilization of unusually low CNs of many metals and give rise to amino and alkyl derivatives of unexpectedly high stability due to the particular electronic, the R₃Si group.     

Kristallstruktur von Hexamincyclotriphosphazen,P3N3(NH2)6

Crystal Structure of Hexamine Cyclotriphosphazene, P₃N₃(NH₂)₆ In the presence of KNH₂ hexamine cyclotriphosphazene semi ammoniate (molar ratio 12:1) in NH₃ gives crystals of solvent free P₃N₃(NH₂)₆ within 5 d at 130°C and p(NH₃) = 110 bar. The structure was solved by X-rax methods: P₃N₃(NH₂)₆: P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 10.889(6) Å, b = 5.9531(6) Å, c = 13.744(8) Å, β = 97.83(3)°, Z(F_o) = 1 721 with (F_o)² ≥ 3σ(F_o)², Z(var.) = 157, R/R_w = 0,036/0,041 The structure contains columns of molecules P₃N₃(NH₂)₆ all in the same orientation. The six-membered rings within one molecule have boat conformation. The columns are stacked together in a way that one is surrounded by four others shifted by half a lattice constant in direction [010]. Strong hydrogen bridge-bonds N? H…?N connect molecules within the columns and between them.     

Crystal structure of oxotitanium(IV) 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate

The structure of titanyl dipivalylmethanate TiO(dpm)₂ has been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound has a molecular structure formed by isolated centrosymmetrical dimers [TiO(dpm)₂]₂; the unit cell contains two structurally related, crystallographically unique binuclear molecules. The Ti...Ti distance in the dimer is 2.73 Å. Crystal data for Ti₂C₃₆H₇₆O₁₀: a = 32.477(6) Å, b = 14.409(3) Å, c = 25.630(5) Å; β = 107.82(3)°, space group C2/c, Z = 8, d _calc = 1.002 g/cm³.     

Calculations of the electronic structures of cage molecules using free-electron orbitals as a basis

A non-empirical molecular orbital method, particularly suitable for calculations on cage-like molecules, is described. The method uses as basis functions the set of free-electron functions which are the solutions of Schrödinger's equation for an electron confined between two concentric, spherical potential energy barriers. Application of the theory to the SCF calculation of the energies of the delocalized electrons in benzene and tetrasulphur tetranitride shows that the model is capable of interpreting the properties of such systems. However, it does highlight a difficulty in the calculation of excited state energies with one-centre models which appears to be largely unrecognized.Extension of the method to a consideration of all the valence electrons, using P₄ as an example, reveals problems the origin of which is an inadequate treatment of the core electrons. It is suggested that these problems may best be dealt with by use of a suitable pseudo potential.     

Experimental and theoretical study of vibrational spectra and structure of dihalogermylene and dihalostannylene complexes with 1,4-dioxane and triphenylphosphine

Vibrational (Raman and IR) spectra of the 1:1 complexes of dihalogermylene and dihalostannylene with 1,4-dioxane and PPh₃ have been reported, the structures of the complexes Cl₂Ge·C₄H₈O₂ and Cl₂Ge·PPh₃ updated using high-resolution X-ray method. Quantum-chemistry calculations of the geometry and normal mode frequencies and eigenvectors were carried out for some of the complexes. The results show that in the structure of the polymeric solid complexes of X₂M with 1,4-dioxane, intermolecular coordination XM plays a prominent role, whereas the corresponding complexes with PPh₃ are monomeric. In the vibrational spectra of all the complexes, an inversion of symmetric and antisymmetric stretching νXM (X=Cl, Br; M=Ge, Sn) frequencies, found for ‘free’ X₂M^II particles, still persists, suggesting that the X₂M moieties preserve their specifity as carbene analogues also in the complexes.     

Preparation and crystal structure of the La2Ni12P5 and isotypic ternary lanthanoid—Nickel phosphides

The new ternary phosphide La₂Ni₁₂P₅ has been prepared by direct arc melting of the components as pure metals and red phosphorus. The crystal structure has been determined using X-ray single crystal diffraction data. The compound exhibits a new type of crystal structure, P2₁/m with lattice parameters a = 10.911(3), b = 3.696(2), c = 13.174(4) Å, β = 108.02(2)°, V = 505,2(6) ų, Z = 2. Atomic parameters least squares refinement of 116 independent variables (anisotropic approximation for thermal vibrations) employed 1 284 independent I_o(hkl); R_F = 0.0278 and R_W = 0.0287. The crystal structure is characterized by trigonal prismatic arrangement of phosphorus atoms stacking variant of infinite (with phosphorus centered) columns built by metal trigonal prisms ‖ [010]. Two or three such columns are connected through common edges (lanthanum atoms). The compounds RE₂Ni₁₂P₅ (where RE = Ce, Pr, Nd and Eu) display the same with La₂Ni₁₂P₅ crystal structure. Lattice parameters of these compounds have been refined using powder diffraction data.     

Adsorption of water molecules in slit pores

We report molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the adsorption of water in attractive and repulsive slit pores, where the slit and a bulk region are in contact with each other. Water structure, surface force and adsorption behavior are investigated as a function of the overall density in the bulk region. The gas–liquid transition in both types of pores occurs at similar densities of the bulk region.     

Synthesis and Structure of the New Ammonium Indium Phosphate (NH4)In(OH)PO4

A new ammonium indium phosphate (NH₄)In(OH)PO₄ was prepared by hydrothermal reaction in the In₂O₃-NH₄H₂PO₄-NH₃/OH system (T=200°C, autogenous pressure, 7 days). The formula (NH₄)In(OH)PO₄ was determined on the basis of chemical and thermal analysis (TG/DSC), X-ray powder diffraction and IR-spectroscopy. (NH₄)In(OH)PO₄ crystallizes in the tetragonal system with space group P4₃2₁2 (No. 96); a=9.4232(1) Å, c=11.1766(1) Å, V=992.45(2) ų; Z=8. The crystal structure was refined by the Rietveld method (R_w=6.35%, R_p=5.10%). The second-harmonic generation study confirmed that structure of (NH₄)In(OH)PO₄ does not have a center of symmetry. The cis-InO₄(OH)₂ octahedra form helical chains, parallel to the c-axis. The In-O-In bonds are nearly equidistant. The chains are interconnected by phosphate tetrahedra and create tunnels containing the NH₄⁺ ions along the c-axis. (NH₄)In(OH)PO₄ is isostructural with RbIn(OH)PO₄.     

On the symmetry of iron(III) tris-acetylacetonate crystals

The crystal structure of iron tris-acetylacetonate is re-determined. Crystal data at 293 K are: a = 15.4524(5) Å, b = 13.5876(4) Å, c = 16.5729(7) Å, Z = 8; at 150 K: a = 15.2541(4) Å, b = 13.4451(3) Å, c = 16.4256(5) Å, Z = 8. The structure is molecular and comprises isolated molecules. The coordination polyhderon of iron is an almost regular octahedron, Fe-O bond lengths are 1.977–2.003 Å (293 K) and 1.982–2.006 Å (150 K). In the crystalline state, the molecules are arranged in layers, and iron atoms are located on a plane yielding an almost regular trigonal net with the Fe...Fe separations of 7.558–8.103 Å (293 K) and 7.472–8.017 Å (150 K). The adjacent layer is positioned exactly over the first one with a Fe...Fe distance of 8.303 Å (293 K) and 8.236 Å (150 K).