2D metal slabs in new nickel-tin chalcogenides Ni7−δSnQ2 (QSe, Te): average crystal and electronic structures, chemical bonding and physical properties

A systematic search for mixed low-valence, nickel-tin chalcogenides performed by establishing phase relations in the parts of Ni-Sn-Se and Ni-Sn-Te ternary systems resulted in the discovery of two new compounds, Ni_5.62SnSe₂ and Ni_5.78SnTe₂. Single crystals of both compounds were prepared by chemical transport with iodine and crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray investigation. The ED patterns for Ni_5.78SnTe₂ showed the presence of satellite reflections, which indicate a modulated structure with q≈0.4a^*. Average crystal structures of both compounds were determined to be of tetragonal symmetry (Sp.gr. I4/mmm, Z=2) with a=3.6890(8) Å, c=18.648(3) Å, R_w=0.0716 and a=3.7680(5) Å, c=19.419(4) Å, R_w=0.0832, correspondingly, and are isostructural to known Ni_5.72SbSe₂ and Ni_5.66SbTe₂. Measurements were carried out for both compounds with respect to thermal, electrical and magnetic properties. Ab initio band structure calculations were also performed to take a first glance into the electronic structure of such type compounds. The anisotropy of their band structure was found. Physical property measurements showed both compounds to be the anisotropic metallic conductors and paramagnetics. Calculated difference charge density maps revealed pairwise covalent and multicenter metallic nature of the d-metal—chalcogen and d-metal—p-metal interactions, respectively.     

New mixed tellurides of nickel and Group 13–14 metals Ni<Subscript>3−δ</Subscript>MTe<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Sn,In, Ga)

Three new mixed tellurides of nickel and group 13–14 metals Ni_3−δMTe₂ (M = Sn, In, Ga) were prepared by high-temperature ampoule synthesis and studied by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound Ni_3−δSnTe₂ was also studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structural model of this phase and two analogs was described as consisting of layers with nickel-main group metal bonds confined from the above by tellurium atoms. The van der Waals gap formed through contacts between the tellurium atoms of neighboring layers is partially occupied by nickel atoms. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1879–1881, October, 2007.     

New metal-rich mixed chalcogenides with an intergrowth structure: Ni<Subscript>5.68</Subscript>SiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Ni<Subscript>5.46</Subscript>GeSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and Ni<Subscript>5.42</Subscript>GeTe<Subscript>2</Subscript>

New metal-rich mixed nickel-silicon and nickel-germanium chalcogenides, Ni_5.68SiSe₂, Ni_5.46GeSe₂, and Ni_5.42GeTe₂, were synthesized by high-temperature ceramic techniques. The X-ray diffraction study of single crystals grown from a molten flux revealed that the compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the tetragonal system (space group I4/mmm, Z = 2). These compounds are the first members of the family of M_7−δEX₂-type (M = Ni or Pd; E = Sn or Sb; X is chalcogen) intergrowth structures containing “light” p elements E. Resistivity measurements on pressed textured pellets showed that both selenides are anisotropic metallic conductors in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the heterometallic bond systems. The geometric criteria of stability of the intergrowth structure type under consideration are discussed. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1632–1638, September, 2007.     

Untersuchungen zum System SmOCl/SeO2

Investigations on the System SmOCl/SeO₂ The existence of three ternary phases SmSeO₃Cl, SmSe₂₋O₅Cl, and SmSe₃O₇Cl is shown on the quasibinary line SmOClSeO₂. The phase barogram and the phase diagram are determined by total pressure measurements and DTA, respectively. SmSe₃O₇Cl melts peritectical at 340 ± 10 °C, SmSe₂O₅Cl melts peritectical at 560 ± 10 °C while SmSeO₃Cl shows no thermal effects up to 900 °C The data of enthalpies and entropies of the phases are evaluated from the total pressure measurements (Data see „Inhaltsübersicht”︁)     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Fe(Cp)2]3(Bi2Cl9)·thf

Single crystals of [Fe(Cp)₂]₃(Bi₂Cl₉)·thf were obtained from a thf solution containing ferrocene and BiCl₃. The structure shows disorder at room temperature which disappears upon cooling, coupled with a decrease in symmetry. The title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ [a = 1698.64(2), b = 2318.69(3), c = 1085.66(2) pm] with three ferrocenium ions, one nonachlorodibismutate ion and one molecule of thf in the asymmetric unit.     

The crystal structure of Bi14I4 condensed bismuth clusters

The crystal structure of Bi₁₄I₄ — the final known member of binary bismuth halides — was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffractometer technique (P2₁/m, Z = 1, a = 13.309(3) Å, b = 11.447 (3) å, c = 4.342(1) å, γ = 92.08(3)°, R/R_w = 0.060/0.060 for 369 reflections, sinθ/λ≤ 0.593, MoKγ). The structure consists of condensed bismuth clusters and is build up from infinite one-dimensional bismuth nets running along the c-axis and limited by iodine atoms in another direction. The common structural features of bismuth subhalides containing condensed clusters are also considered based on the analysis of interatomic distances and bond angles. The influence of the lone pair of electrons of the bismuth atom on the geometry of bismuth coordination polyhedra, and the connection between bismuth atoms coordination and the formal oxidation state of these atoms is discussed.     

Crystal and electronic structure of Ni3Bi2S2 (parkerite)

The crystal structure of parkerite, Ni₃Bi₂S₂, was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and refined. The single crystal was prepared by the method of chemical transport reactions. The electronic structure of Ni₃Bi₂S₂ was calculated by the extended Hückel and DFT--LMTO--ASA methods. Substantial delocalization of electrons in the vicinity of the Fermi level and the presence of the strong Ni--S and Ni--Bi bonds were revealed. The Ni--Ni bonds are weak, which is in agreement with the X-ray diffraction data.     

New polymolecular bismuth monohalides. Synthesis and crystal structures of Bi4BrxI4–x (x = 1, 2, or 3)

New mixed bismuth monohalides Bi₄Br_xI_4–x (x = 1, 2, or 3) were prepared for the first time by the reactions of bismuth metal with bismuth trihalides taken in stoichiometric amounts. Their crystal structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Bi₄Br₃I and Bi₄BrI₃ compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic system, and Bi₄Br₂I₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic system. The crystal structures of all three phases contain one-dimensionally infinite molecular chains consisting of the [Bi₄X₄] fragments whose structures are identical with those of the individual Bi₄I₄ and Bi₄Br₄ molecules. The molecules are packed in layers. Different packing modes of the layers were found for different bismuth monohalides. The Bi₄ClI₃ compound, which is apparently structurally similar to Bi₄Br₃I and Bi₄BrI₃, was also prepared.     

Unique [(1)infinityNi(8)Bi(8)S] metallic wires in a novel quasi-1D compound. Synthesis, crystal and electronic structure, and properties of Ni(8)Bi(8)SI.

A new quasi-one-dimensional compound Ni(8)Bi(8)SI has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure of Ni(8)Bi(8)SI consists of [(1)infinityNi(8)Bi(8)S] columns separated by iodine atoms. Conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements (down to 4.2 K) show that Ni(8)Bi(8)SI is a one-dimensional metal and exhibits Pauli paramagnetic properties. These observations are in good agreement with the results from electronic structure calculations. An analysis of the chemical bonding employing difference electron charge density maps reveals strong multicenter Ni-Bi bonds and pair Ni-S interactions within the [(1)infinityNi(8)Bi(8)S] columns. Only electrostatic interactions are inferred between the columns and iodine atoms.