Targeting Vacancies in Nitridosilicates: Aliovalent Substitution of M2+ (M=Ca,Sr) by Sc3+ and U3+

Based on the known linking options of their fundamental building unit, that is the SiN₄ tetrahedron, nitridosilicates belong to the inorganic compound classes with the greatest structural variability. Although facilitating the discovery of novel Si–N networks, this variability represents a challenge when targeting non‐stoichometric compounds. Meeting this challenge, a strategy for targeted creation of vacancies in highly condensed nitridosilicates by exchanging divalent M²⁺ for trivalent M³⁺ using the ion exchange approach is reported. As proof of concept, the first Sc and U nitridosilicates were prepared from α‐Ca₂Si₅N₈ and Sr₂Si₅N₈. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and synchrotron single‐crystal XRD showed random vacancy distribution in Sc_0.2Ca_1.7Si₅N₈, and partial vacancy ordering in U_0.5xSr_2?0.75xSi₅N₈ with x≈1.05. The high chemical stability of U nitridosilicates makes them interesting candidates for immobilization of actinides.     

Increased Synthetic Control—Gaining Access to Predicted Mg2Si5N8 and β‐Ca2Si5N8

Nitridosilicates represent an intriguing class of materials and are typically made up of highly condensed tetrahedral network structures. Alkaline‐earth nitridosilicates emerged as unique host materials for Eu²⁺ doped luminophores which found broad application in phosphor‐converted (pc)‐LEDs. In contrast to common strategies of preparing nitridosilicates by bottom‐up syntheses, we have now succeeded to post‐synthetically design nitridosilicates by ion exchange in metal halide melts. We describe the syntheses of hitherto unknown but predicted alkaline‐earth nitridosilicates, Mg₂Si₅N₈ and β‐Ca₂Si₅N₈. Both compounds were obtained by ion exchange starting from pre‐synthesized nitridosilicates. In situ investigations of the ion‐exchange process show that the Si–N network topology remains preserved. Therefore the reaction offers a significant increase of synthetic control with respect to classical bottom‐up syntheses.     

Ba1.63La7.39Si11N23Cl0.42:Ce3+ – A Nitridosilicate Chloride with a Zeolite‐Like Structure

The nitridosilicate chloride Ba_1.63La_7.39Si₁₁N₂₃Cl_0.42:Ce³⁺ was synthesized by metathesis reaction starting from LaCl₃, BaH₂, CeF₃ and the product of the ammonolysis of Si₂Cl₆. The title compound is stable towards air and moisture. Diffraction data of a microcrystal were recorded using microfocused synchrotron radiation. X‐ray spectroscopy confirms the chemical composition of the crystal. IR spectra corroborate absence of N–H bonds. The compound is homeotypic to Ba₂Nd₇Si₁₁N₂₃ and crystallizes in space group Cmmm with a = 11.009(3), b = 23.243(8), c = 9.706(4) Å and Z = 4, R₁(all) = 0.0174. According to bond valence sum calculations, some crystallographic positions show complete occupancy by Ba or La whereas others contain significant amounts of both elements. In contrast to the structure prototype Ba₂Nd₇Si₁₁N₂₃, Ba_1.63La_7.39Si₁₁N₂₃Cl_0.42:Ce³⁺ contains chloride ions in channels of the SiN₄ tetrahedra network, hinting at various substitution possibilities of the complex zeolite‐like structure.