Synthesis,structures and luminescence of two new Europium(II) Silicate-Chlorides,Eu2SiO3Cl2 and Eu5SiO4Cl6

Eu₂SiO₃Cl₂ and Eu₅SiO₄Cl₆ were prepared by reaction of EuCl₂ with EuSiO₃ and Eu₂SiO₄, respectively, Sr₂SiO₃Cl₂: Eu²⁺ from mixtures of SrCO₃, Eu₂O₃, SrCl₂ · 6H₂O and SiO₂ under reducing conditions. The crystal structures of Eu₂SiO₃Cl₂ [a = 1118.7(5), c = 952.6(1) pm, tetragonal, I4/m, Z = 8, R = 3.3, R_w = 3.0%] and Eu₅SiO₄Cl₆ [a = 900.4(1), b = 1401.7(2), c = 1112.3(2) pm, β = 103.51(1)°, monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, R = 3.6, R_w = 2.6%] were determined from four-circle diffractometer data and compared with related compounds. The luminescence properties were investigated at 300 K and at 4.2 K; all compounds show intense bluish-green photoluminescence. Sr₂SiO₃Cl₂:Eu²⁺ shows thermoluminescence.