Thiophosphates Containing Ag+ and Lone-Pair Cations with Interchiral Double Helix Show Both Ionic Conductivity and Phase Transition.

Quaternary metal thiophosphates containing second-order Jahn-Teller distorted d10 Ag+ and lone-pair cations, Ag3Bi(PS4)2 (1), Ag7Sn(PS4)3 (2), and Ag7Pb(PS4)3 (3), were obtained by solid-state synthesis. The structural frameworks of 2 and 3 feature an infinite 1-D interchiral double helix ∞1(Ag3P2S11), which is rare in inorganic compounds. Compound 3 undergoes a significant first-order structural phase transition from monoclinic to hexagonal at ∼204 °C. This can be ascribed to the significant mismatch in the expansion coefficients between Pb-S (Ag-S) and P-S bonds evaluated by bond valence theory. The three compounds are Ag+ ionic conductors, and Ag+ ion migration pathways are proposed by calculating maps of low bond valence mismatch. Moreover, the optical properties of the three compounds were studied, and electronic structure calculations were performed. The combination of second-order Jahn-Teller distorted d10 cation and lone-pair cation provides a new strategy to explore new metal thiophosphates with interesting structures and promising properties.

Nitrogen-Rich Tetranuclear Metal Complex as a New Structural Motif for Energetic Materials.

For designing energetic materials (EMs), the most challenging issue is to achieve a balance between energetic performance and reliable stability. In this work, we employed an efficient and convenient method to synthesize a new class of EMs: nitrogen-rich tetranuclear metal complexes [M(Hdtim)(H2O)2]4 (M = Zn 1, Mn 2; H3dtim = 1H-imidazol-4,5-tetrazole) with the N content of >46%. The structural analyses illustrate that isomorphous compounds 1 and 2 feature isolated hollow ellipsoid tetranuclear units, which are linked by both π-π interactions and hydrogen-bonding interactions to give a 3D supramolecular architecture. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit prominent energetic characteristics: excellent detonation performances and reliable thermal, impact, and friction stabilities. Being nitrogen-rich tetrazolate compounds, the enthalpies of combustion of 1 (-11.570 kJ g-1) and 2 (-12.186 kJ g-1) are higher than those of classical EMs, RDX and HMX, and they possess high positive heats of formation. Sensitivity tests demonstrate that 1 and 2 are insensitive to external mechanical action. Excellent energetic performances and low sensitivities promote 1 and 2 to serve as a new class of promising EMs with a desirable level of safety.

Phase Transition and Second Harmonic Generation in Thiophosphates Ag2Cd(P2S6) and AgCd3(PS4)S2 Containing Two Second-Order Jahn-Teller Distorted Cations.

Two new phases in the Ag-Cd-P-S system containing two second-order Jahn-Teller (SOJT) distorted d10 cations (Cd2+ and Ag+), namely, Ag2Cd(P2S6) (1) and AgCd3(PS4)S2 (2), are obtained via medium-temperature solid-state synthesis. Compound 1 exhibits a two-dimensional layered structure and undergoes a first-order structural phase transition at approximately 280 °C. This outcome can be ascribed to the significant mismatch in the expansion coefficients between Cd-S (Ag-S) and P-P (P-S) bonds evaluated through bond valence theory. The three-dimensional non-centrosymmetric (NCS) framework of 2 is constructed by two types of tetrahedral layers consisting of corner-shared CdS4, AgS4, and PS4 tetrahedra. Compound 2 exhibits second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity of 0.45 times that of commercial AgGaS2 (AGS) at a laser irradiation of 1.85 µm and an optical band gap of 2.56 eV, and no intrinsic vibrational absorption of chemical bonds is observed in the range of 2.5-18.2 µm. Both phase transition in 1 and SHG properties in 2 are closely related to the SOJT distorted d10 cations and diverse phosphorus-sulfur polyanions (PaSb)n-, which together can easily result in NCS distorted structures and interesting properties.

Syntheses, structures, and nonlinear-optical properties of metal sulfides Ba2Ga8MS16 (M = Si, Ge).

Two new metal sulfides, Ba(2)Ga(8)MS(16) (M = Si, Ge), have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions. They are isostructural and crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric space group P6(3)mc (No. 186) with a = 10.866(5) Å, c = 11.919(8) Å, and z = 2 for Ba(2)Ga(8)SiS(16) (1) and a = 10.886(8) Å, c = 11.915(3) Å, and z = 2 for Ba(2)Ga(8)GeS(16) (2). Their three-dimensional frameworks are constructed by corner-sharing mixed (Ga/M)S(4) (M = Si, Ge) and pure GaS(4) tetrahedra, with Ba(2+) cations filling in the tunnels. Compounds 1 and 2 are transparent over 0.42-20 µm and have wide band gaps of around 3.4 and 3.0 eV, respectively. Polycrystalline 2 displays strong nonlinear second-harmonic-generation (SHG) intensities that are comparable to that of the benchmark AgGaS(2) (AGS) with phase-matching behavior at a laser irradiation of 1950 nm. Of particular interest, compound 2 also possesses a high powder laser-induced damage threshold of ∼22 times that of AGS. The alternate stacking of the mixed (Ga/M)S(4) (M = Si, Ge) tetrahedral layer with the pure GaS(4) tetrahedral layer along the c axis and the alignment of these two types of tetrahedra in the same direction may be responsible for the large SHG signals observed.

Novel thioarsenates {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)][Mn(2,2'-bipy)](As(V)S4)}2 and {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)]2[As(III)2(S2)2S2]}: introducing an anionic second ligand to modify MnII complex cations of 2,2'-bipyridine.

Two novel manganese thioarsenates, {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)][Mn(2,2'-bipy)](As(V)S4)}2 (1, 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)]2[As(III)2(S2)2S2]} (2), containing thiocyanate-modified Mn-2,2'-bipy complex cations were synthesized. They feature two terminal [Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)](+) complex cations bridged by a polyanion {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)]2(As(V)S4)2}(2-) for 1 and a cyclic thioarsenate anion (As(III)2S6)(2-) for 2. In 2, the [As(III)2(S2)2S2](2-) anion can be described as two (As(III)S3)(3-) trigonal-pyramids interlinked through S-S bonds. The method to obtain new metal complex cations shown here, introducing an anionic second ligand to modify the number of coordination sites and the charges of the metal complex cations simultaneously, is different from the traditional methods, varying either the TM center or the organic ligand or employing mixed neutral organic ligands, and may open up a new route for preparing novel chalcogenidometalates. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit wide optical gaps of 2.20 and 2.67 eV, respectively, and photoluminescence with the emission maxima occurring around 440 nm. Magnetic measurements show the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn(II) centers in the two compounds.

Homochiral zinc(II) coordination compounds based on in-situ-generated chiral amino acid-tetrazole ligands: circular dichroism, excitation light-induced tunable photoluminescence, and energetic performance.

We employed two pairs of new in-situ-generated chiral amino acid-tetrazole ligands in constructing homochiral Zn(II) coordination compounds: [Zn(tzet)]n (1a for (S)-tzet and 1b for (R)-tzet, H2tzet = N-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]tryptophan) and [Zn(tzep)(H2O)2]·H2O (2a for (S)-tzep and 2b for (R)-tzep, H2tzep = N-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]proline), which were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analysis reveals that 1 features a 2D homochiral framework generated by both tetrazolate and carboxylate bridges in tzet(2-) ligands. The isolated structure of 2 is stabilized by extensive hydrogen bonds, which leads to formation of a supramolecular 2D architecture. The absolute configuration induced at the nitrogen atoms of 1 and 2 is strictly related to the neighboring chiral carbon atoms by hydrogen-bond interactions. To further investigate their chirality, the combined experimental and theoretical analyses of circular dichroism spectra reveal the absolute configurations and nature of the Cotton effects. Solid-state excitation and emission spectra for 1 and 2 at room temperature were investigated with relevant density of states calculation, and tunable photoluminescence emission of 1 under different excitation wavelengths was discussed. As nitrogen-rich tetrazolate compounds, 1 and 2 possess higher enthalpies of combustion and may serve as a new family of promising energetic materials.

Novel single-crystal's voltage-dependent effect and magnetic order of Ln2ZrQ5 (Ln = La, Sm, Gd; Q = S, Se) semiconductors.

A series of rare-earth zirconium chalcogenides Ln(2)ZrQ(5) (Ln = La, Sm, Gd; Q = S, Se) synthesized by using boron as the reducing reagent show unprecedented single-crystal's intrinsic voltage-dependent effects and order antiferromagnetically.

Structural diversity, optical and magnetic properties of a series of manganese thioarsenates with 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridine ligands: using monodentate methylamine as an alkalinity regulator.

The exploration in two hydro(solvo)thermal reaction systems As/S/Mn(2+)/phen/methylamine aqueous solution and As/S/Mn(2+)/2,2'-bipy/H(2)O affords five new manganese thioarsenates with diverse structures, namely, (CH(3)NH(3)){[Mn(phen)(2)](As(V)S(4))}·phen (1 and 1'), (CH(3)NH(3))(2){[Mn(phen)](2)(As(V)S(4))(2)} (2), {[Mn(phen)(2)](As(III)(2)S(4))}(n) (3), {[Mn(phen)](3)(As(III)S(3))(2)}·H(2)O (4), and {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2)(As(V)S(4))}[As(III)S(S(5))] (5). Compound 1 comprises a {[Mn(phen)(2)](As(V)S(4))}(-) complex anion, a monoprotonated methylamine cation and a phen molecule. Compound 2 contains a butterfly like {[Mn(phen)](2)(As(V)S(4))(2)}(2-) anion charge compensated by two monoprotonated methylamine cations. Compound 3 is a neutral chain formed by a helical (1)(∞)(As(III)S(2)(-)) vierer chain covalently bonds to [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complexes via all its terminal S atoms. Compound 4 features a neutral chain showing the stabilization of noncondensed (As(III)S(3))(3-) anions in the coordination of [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complex cations. Compound 5 features a mixed-valent As(III)/As(V) character and an interesting chalcogenidometalates structure, where a polycation formed by the connection of two [Mn(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2+) complex cation and a (As(V)S(4))(3-) anion acts as a countercation for a polythioarsenate anion, [As(III)S(S(5))](-). The title compounds exhibit optical gaps in the range 1.58-2.48 eV and blue photoluminescence. Interestingly, compound 1 displays a weak second harmonic generation (SHG) response being about 1/21 times of KTP (KTiOPO(4)). Magnetic measurements show paramagnetic behavior for 1 and dominant antiferromagnetic behavior for 2-5. Of particular interest is 4, which is the first manganese chalcogenide showing spin-canting characteristic.

Different effects of a cotemplate and [(transition-metal)(1,10-phenanthroline)(m)]2+ (m = 1-3) complex cations on the self-assembly of a series of hybrid selenidostannates showing combined optical properties of organic and inorganic components.

1,10-Phenanthroline (phen) and monoprotonated methylamine molecules were used as a novel cotemplate to direct the formation of a new inorganic-organic hybrid selenidostannate, (CH(3)NH(3))(4)(Sn(2)Se(6))·6phen (1); while the utilization of three types of transition-metal (TM) phen complex cations with the TM/phen ration of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 as structure directors affords {[Mn(phen)(2)](2)(µ(2)-Sn(2)Se(6))}·H(2)O (2a), {[Fe(phen)(2)](2)(µ(2)-Sn(2)Se(6))} (2b), {[Mn(phen)](2)(µ(4)-Sn(2)Se(6))}(n) (3), {[Mn(phen)(2)](Sn(2)Se(5))}(n) (4), and [Fe(phen)(3)](n)(Sn(3)Se(7))(n)·1.25nH(2)O (5). These compounds show diverse structures with the selenidostannate anions varying from discrete, µ(2)- and µ(4)- (Sn(2)Se(6))(4-) anions, to one-dimensional (1-D) (1)(∞)(Sn(2)Se(5)(2-)) anionic chains, and two-dimensional (2-D) extended (2)(∞)(Sn(3)Se(7)(2-)) anionic layers, demonstrating different structure-directing abilities of the cotemplate and the three types of TM phen complex cations. This work clearly indicates that the approach of modifying the number of the free coordination sites of unsaturated TM phen complex cations is very exciting as a way to synthesize novel hybrid chalcogenidometalates. Of particular interest, the present compounds exhibit interesting optical properties that reflect the combined effects of both photoluminescence-active organic components and semiconducting inorganic chalcogenidometalate anionic networks.

Stabilization of noncondensed (As(III)S3)(3-) anions by coordinating to [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complex cations: a mixed-valent thioarsenate (III, V) {[Mn(phen)]3(As(V)S4)(As(III)S3)}(n)·nH2O showing the coexistence of antiferromagnetic order, photoluminescence, and nonlinear optical properties.

A novel one-dimensional (1-D) mixed-valent thioarsenate (III, V), {[Mn(phen)](3)(As(V)S(4))(As(III)S(3))}(n)·nH(2)O (1), with a noncentrosymmetric (NCS) polar packing arrangement has been obtained under solvothermal conditions. The noncondensed (As(III)S(3))(3-) anion in 1 is stabilized by coordinating to [Mn(II)(phen)](2+) complex cations and exhibits an unprecedented µ(3)-1,2κS:2,3κS':3κS'' linkage mode. Compound 1 represents the first example of the stabilization of noncondensed (MQ(3))(3-) (M = As, Sb; Q = S, Se) species only in the coordination of TM(II) complex cations (TM = transition-metal) and the first observation of the coexistence of the (As(V)S(4))(3-) tetrahedron and the noncondensed (As(III)S(3))(3-) pyramid in a single compound. Of particular interest, compound 1 is also an antiferromagnet with T(N) = 31 K, and exhibits photoluminescence (PL) with a maximum emission at about 438 nm and a second harmonic generation (SHG) response.

Inorganic supramolecular compounds with 3-D chiral frameworks show potential as both mid-IR second-order nonlinear optical and piezoelectric materials.

Two inorganic supramolecular compounds, (Hg(6)P(3))(In(2)Cl(9)) (1) and (Hg(8)As(4))(Bi(3)Cl(13)) (2), which have chiral 3-D host frameworks with guest moieties filling the helical tunnels, have been synthesized. They both have large second-harmonic generation efficiencies, and compound 2 also exhibits obvious single-crystal piezoelectric performance. Theoretical studies from first-principles calculations were performed on their nonlinear optical (NLO) and piezoelectric properties, and results indicate that good NLO and piezoelectric materials can be obtained by designing both complicated polycations and polyanions with large molecular polarizability as functional components rather than traditional single polyanions.

Spontaneous chiral resolution, nonlinear optical and luminescence of eight-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes.

The first eight-coordinated trivalent lanthanide complexes with an achiral ligand 6,7-dicyanodipyridoquinoxaline (dicnq), [DyCl(3)(dicnq)(2)](n) (1 and 1') were found to exhibit spontaneous chiral resolution, SHG active (two times that of KDP) and blue luminescence.

A facile approach to hexanary chalcogenoborate featuring a 3-D chiral honeycomb-like open-framework constructed from rare-earth consolidating thiogallate-closo-dodecaborate.

A novel chiral open-framework structural hexanary chalcogenoborate, (K(3)I)[SmB(12)(GaS(4))(3)] (1), was obtained by a facile approach using boron as the reducing reagent; it shows weak SHG-activity and is transparent in the mid-IR region.

A series of new infrared NLO semiconductors, ZnY6Si2S14, Al(x)Dy3(Si(y)Al(1-y))S7, and Al0.33Sm3SiS7.

Four new quaternary isostructural rare-earth thiosilicates, ZnY(6)Si(2)S(14) (1), Al(0.50)Dy(3)(Si(0.50)Al(0.50))S(7) (2), Al(0.38)Dy(3)(Si(0.85)Al(0.15))S(7) (3), and Al(0.33)Sm(3)SiS(7) (4), crystallized in the chiral and polar space group P6(3), have been prepared by a facile synthetic routine. Compounds 1-3 show strong second harmonic generation effects at 2.1 um with the intensities of 1, 2, and 3 being about 2, 2, and 1 times that of KTP (KTiOPO(4)), respectively. The calculated band structure of 1 implies that the optical absorptions of BLn(6)M(2)Q(14) and ALn(3)MQ(7) family compounds are mainly ascribed to the charge transitions from Q-p to Ln-4f (4d for Y) states. Compounds 2-4 exhibit antiferromagnetic-like interactions.

Novel 3-D PtS-like tetrazolate-bridged manganese(II) complex exhibiting spin-canted antiferromagnetism and field-induced spin-flop transition.

Two novel manganese(II) tetrazolate coordination polymers, Mn 3(Hbta) 4(mu 2 -OH) 2(H 2O).2H 2O ( 1) and Mn(bta)(H 2O) ( 2), were obtained by the hydrothermal reaction of MnCl 2.4H 2O with N, N-bis[1(2) H-tetrazol-5-yl]amine (H 2bta) in different pH values. Compound 1 exhibits a 2-D (4,4) layer structure, which is built from binuclear Mn 2(mu 2-OH) 2 subunits and mu 3-bridging Hbta (-) linkers. Compound 2 is a helical framework, and its 3-D PtS-like net is constructed by Mn 2(bta) 2 dimers and mu 5-bridging bta (2-) linkers. Magnetic measurements reveal that compound 1 displays an antiferromagnetic ordering, while compound 2 exhibits the coexistence of a spin-canted antiferromagnetic coupling and a field-induced spin-flop transition.

Nonlinear optical and ferroelectric properties of a 3-D Cd(II) triazolate complex with a novel (6(3))2(6(10) x 8(5)) topology.

A novel 3-D (3,6)-connected topological architecture, obtained by reacting Cd(ClO4)2 x 6H2O with Htrtr (Htrtr = 3-(1,2,4-triazole-4-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole) under solvothermal conditions, presents a non-centrosymmetric polar packing arrangement, resulting in a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) response and ferroelectric property.

A novel metal-organic network with high thermal stability: nonlinear optical and photoluminescent properties.

A novel zinc(II) 4-(5H-tetrazol)benzoic coordination polymer with an in situ generated tetrazole ligand exhibits the gsi (gamma-silicon) topology and high thermal stability; this compound possesses second-order nonlinear optical and interesting heat-induced photoluminescent properties.

Synthesis, crystal and band structures, and optical properties of a new mixed-framework mercury selenide diselenite, (Hg3Se2)(Se2O5).

A new mixed-framework mercury selenide diselenite, (Hg(3)Se(2))(Se(2)O(5)) (1), has been prepared by a solid-state reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure of 1 consists of parallel stair-like cationic (Hg(3)Se(2))(2+) chains, which are bridged by (Se(2)O(5))(2-) anionic groups to form a novel 2-D layered mixed-framework. The optical properties were investigated in terms of the diffuse reflectance and microscopic infrared spectra. The electronic band structure along with density of states (DOS) calculated by the DFT method indicates that compound 1 is a semiconductor, and that the optical absorption of 1 is mainly ascribed to the charge transitions from the O-2p and Se(-II)-4p states to the Se(IV)-4p and Hg-6s states.

Synthesis, crystal and band structures, and properties of a new mixed three-dimensional framework metal pnictidehalide semiconductor, (Hg6Sb4)(CdI6).

A new, quaternary mercury and cadmium pnictidehalide semiconductor (Hg6Sb4)(CdI6) (1) has been prepared by the solid-state reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group R-3c of the rhombohedral system with four formula units in a cell: a=13.3818(9) A, alpha=90.93 degrees, and V=2395.3(3) A3. The crystal structural novelty of 1 derives from the fact that a 3-D mercury antimonide cationic network interpenetrates with an unusual 3-D cadmium iodide octahedral anionic network through the weak covalent interactions between mercury and iodine atoms to form a mixed 3-D framework. Among them, the cationic moiety features a perovskite-like 3-D network while the anionic moiety is characterized by a 3-D I6 octahedral anionic network with two-thirds I6 octahedra being occupied by Cd atoms. The optical properties were investigated in terms of the diffuse reflectance and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The electronic band structure along with density of states calculated by the density functional theory method indicates that compound 1 is a semiconductor with a direct band gap and that the optical absorption of 1 is mainly ascribed to the charge transitions from I-5p and Sb-5p states to Cd-5s and Hg-6s states.