Edge-Sharing BO4 Tetrahedra in the Structure of Hydrothermally Synthesized Barium Borate: α-Ba3[B10O17(OH)2].

Two polymorphs of a new barium borate, α- and ß-Ba3[B10O17(OH)2], have been synthesized through hydrothermal reactions at 500 °C and 1000 bar and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 3D framework structure of the α-form is formed of two different fundamental building blocks (FBB) with the descriptors 4Δ6□:[⧄⧅]-<3□>-<2Δ□>|-<3□>-<2Δ□>| and 2Δ3□:<Δ2□>-<Δ2□>. The former FBB is unique and contains unusual edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra. The ß-form has a double layer structure which is formed of two stereoisomers of a pentaborate polyanion with the descriptor 2Δ3□:<Δ2□>-<Δ2□>. Within a double layer, one sheet composed of FBBs in l configuration is connected by sharing tetrahedral vertices to the other sheet of FBBs in d configuration. The α-form is the first compound with edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra synthesized in aqueous solution under hydrothermal conditions.

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Hydrothermal Synthesis of Ba3[B6O10(OH)2](CO3) and Ba6[B12O21(OH)2](CO3)2, Two Barium Borate Carbonates with 2D Layer and 3D Framework Structures.

Two new barium borate carbonates, Ba3[B6O10(OH)2](CO3) (1) and Ba6[B12O21(OH)2](CO3)2 (2), have been synthesized by high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal methods at 460 °C and 600 bar and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, TGA, IR, and MAS 11B NMR spectroscopy. The descriptors of the fundamental building blocks (FBB) of both structures are 2Δ4□:⟨Δ2□⟩=⟨4□⟩=⟨Δ2□⟩. The FBB of 1 has a chair conformation, and the FBBs of 2 have both chair and boat conformations. Compound 1 adopts a noncentrosymmetric 2D layer structure with the Ba2+ cations and CO32- anions between the layers, whereas compound 2 has a centrosymmetric 3D framework structure containing 9- and 10-ring channels with the Ba2+ cations and CO32- anions at the center or on the edges of the channels. The two structures are two of the few examples where the carbonate groups are isolated and occupy their own independent sites.

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Stability, and Solid State NMR Spectroscopy of an Aluminum Borate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)].

A new aluminum borate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)], has been synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions at 550 °C and 1400 bar and its structure characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and MAS 11B, and 27Al NMR spectroscopy. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 7.0695(5) Å, b = 15.108(1) Å, c = 7.0746(5) Å, ß = 93.593(2)°, and Z = 4. Its 2D layer structure is formed of corner-sharing B4O8(OH) clusters and AlO4 tetrahedra with the charge-compensating Ba2+ cations between the layers. While the same in the framework composition, the title compound and the hydrate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)]·H2O, differ greatly in structure. Although the title compound contains an OH group, it is thermally stable up to 740 °C and then decomposes into Ba2Al2B8O17, as indicated by high-temperature DSC/TG analysis and powder X-ray diffraction.

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of an Acentric Borate Fluoride: Ba2B5O9F·0.5H2O.

A new borate fluoride, Ba2B5O9F·0.5H2O, has been synthesized by high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal method, characterized by a combination of techniques and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P4̅ n2 (No. 118) and powder SHG measurements were performed to confirm the absence of a center of symmetry. Its crystal structure is formed of a new fundamental building block which shares oxygen atoms with neighboring blocks to form a 3D borate framework with 12- and 8-ring channels where the Ba2+ cations, F- anions, and water molecules are located. The structure is compared with those of minerals and synthetic borate fluoride and chlorides with similar framework compositions. The 11B MAS NMR experimental results are in accord with those from crystal structure analysis and the resonances in the spectrum are assigned. The presence of water was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, and its content and the thermal decomposition products were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction.

Two Polymorphs of an Organic-Zincophosphate Incorporating a Terephthalate Bridging Ligand in an Unusual Bonding Mode.

Two new polymorphs of a zinc phosphate incorporating the terephthalate organic ligand 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (BDC), (H2DA)Zn2(cis-BDC)(HPO4)2 (1) and (H2DA)Zn2(trans-BDC)(HPO4)2 (2), where DA = 1,7-diaminoheptane, were synthesized via a hydro(solvo)thermal method at different reaction temperatures and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, the BDC ligands, which adopt the bis-monodentate coordination model with a unusual cis type for compound 1 and with a trans linkage for compound 2, bridge the Zn atoms of the inorganic layers in the generation of two polymorphs with structural diversities (one kind of arrangement of the layered zincophosphate layer in 1; the flat and zigzag sheets of inorganic networks in 2). A simple method for tuning the optical luminescence of the title compound from blue, red, green, yellow, and pink to white emission by stirring powdered samples in lanthanide-cation-containing aqueous ethanol solutions at room temperature for 1-2 h is also presented.

Titanosilicates with Strong Phase-Matched Second Harmonic Generation Responses.

The search for new and efficient nonlinear optical (NLO) materials has been an active research because of their technological importance in laser applications. Although a large number of frequency-doubling oxides, phosphates, borates, and fluoride-containing borates were found, no transition-metal silicate with useful NLO properties has been reported. We have now synthesized and grown crystals of two new titanosilicates, Li2K4[(TiO)Si4O12] and Li2Rb4[(TiO)Si4O12], by using a flux and supercritical hydrothermal method. Their unique 3D framework structures contain highly compressed TiO5 square pyramids which are arranged one over the other to form infinite ···Ti-O···Ti-O straight chains with alternating short and long Ti-O distances. These two materials meet the requirements for efficient second harmonic generation including lack of center of inversion symmetry, large susceptibility, phase matching, transmitting at wavelengths of interest, resistant to laser damage, and thermally stable. These attributes make them very attractive for frequency-doubling materials.

Organic-inorganic hybrid zinc phosphate with 28-ring channels.

An organic-inorganic hybrid zinc phosphate with 28-ring channels was synthesized by use of an organic ligand instead of organic amine template under a hydro(solvo)thermal condition. This crystalline zinc phosphate contains large channels constructed from 28 zinc and phosphate tetrahedral units. The walls of the channels consist of two types of zincophosphate chains, in which the Zn atoms are coordinated by 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole ligands as pendent groups. This compound exhibits yellow emission and interesting properties of removing cobalt, cadmium, and mercury cations from aqueous solution. A new two-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid zincophosphate was also obtained by changing the solvent mixture ratios in the synthesis.

K2Ca4[(UO2)(Si2O7)2]: A Uranyl Silicate with a One-Dimensional Chain Structure.

A new uranyl silicate, K2Ca4[(UO2)(Si2O7)2], with a 1D chain structure has been synthesized from a solution of mixed alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal cations under hydrothermal conditions at 550 °C and 1400 bar and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1̅ (No. 2) with a = 6.6354(2) Å, b = 6.6791(2) Å, c = 9.6987(3) Å, α = 98.324(2)°, ß = 93.624(2)°, γ = 112.310(2)°, and Z = 1. Its crystal structure consists of a 1D chain of uranyl disilicate formed of corner-sharing UO6 tetragonal bipyramids and Si2O7 double groups. The adjacent chains are separated by K(+) and Ca(2+) cations. It is the first example of uranyl silicate with a 1D chain structure.

High-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and structural relationships of layered uranyl arsenates.

Five new uranyl arsenates, Na14[(UO2)5(AsO4)8]·2H2O (1), K6[(UO2)5O5(AsO4)2] (2a), K4[(UO2)3O2(AsO4)2] (2b), Rb4[(UO2)3O2(AsO4)2] (3), and Cs6[(UO2)5O2(AsO4)4] (4), were synthesized by high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal reactions at about 560 °C and 1440 bar and were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Crystal data for compound 1: triclinic, P1, a = 7.0005(3) Å, b = 12.1324(4) Å, c = 13.7428(5) Å, α = 64.175(2)°, ß = 89.092(2)°, γ = 85.548(2)°, V = 1047.26(7) Å(3), Z = 1, R1 = 0.0185; compound 2a: monoclinic, P21/c, a = 6.8615(3) Å, b = 24.702(1) Å, c = 7.1269(3) Å, ß = 98.749(2)°, V = 1193.89(9) Å(3), Z = 2, R1 = 0.0225; compound 2b: monoclinic, P21/c, a = 6.7852(3) Å, b = 17.3640(8) Å, c = 7.1151(3) Å, ß = 98.801(3)°, V = 828.42(6) Å(3), Z = 2, R1 = 0.0269; compound 3: monoclinic, P21/m, a = 6.9783(3) Å, b = 17.4513(8) Å, c = 7.0867(3) Å, ß = 90.808(3)°, V = 862.94(7) Å(3), Z = 2, R1 = 0.0269; compound 4: triclinic, P1, a = 7.7628(3) Å, b = 9.3324(4) Å, c = 11.9336(4) Å, α = 75.611(2)°, ß = 73.136(2)°, γ = 86.329(2)°, V = 801.37(5) Å(3), Z = 1, R1 = 0.0336. The five compounds have layer structures consisting of uranyl square, pentagonal, and hexagonal bipyramids as well as AsO4 tetrahedra. Compound 1 contains chains of discrete uranyl square and pentagonal bipyramids, 2a contains three-polyhedron-wide ribbons of edge- and corner-sharing uranyl square and pentagonal bipyramids, 2b and 3 contain dimers of edge-shairing pentagonal bipyramids that share edges with hexagonal bipyramids to form chains, and 4 contains one-polyhedron-wide zigzag chains of edge-sharing uranyl polyhedra. The double sheet structure of 1 is new, but the chain topology has been observed in an organically templated uranyl sulfate. Compound 2b is a new geometrical isomer of the phosphuranylite group. The sheet anion topologies of 2a and 4 can be obtained by splitting the ß-U3O8-type sheet into complex chains and connecting the chains by arsenates.

New nanostructured zinc phosphite templated by cetyltrimethylammonium cations: synthesis, crystal structure, adsorption, and photoluminescence properties.

Nanostructured zinc phosphite templated by cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA(+)) cations was synthesized using a hydro(solvo)thermal method. This is the first example of a crystalline metal phosphite containing long carbon tails of the CTA(+) ions as templates in its structure, as is structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 2D inorganic structures with 4.8(2) topologies are constructed from the interconnection of tetrahedral ZnO3Br and HPO3 units, which are sandwiched between CTA(+) ion surfactants in a packing behavior of a largely lamellar liquid-crystalline structure to extend the interlayer d spacing to 28.05 Å. Adsorption experiment shows selective adsorption properties of 1-naphthol and a adsorption capacity of 0.17 mmol/mmol (CTA)ZnBr(HPO3). This compound has potential as an adsorbent for the removal of 1-naphthol pollutant from wastewater. In addition, the naphthol-adsorbed sample shows interesting luminescent properties that are different from that of an as-synthesized sample. The crystal structure, thermal stability, IR spectrum, adsorption, and photoluminescence properties have been studied.

Enhanced performance of benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene (BTT)-based bottom-contact thin-film transistors.

Three new benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene (BTT; 1) derivatives, which were end-functionalized with phenyl (BTT-P; 2), benzothiophenyl (BTT-BT; 3), and benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophenyl groups (BBTT; 4; dimer of 1), were synthesized and characterized in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). A new and improved synthetic method for BTTs was developed, which enabled the efficient realization of new BTT-based semiconductors. The crystal structure of BBTT was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Within this family, BBTT, which had the largest conjugation of the BTT derivatives in this study, exhibited the highest p-channel characteristic, with a carrier mobility as high as 0.22 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and a current on/off ratio of 1×10(7) , as well as good ambient stability for bottom-contact/bottom-gate OTFT devices. The device characteristics were correlated with the film morphologies and microstructures of the corresponding compounds.

Mixed-valence uranium(V,VI) and uranyl oxyhydroxides synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions: Na5[U5O16(OH)2] and Na5[U5O17(OH)].

An unusaul mixed-valence uranium(V,VI) oxyhydroxide, Na5[U5O16(OH)2], was synthesized via reduction of UO2(2+) with zinc under hydrothermal conditions at 570 °C and 150 MPa. Its structure consists of extended sheets of edge-sharing U(VI) pentagonal bipyramids and U(V) square bipyramids. The overall anion topology is the same as that of the uranyl mineral sayrite, but the squares are populated by U(V)(OH)2(3+) ions. The valence state of uranium was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A hydrothermal reaction without zinc under the same reaction conditions yielded a uranyl oxyhydroxide, Na5[U5O17(OH)], with a new sheet structure. The sheet anion topology, which is closely related to that of the mixed-valence compound, contains chains of edge-sharing pentagons as well as dimers of corner-sharing squares.

Flux synthesis, crystal structure, and photoluminescence of a heterometallic uranyl-europium germanate with U═O-Eu linkage: K4[(UO2)Eu2(Ge2O7)2].

Crystals of a uranyl-europium germanate, K4[(UO2)Eu2(Ge2O7)2], have been grown at high temperature from a KF-MoO3 flux and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure contains PaCl5-type chains formed of edge-sharing EuO7 pentagonal bipyramids that are connected by digermanate groups such that layers of europium germanate are formed. Neighboring layers are further linked by UO6 tetragonal bipyramids through uranyl ion oxygen atoms to generate a 3D framework with 6-ring channels where the K(+) cations are located. The structure contains an unusual heterometallic U═O-Eu linkage. Photoluminescence studies show strong red emission at room temperature. The relative intensities of the (5)D0 → (7)F1 and (5)D0 → (7)F2 transitions confirm that the europium site lacks an inversion center. All of the emission lines show similar decay curves, which can be well-fitted by a single exponential decay function with radiative lifetimes of 0.53 ± 0.03 ms. No emission is observed in the region from 450 to 550 nm typical of the uranyl cation, indicating that, upon uranyl excitation, the energy is either transferred to the Eu(3+) centers or lost to nonradiative processes.

High-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a salt-inclusion mixed-valence uranium(V,VI) silicate: [Na9F2][(U(V)O2)(U(VI)O2)2(Si2O7)2].

A salt-inclusion mixed-valence uranium(V,VI) silicate, [Na9F2][(U(V)O2)(U(VI)O2)2(Si2O7)2], was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 585 °C and 160 MPa and structurally characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The valence states of uranium were established by U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The structure contains two-dimensional (2D) sheets of uranyl disilicate with the composition [UO2Si2O7], which are connected by U(1)(V)O6 tetragonal bipyramids to form thick layers. The Na(+) cations are located at sites in the intralayer and interlayer regions. In addition to Na(+) cations, the interlayer region also contains F(-) anions such that infinite chains with the formula FNa1/1Na4/2 are formed. The same type of chain was observed in K2SnO3. The title compound is not only the first example of salt-inclusion metal silicate synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions, as well as the first salt-inclusion mixed-valence uranium silicate, but it is also the first mixed-valence uranium(V,VI) silicate in the literature. Crystal data: [Na9F2][(U(V)O2)(U(VI)O2)2(Si2O7)2], triclinic, P1 (No. 2), a = 5.789(1) Å, b = 7.423(2) Å, c = 12.092(2) Å, α = 90.75(3)°, ß = 96.09(3)°, γ = 90.90(3)°, V = 516.5(2) Å(3), Z = 1, R1 = 0.0241, and wR2 = 0.0612.

High-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures, and spectroscopic studies of a uranium(IV) phosphate (Na10U2P6O24) and the isotypic cerium(IV) phosphate (Na10Ce2P6O24).

A uranium(IV) phosphate, Na10U2P6O24, was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 570 °C and 160 MPa and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The valence state of uranium was established by UV-vis and U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The powder sample has a second-harmonic-generation signal, confirming the absence of a center of symmetry in the structure. The structure contains UO8 snub-disphenoidal polyhedra that are linked to monophosphate tetrahedra by vertex and edge sharing such that a three-dimensional framework with intersecting 12-sided circular and rectangular channels is formed. All 10 sodium sites are situated inside the channels and are fully occupied. This is the first uranium(IV) phosphate synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions. The isotypic cerium(IV) phosphate, Na10Ce2P6O24, was also synthesized under the same hydrothermal conditions. It is the first structurally characterized Ce(IV) phosphate with a P/Ce ratio of 3. Crystal data of Na10U2P6O24: orthorhombic, P212121 (No. 19), a = 6.9289(3) Å, b = 16.1850(7) Å, c = 18.7285(7) Å, V = 2100.3(2) Å(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0304, and wR2 = 0.0522. Crystal data of Na10Ce2P6O24: orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1) (No. 19), a = 6.9375(14) Å, b = 16.215(3) Å, c = 18.765(4) Å, V = 2111.0(7) Å(3), Z = 4, R1 = 0.0202, and wR2 = 0.0529.

(C8H22N4Zn)2Ge7O14(OH)F3: a one-dimensional zinc germanate containing hollow columns with an 18-membered window.

A new zinc germanate incorporating a tetradentate amine ligand has been synthesized by the solvothermal method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, solid-state (19)F NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and IR spectroscopy. Its structure contains close-packed hollow columns with an 18-membered window, each of which contains six one-dimensional chains formed of Ge(7)X(19) (X = O, OH, F) clusters connected to zinc complexes.

Cs3UGe7O18: a pentavalent uranium germanate containing four- and six-coordinate germanium.

A pentavalent uranium germanate, Cs(3)UGe(7)O(18), was synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions at 585 °C and 160 MPa and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The valence state of uranium was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. The room-temperature EPR spectrum can be simulated with two components using an axial model that are consistent with two distinct sites of uranium(V). In the structure of the title compound, each ([6])GeO(6) octahedron is bonded to six three-membered single-ring ([4])Ge(3)O(9)(6-) units to form germanate triple layers in the ab plane. Each layer contains nine-ring windows; however, these windows are blocked by adjacent layers. The triple layers are further connected by UO(6) octahedra to form a three-dimensional framework with intersecting six-ring channels along the <1 ̅10> directions. The Cs(+) cation sites are fully occupied, ordered, and located in the cavities of the framework. Pentavalent uranium germanates or silicates are very rare, and only two uranium silicates and one germanate analogue have been published. However, all of them are iso-structural with those of the Nb or Ta analogues. In contrast, the title compound adopts a new structural type and contains both four- and six-coordinate germanium. Crystal data of Cs(3)UGe(7)O(18): trigonal, P3̅c1 (No. 165), a = 12.5582(4) Å, c = 19.7870(6) Å, V = 2702.50(15) Å(3), Z = 6, D(calc) = 5.283 g·cm(-3), µ(Mo Kα) = 26.528 mm(-1), R(1) = 0.0204, wR(2) = 0.0519 for 1958 reflections with I > 2σ(I). GooF = 1.040, ρ(max,min) = 1.018, and -1.823 e·Å(-3).

Mixed-valence uranium germanate and silicate: Cs(x)(U(V)O)(U(IV/V)O)2(Ge2O7)2 (x = 3.18) and Cs4(U(V)O)(U(IV/V)O)2(Si2O7)2.

A new mixed-valence uranium germanate and the silicate analogue have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 600 °C and 165 MPa. Their crystal structures contain infinite -U(V)-O-U(IV/V)-O-U(IV/V)-O-U(V)- chains that are connected by Ge(2)O(7) or Si(2)O(7) groups to form a 3D framework with six-ring channels where the Cs(+) cations are located. Two of the Cs sites in the germanate are partially occupied. Bond-valence-sum calculation and an U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study confirm the valence states of the uranium.

Cs2USi6O15: a tetravalent uranium silicate.

A uranium(IV) silicate has been synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions. The structure consists of unbranched dreier single layers with the composition [Si(2)O(5)] that are connected by UO(6) octahedra to form a 3D framework with 7-ring channels where the Cs(+) cations are located. Each UO(6) octahedron spans four neighboring dreier single chains and, therefore, introduces a high degree of corrugation in the silicate layers. The U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum was measured to confirm the valence state of the uranium. A comparison of related metal silicate structures is made. After the synthesis of this compound, all members in the family of uranium silicates and germanates with oxidation states of uranium from 4+ to 6+ have been observed.

Cs4UGe8O20: a tetravalent uranium germanate containing four- and five-coordinate germanium.

A very rare tetravalent uranium germanate has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 585 °C and 160 MPa. Its structure contains layers of single-ring Ge(3)O(9)(6-) germanate anions that are connected by UO(6) octahedra and dimers of edge-sharing GeO(5) trigonal bipyramids to form a three-dimensional framework with intersecting 6- and 7-ring channels. UV-visible, photoluminescence, and U 4f X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the valence state of uranium.