The modulated low-temperature structure of malayaite, CaSnOSiO4.

The crystal structure of the mineral malayaite has been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at a temperature of 20 K and by calculation of its phonon dispersion using density functional perturbation theory. The X-ray diffraction data show first-order satellite diffraction maxima at positions q = 0.2606 (8)b*, that are absent at room temperature. The computed phonon dispersion indicates unstable modes associated with dynamic displacements of the Ca atoms. The largest-frequency modulus of these phonon instabilities is located close to a wavevector of q = 0.3b*. These results indicate that the malayaite crystal structure is incommensurately modulated by static displacement of the Ca atoms at low temperatures, caused by the softening of an optic phonon with Bg symmetry.

Crystal structure of Cr-bearing Mg3BeAl8O16, a new polytype of magnesiotaaffeite-2N'2S.

The crystal structure of a new polytype of magnesiotaaffeite-2N'2S, ideally Mg3BeAl8O16 (trimagnesium beryllium octa-aluminium hexa-deca-oxide), is described in space-group symmetry P-3m1. It has been identified in a fragment of a mineral sample from Burma (Myanmar). The new polytype is composed of two Mg2Al4O8 (S)- and two BeMgAl4O8 (N')-modules in a stacking sequence N'SSN'' which differs from the N'SN'S-stacking sequence of the known magnesiotaaffeite-2N'2S polytype. The crystal structure can be derived from a close-packed arrangement of O atoms and is discussed with regard to its polytypism and its Cr(3+) chromophore content.

Polarization dependent high energy resolution X-ray absorption study of dicesium uranyl tetrachloride.

Dicesium uranyl tetrachloride (Cs2UO2Cl4) has been a model compound for experimental and theoretical studies of electronic structure of U(VI) in the form of UO2(2+) (uranyl ion) for decades. We have obtained angle-resolved electronic structure information for oriented Cs2UO2Cl4 crystal, specifically relative energies of 5f and 6d valence orbitals probed with extraordinary energy resolution by polarization dependent high energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure (PD-HR-XANES) and compare these with predictions from quantum chemical Amsterdam density functional theory (ADF) and ab initio real space multiple-scattering Green's function based FEFF codes. The obtained results have fundamental value but also demonstrate an experimental approach, which offers great potential to benchmark and drive improvement in theoretical calculations of electronic structures of actinide elements.

Highly distorted uranyl ion coordination and one/two-dimensional structural relationship in the Ba2[UO2(TO4)2] (T = P, As) system: an experimental and computational study.

Uranium compounds α-Ba2[UO2(PO4)2] (1), ß-Ba2[UO2(PO4)2] (2), and Ba2[UO2(AsO4)2] (3) were synthesized by H3BO3/B2O3 flux reactions, though boron is not incorporated into the structures. Phases 1 and 2 are topologically identical, but 1 is heavily distorted with respect to 2. An unusual UO7 pentagonal bipyramid occurs in 1, exhibiting a highly distorted equatorial configuration and significant bending of the uranyl group, due to edge-sharing with one neighboring PO4(3-) tetrahedron. Compound 2 contains more normal square bipyramids that share corners with four neighboring PO4(3-) tetrahedra, but the uranyl cation UO2(2+) is tilted relative to the equatorial plane. Experimental evidence as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that 1 is more stable than 2. In theory, 1 and 2 can interconvert by forming/releasing the shared edge between the uranyl polyhedron and the phosphate tetrahedron. Similar fundamental building blocks in ß-Ba2[UO2(PO4)2] and Ba2[UO2(AsO4)2] indicate a possible evolution of uranyl-based structures from chain to layer type and formation of an accretional series.

Novel fundamental building blocks and site dependent isomorphism in the first actinide borophosphates.

Three novel uranyl borophosphates, Ag2(NH4)3[(UO2)2{B3O(PO4)4(PO4H)2}]H2O (AgNBPU-1), Ag(2-x)(NH4)3[(UO2)2{B2P5O(20-x)(OH)x}] (x = 1.26) (AgNBPU-2), and Ag(2-x)(NH4)3[(UO2)2{B2P(5-y)AsyO(20-x)(OH)x}] (x = 1.43, y = 2.24) (AgNBPU-3), have been prepared by the H3BO3-NH4H2PO4/NH4H2AsO4 flux method. The structure of AgNBPU-1 has an unprecedented fundamental building block (FBB), composed of three BO4 and six PO4 tetrahedra which can be written as 9□:[Φ] □<3□>□|□<3□>□|□<3□>□|. Two Ag atoms are linearly coordinated; the coordination of a third one is T-shaped. AgNBPU-2 and AgNBPU-3 are isostructural and possess a FBB of two BO4 and five TO4 (T = P, As) tetrahedra (7□:□<4□>□|□). AgNBPU-3 is a solid solution with some PO4 tetrahedra of the AgNBPU-2 end-member being substituted by AsO4. Only two out of the three independent P positions are partially occupied by As, resulting in site dependent isomorphism. The three compounds represent the first actinide borophosphates.

High structural complexity of potassium uranyl borates derived from high-temperature/high-pressure reactions.

Three new potassium uranyl borates, K12[(UO2)19(UO4)(B2O5)2(BO3)6(BO2OH)O10] ·nH2O (TPKBUO-1), K4[(UO2)5(BO3)2O4]·H2O (TPKBUO-2), and K15[(UO2)18(BO3)7O15] (TPKBUO-3), were synthesized under high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. In all three compounds, the U/B ratio exceeds 1. Boron exhibits BO3 coordination only, which is different from other uranyl borates prepared at room temperature or under mild hydrothermal conditions. A rare uranium(VI) tetraoxide core UO4O2, which is coordinated by two BO3 groups, is observed in the structure of TPKBUO-1. Both structures of TPKBUO-1 and TPKBUO-3 contain three different coordination environments of uranium, namely, UO4O2, UO2O4, and UO2O5 and UO2O4, UO2O5, and UO2O6 bipyramids in TPKBUO-1 and TPKBUO-3, respectively.

Rich coordination of Nd3+ in Mg2Nd13(BO3)8(SiO4)4(OH)3, derived from high-pressure/high-temperature conditions.

A neodymium borosilicate, Mg(2)Nd(13)(BO(3))(8)(SiO(4))(4)(OH)(3) (MgNdBSi-1), was obtained from a high-temperature (1400 °C), solid-state reaction under high-pressure conditions (4.5 GPa). MgNdBSi-1 contains six different types of Nd(3+) coordination environments with three different ligands: BO(3), SiO(4), and OH groups. Mg(2+) cations are only bond to BO(3) groups and form porous two-dimensional layers based on 12-membered ring fragments. Surprisingly, the OH groups are retained at high temperature and reside at the center of Mg-BO(3) rings.

Complex clover cross-sectioned nanotubules exist in the structure of the first uranium borate phosphate.

An actinide borate phosphate was prepared via a high temperature solid-state reaction. This phase exhibits unprecedented complex inorganic nanotubular fragments with an external diameter of ~2 × 2 nm. The nanotubular aggregates are based on borate tubes where the exterior of the tubes is decorated with UO(2)(PO(4))(3) moieties to form a complex shape with a cross-section similar to the clover cross.

Micro-Raman study of copper hydroxychlorides and other corrosion products of bronze samples mimicking archaeological coins.

Three bronze samples created by CNR-ISMN (National Research Council-Institute of Nanostructured Materials) to be similar to Punic and Roman coins found in Tharros (OR, Sardinia, Italy) were studied to identify the corrosion products on their surfaces and to evaluate the reliability of the reproduction process. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was chosen to investigate the corroded surfaces because it is a non-destructive technique, it has high spatial resolution, and it gives the opportunity to discriminate between polymorphs and to correlate colour and chemical composition. A significant amount of green copper hydroxychlorides (Cu(2)(OH)(3)Cl) was detected on all the coins. Their discrimination by Raman spectroscopy was challenging because the literature on the topic is currently confusing. Thus, it was necessary to determine the characteristic peaks of atacamite, clinoatacamite, and the recently discovered anatacamite by acquiring Raman spectra of comparable natural mineral samples. Clinoatacamite, with different degrees of order in its structure, was the major component identified on the three coins. The most widespread corrosion product, besides hydroxychlorides, was the red copper oxide cuprite (Cu(2)O). Other corrosion products of the elements of the alloy (laurionite, plumbonacrite, zinc carbonate) and those resulting from burial in the soil (anatase, calcite, hematite) were also found. This study shows that identification of corrosion products, including discrimination of copper hydroxychlorides, could be accomplished by micro-Raman on valuable objects, for example archaeological findings or works of art, avoiding any damage because of extraction of samples or the use of a destructive analytical technique.

Structures of the pseudo-trigonal polymorphs of Cu2(OH)(3)Cl.

The crystal structure of Cu2(OH)(3)Cl has been determined using two natural samples with almost ideal stoichiometry. While one of the samples exhibits a twinned clinoatacamite structure, the other sample is characterized by the appearance of additional weak diffraction maxima at half integer positions of h and k. Structure refinement was carried out with the space group P1. The relationship between the triclinic phase, clinoatacamite, paratacamite and the herbertsmithite structure is discussed in terms of symmetry as a function of Cu concentration.

One-dimensional array of two- and three-center cation-cation bonds in the structure of Li4[(UO2)10O10(Mo2O8)].

Dark-red crystals of the new compound Li(4)[(UO(2))(10)O10(Mo(2)O(8))] (1) have been obtained by high-temperature solid-state reactions. The structure of 1 (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 7.9426(4) A, b = 19.9895(9) A, c = 10.0796(5) A, beta = 90.575(2) degrees, V = 1600.24(13) A(3), Z = 4) consists of a framework of U and Mo polyhedra with Li+ cations in the channels. The framework contains seven-polyhedra-wide uranium oxide tapes interlinked by dimers of edge-sharing [4 + 1]-distorted MoO(5) polyhedra. The U-O tapes are parallel to the a axis, and their planes are oriented parallel to (021) and (02) so that they are cross-linked within the framework. The core of the tapes consists of unprecedented one-dimensional arrays of cation-cation-bonded uranyl ions. The arrays are constructed from eight-membered cycles with uranyl ions linked through two- and three-center cation-cation interactions.

A structural phase transition in NaTaOGeO(4) and its relation to phase transitions in titanite.

A structural phase transition from space-group symmetry P2(1)/c to C2/c is reported for NaTaOGeO(4) (NTGO). The critical temperature has been located at T(c) = 116 K, based on the appearance of sharp diffraction maxima at positions h + k = 2n + 1 of reciprocal space on cooling below this temperature. Strongly anisotropic diffuse scattering in sheets normal to [001] is observable for T > T(c) and persists up to ambient temperature. Similarities to phase transitions observed in other compounds of the titanite structure type are discussed. The symmetry properties of these phase transitions are reassessed on the basis of the structural data available. The primary order parameter is identified with the displacement of the transition metal cation M (M = Ta in NTGO) away from the centre of symmetry that it nominally occupies in the paraphase. The order parameter transforms as the Y(2)(-) representation. The anisotropic diffuse scattering is attributed to the one-dimensional correlation of local M displacements parallel to the direction of chains of trans-corner-sharing MO(6) octahedra. The critical temperatures of the isomorphous phase transitions in various titanite-type compounds depend linearly on the squared transition-metal displacement measured in the ordered P2(1)/c phase.

Cu3MgCl2(OH)6 and the bond-valence parameters of the OH-Cl bond.

The title compound is a new mineral consisting of sheets made from edge-sharing Cu(OH)4Cl2 and Mg(OH)6 octahedra. The sheets are only weakly linked by O-H-Cl bridges, giving rise to perfect cleavage along (001) and to strong texture effects in powder diffraction measurements. Owing to low bond-valence sums at the Cl sites of Cu3MgCl2(OH)6 and of several related compounds, bond-valence parameters for the H/Cl pair have been refined to R0=1.336 and b=0.53 A based on the crystal structures of selected hydroxychlorides.

Tuning of inter- versus intrachain magnetic interactions in cyano-bridged Ni(II)/M(III) (M = Cr, Fe, Co) chain complexes.

The reaction of [M(CN)6]3- (M = Cr3+, Fe3+, Co3+) with the nickel(II) complex of 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-6-yl-{3-(1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane)} ([NiL]2+) in excess of ANO3 or ACl (A = Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+) leads to the cyano-bridged dinuclear assemblies A{[NiL][M(CN)6]}.xH2O (x = 2-5). X-ray structures of Li{[NiL][Cr(CN)6]}.5H2O, NH4{[NiL][Cr(CN)6]}.3.5H2O, K{[NiL][Cr(CN)6]}.4H2O, K{[NiL][Fe(CN)6]}.4H2O, Rb{[NiL][Fe(CN)6]}.3.5H2O, and Cs{[NiL][Fe(CN)6]}.3.5H2O, as well as the powder diffractometry of the entire Fe(III) series, are reported. The magnetic properties of the assemblies are dependent on the monocation A and discussed in detail. New efficient pathways for ferromagnetic exchange between Ni(II) and Fe(III) or Cr(III) are demonstrated. Field dependencies of the magnetization for the Fe(III) samples at low temperature and low magnetic field indicate a weak interchain antiferromagnetic coupling, which is switched to ferromagnetic coupling at increasing magnetic field (metamagnetic behavior). The interchain magnetic coupling can be tuned by the size of the A cations.

Encapsulation of cyanometalates by a tris-macrocyclic ligand tricopper(II) complex: syntheses, structural variation, and magnetic exchange coupling pathways.

The reaction of [M(CN)(6)](3-) (M = Cr(3+), Mn(3+), Fe(3+), Co(3+)) and [M(CN)(8)](4-/3-) (M = Mo(4+/5+), W(4+/5+)) with the trinuclear copper(II) complex of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltris[3-(1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane)] ([Cu(3)(L)](6+)) leads to partially encapsulated cyanometalates. With hexacyanometalate(III) complexes, [Cu(3)(L)](6+) forms the isostructural host-guest complexes [[[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))(2)][M(CN)(6)](2)][M(CN)(6)]][M(CN)(6)]30 H(2)O with one bridging, two partially encapsulated, and one isolated [M(CN)(6)](3-) unit. The octacyanometalates of Mo(4+/5+) and W(4+/5+) are encapsulated by two tris-macrocyclic host units. Due to the stability of the +IV oxidation state of Mo and W, only assemblies with [M(CN)(8)](4-) were obtained. The Mo(4+) and W(4+) complexes were crystallized in two different structural forms: [[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))](2)[Mo(CN)(8)]](NO(3))(8)15 H(2)O with a structural motif that involves isolated spherical [[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))](2)[M(CN)(8)]](8+) ions and a "string-of-pearls" type of structure [[[Cu(3)(L)](2)[M(CN)(8)]][M(CN)(8)]](NO(3))(4) 20 H(2)O, with [M(CN)(8)](4-) ions that bridge the encapsulated octacyanometalates in a two-dimensional network. The magnetic exchange coupling between the various paramagnetic centers is characterized by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization data. Exchange between the CuCu pairs in the [Cu(3)(L)](6+) "ligand" is weakly antiferromagnetic. Ferromagnetic interactions are observed in the cyanometalate assemblies with Cr(3+), exchange coupling of Mn(3+) and Fe(3+) is very small, and the octacoordinate Mo(4+) and W(4+) systems have a closed-shell ground state.

Structure and phase transitions of LiTaOGeO(4).

The structure of LiTaOGeO(4) has been refined using X-ray diffraction data collected at 293 K and at 173 K. The low-temperature structure is isostructural with LiTaOSiO(4) and closely related to the low-temperature structure of titanite, CaTiOSiO(4). Li occurs in a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The transition to the disordered structure, with space group symmetry C2/c, occurs at T(c) = 231 (1) K. Li is disordered across two symmetry-equivalent positions and Ta is located at the centre of its coordination octahedron in this paraphase. The transition is continuous, and the thermal evolution of the order parameter is well approximated using a tricritical mean-field model. Anharmonic thermal displacement of the Li cation has been analyzed and its one-particle potential has been determined. The height of the potential barrier separating the two Li positions across a curved trajectory is close to RT(c), where R is the universal gas constant.