Exchange Interactions and Magnetic Properties of a Molecular Mn18 -Ring Complex.

[Mn3 O(OAc)7 (HOAc)]6 ⋅ x AcOH (x=6-9) represents a rare example of a compound containing molecular Mn18 -rings. These are formed by Mn3 (µ3 -O) subunits in which the high-spin Mn(III) centers are bridged by three pairs of acetate anions (AcO- ). An AcOH molecule coordinates to one of the Mn atoms leading to [Mn3 (µ3 -O)(µ2 -OAc)6 (AcOH)]-units, designated in short as Mn3 -units, that are interconnected by acetate anions via the other two Mn atoms to form Mn18 -rings. Magnetic measurements show weak ferromagnetic interactions between them that are suppressed in strong magnetic field. Quantum-chemical calculations on Mn3 model complexes using independently DFT and ab-initio multi reference methods (CASSCF/NEVPT2) show a correlation between the orientation of the pseudo-Jahn-Teller axes of pairs of Mn(III) magnetic centers and corresponding exchange coupling energies. Weak coupling between Mn3 -units within the Mn18 -ring allowed to simulate the magnetic susceptibility versus temperature dependence in terms of basically uncoupled magnetic moments of each Mn3 -unit within the ring.

Syntheses and Characterization of the Mixed-Valent Manganese(II/III) Fluorides Mn2F5 and Mn3F8.

We obtained single crystals of the binary mixed-valent fluorides Mn2F5 and Mn3F8 using a high-pressure/high-temperature approach. Mn2F5 crystallizes isotypic to CaCrF5 in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15), with a = 8.7078(8) Å, b = 6.1473(6) Å, c = 7.7817(7) Å, ß = 117.41(1)°, V = 369.80(6) Å3, Z = 4, and mC28 at T = 173 K. Mn3F8 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 (No. 4) with a = 5.5253(2) Å, b = 4.8786(2) Å, c = 9.9124(4) Å, ß = 92.608(2)°, V = 266.92(2) Å3, Z = 2, and mP22 at T = 183 K and presents a new structure type. Crystal-chemical reasoning, CHARDI calculations, and quantum-chemical calculations allowed for the assignment of the oxidation states of the Mn atoms. In both bulk compounds, MnF2 was present as an impurity, as evidenced by powder X-ray diffraction and IR and Raman spectroscopy.

Coexistence of Two Different Distorted Octahedral [MnF6 ]3- Sites in K3 [MnF6 ]: Manifestation in Spectroscopy and Magnetism.

As a consequence of the static Jahn-Teller effect of the 5 E ground state of MnIII in cubic structures with octahedral parent geometries, their octahedral coordination spheres become distorted. In the case of six fluorido ligands, [MnF6 ]3- anions with two longer and four shorter Mn-F bonds making elongated octahedra are usually observed. Herein, we report the synthesis of the compound K3 [MnF6 ] through a high-temperature approach and its crystallization by a high-pressure/high-temperature route. The main structural motifs are two quasi-isolated, octahedron-like [MnF6 ]3- anions of quite different nature compared to that met in ideal octahedral MnIII Jahn-Teller systems. Owing to the internal electric field of Ci symmetry dominated by the next-neighbour K+ ions acting on the MnIII sites, both sites, the pseudo-rhombic (site 1) and the pseudo-tetragonally elongated (site 2) [MnF6 ]3- anions are present in K3 [MnF6 ]. The compound was characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetometry as well as by FTIR, Raman, and ligand field spectroscopy. A theoretical interpretation of the electronic structure and molecular geometry of the two Mn sites in the lattice is given by using a vibronic coupling model with parameters adjusted from multireference ab-initio cluster calculations.

Binary Lead Fluoride Pb3 F8.

The binary lead fluoride Pb3 F8 was synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous HF with Pb3 O4 or by the reaction of BrF3 with PbF2 . The compound was characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman, and solid-state MAS 19 F NMR spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis, XP and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Solid-state quantum-chemical calculations are provided for the vibrational analyses and band assignments. The electronic band structure offers an inside view of the mixed valence compound.

HF-Free Synthesis of Li2SiF6:Mn4+: A Red-Emitting Phosphor.

Li2SiF6:Mn4+ was synthesized via a new HF-free synthesis route by a high-pressure/high-temperature doping experiment at 5.5 GPa and 750 °C. It is proven that the phosphor cannot be synthesized by the common wet-chemical precipitation route in aqueous HF. The sample was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, EDX, and luminescence spectroscopy. At room temperature, Li2SiF6:Mn4+ exhibits seven emission lines with the strongest line at λmax ≈ 630 nm and a dominant wavelength of λdom ≈ 618 nm. The CIE coordinates are 0.688 and 0.312 for x and y, respectively. The compound shows a luminous efficacy of radiation (LER) of 218 lm Wopt-1, which exceeds the LER of current state-of-the-art red LED phosphor K2SiF6:Mn4+ by 7% due to a blue-shift of the emission. It reveals excellent thermal quenching behavior up to 125 °C.

(Ge2P2)2-: a binary analogue of P4 as a precursor to the ternary cluster anion [Cd3(Ge3P)3]3.

The novel binary P4 analogue (Ge2P2)2- proved to be a suitable precursor for heteroatomic cluster synthesis. Over time in solution, it rearranges to form (Ge7P2)2-, as shown by NMR studies and X-ray diffraction. Reactions of (Ge2P2)2- with CdPh2 afford [K(crypt-222)]3[Cd3(Ge3P)3], containing an unprecedented ternary cluster anion with a triangular Cd3 moiety.

Redetermination of the crystal structure of K2Hg(SCN)4.

Single crystals of K2Hg(SCN)4 [dipotassium tetra-thio-cyanato-mercurate(II)] were grown from aqueous solutions of potassium thio-cyanate and mercury(II) thio-cyanate and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In comparison with the previously reported structure model [Zvonkova (1952 ▸). Zh. Fiz. Khim. 26, 1798-1803], all atoms in the crystal structure were located, with lattice parameters and fractional coordinates determined to a much higher precision. In the (crystal) structure, the HgII atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated in the form of a distorted tetra-hedron by four S atoms of the thio-cyanate anions. The K+ cation shows a coordination number of eight.

Redetermination of the crystal structure of NbF4.

Single crystals of NbF4, niobium(IV) tetra-fluoride, were synthesized by disproportionation of Nb2F5 at 1273 K in a sealed niobium tube, extracted and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Previous reports on the crystal structure of NbF4 were based on X-ray powder diffraction data and the observed isotypicity to SnF4 [Gortsema & Didchenko (1965 ▸). Inorg. Chem. 4, 182-186; Schäfer et al. (1965 ▸). J. Less Common Met. 9, 95-104]. The data obtained from a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study meant the atomic coordinates could now be refined as well as their anisotropic displacement parameters, leading to a significant improvement of the structural model of NbF4. In the structure, the Nb atom is octahedron-like surrounded by six F atoms of which four are bridging to other NbF6 octa-hedra, leading to a layer structure extending parallel to the ab plane.