ABSTRACT
Molecular mechanics simulations using the Cerius2 modeling environment have been applied to study the structures of dioctahedral smectites intercalated with the zirconium cation [Zr4(OH)12(H2O)12]4+. The substitutions in the silicate layers influence the sublimation energy in these types of intercalated layer structures. Charge distribution in the smectite layer was analyzed in relation to the interlayer structure. Tetrahedral substitutions in the smectite layer create preferential interlayer positions of the [Zr4(OH)12(H2O)12]4+ ion. A regular distribution of the tetrahedral substitutions in the smectite layer results in a better intercalant ordering in the interlayer space. Such a more homogeneous intercalant distribution results in a better interlayer pore size control.
ABSTRACT
The structure of the coordination compound [Fe(teec)(6)](BF(4))(2), hexa[1-(2-chloroethyl)tetrazole]iron(II) di(borotetrafluoride), has been determined using the grid-search techniques of the program suite MRIA. A Guinier-camera data set was used to determine the unit cell, the space group and to position the initial model. A high-resolution synchrotron powder data set was used to position a more detailed model using torsion-angle variation and to refine the structure leading to Rp = 0.0689, Rw = 0.0805 and GoF = 1.38. The crystal structure at room temperature shows the existence of two symmetry-equivalent iron(II) ions in the high-spin state.
ABSTRACT
The project on crystallographic modelling aims at extending the application of interactive graphics to inorganic structures. Starting from the available expertise in organic and protein modelling, the symmetry of the crystal structure is used not only to draw fixed models of many unit cells of the structure, which as an entity can be interactively manipulated, but also to change details of the structures interactively with retention of the original symmetry. Real-time shifts of atom positions are automatically applied to all symmetry-equivalent atoms given the symmetry constraints. This also applies to translations and rotations of groups of atoms. In order to get feedback about these structural changes one can simulate powder diffraction patterns in real-time mode and compare them with the experimental powder patterns. These features are crucial in truly crystallographic modelling, but have not been implemented before in other programs. The program can be used in combination with standard molecular modelling programs and is also interfaced to the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. Before describing the realization of these features on state-of-the-art hardware, we will review the expertise in molecular modelling and discuss an MS-DOS program to study inorganic crystal structures.
