Molten salt synthesis of a mixed-valent lanthanide(III/IV) oxychloride with an unprecedented Sillen X(2)(4) structure: Ce1.3Nd0.7O3Cl

Inorg Chem. 2012 Apr 2;51(7):4352-8. doi: 10.1021/ic3000558. Epub 2012 Mar 19.

Abstract

A new cerium neodymium oxychloride, Ce1.3Nd0.7O3Cl, has been synthesized by precipitation in a LiCl–CaCl2 molten salt by humid argon sparging. Chemical and structure characterization have been undertaken by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-temperature X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron scattering. This oxychloride crystallizes in space group P4/nmm, a = 3.9848(3) Å and c = 12.467(2) Å, in a new Sillen-type phase represented by the symbol X(2)(4) where “quadruple” fluorite-type layers [M4O6], containing Ce(IV) in “inner” sublayers and both CeIII and NdIII in “outer” sublayers, alternate with double-halide ion sheets. The structure is also described as a stacking of LnOCl and fluorite-type blocks and constitutes the term n = 2 of a possible series (MO2)n(NdOCl)2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Argon
  • Calcium Chloride / chemistry
  • Cerium / chemistry*
  • Lithium Chloride / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neodymium / chemistry*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Salts / chemical synthesis
  • Thermogravimetry
  • Water / chemistry
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Salts
  • Water
  • Neodymium
  • Cerium
  • Argon
  • Lithium Chloride
  • Calcium Chloride