Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structure of a new truly one-dimensional compound: PV2S10

Accessing Mg-Ion Storage in V2PS10 via Combined Cationic-Anionic Redox with Selective Bond Cleavage

Magnesium batteries attract interest as alternative energy-storage devices because of elemental abundance and potential for high energy density. Development is limited by the absence of suitable cathodes, associated with poor diffusion kinetics resulting from strong interactions between Mg2+ and the host structure. V2PS10 is reported as a positive electrode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries. Cyclable capacity of 100 mAh g-1 is achieved with fast Mg2+ diffusion of 7.2 × ${\times }$ 10-11-4 × ${\times }$ 10-14 cm2 s-1. The fast insertion mechanism results from combined cationic redox on the V site and anionic redox on the (S2)2- site; enabled by reversible cleavage of S-S bonds, identified by X-ray photoelectron and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Detailed structural characterisation with maximum entropy method analysis, supported by density functional theory and projected density of states analysis, reveals that the sulphur species involved in anion redox are not connected to the transition metal centres, spatially separating the two redox processes. This facilitates fast and reversible Mg insertion in which the nature of the redox process depends on the cation insertion site, creating a synergy between the occupancy of specific Mg sites and the location of the electrons transferred.

Metal-Metal (MM) Bond Distances and Bond Orders in Binuclear Metal Complexes of the First Row Transition Metals Titanium Through Zinc

This survey of metal-metal (MM) bond distances in binuclear complexes of the first row 3d-block elements reviews experimental and computational research on a wide range of such systems. The metals surveyed are titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc, representing the only comprehensive presentation of such results to date. Factors impacting MM bond lengths that are discussed here include (a) the formal MM bond order, (b) size of the metal ion present in the bimetallic core (M₂) ⁿ⁺, (c) the metal oxidation state, (d) effects of ligand basicity, coordination mode and number, and (e) steric effects of bulky ligands. Correlations between experimental and computational findings are examined wherever possible, often yielding good agreement for MM bond lengths. The formal bond order provides a key basis for assessing experimental and computationally derived MM bond lengths. The effects of change in the metal upon MM bond length ranges in binuclear complexes suggest trends for single, double, triple, and quadruple MM bonds which are related to the available information on metal atomic radii. It emerges that while specific factors for a limited range of complexes are found to have their expected impact in many cases, the assessment of the net effect of these factors is challenging. The combination of experimental and computational results leads us to propose for the first time the ranges and "best" estimates for MM bond distances of all types (Ti-Ti through Zn-Zn, single through quintuple).

Crystal structure of the mixed-metal thio-phosphate Nb1.18V0.82PS10

The mixed-metal thio-phosphate, Nb1.18V0.82PS10 (niobium vanadium phospho-rus deca-sulfide), has been prepared though solid state reactions using an alkali-metal halide flux. The title compound is isostructural with two-dimensional Nb2PS10. [M 2S12] (M = Nb or V) dimers built up from two bicapped trigonal prisms and tetra-hedral [PS4] units share sulfur atoms to construct (1) ∞[M 2PS10] chains along the a axis. These chains are linked through the di-sulfide bonds between [PS4] units in adjacent chains to form layers parallel to the ab plane. These layers then stack on top of each other to complete the three-dimensional structure with van der Waals gaps. The M sites are occupied by 59% of Nb and 41% of V and the average M-S and M-M distances in the title compound are in between those of V2PS10 and Nb2PS10. The classical charge balance of the title compound can be represented by [(Nb/V)(4+)]2[P(5+)][S(2-)]3[S(-)]7.

KNb(1.75)V(0.25)PS(10)

The title compound, potassium diniobium vanadium phospho-rus deca-sulfide, KNb(1.75)V(0.25)PS(10), was obtained by reaction of the elements with a eutectic mixture of KCl/LiCl. It is isostructural with the quaternary KNb(2)PS(10), but the Nb sites are occupied by statistically disordered Nb (87.5%) and V (12.5%) atoms. The structure is composed of anionic (∞) (1)[M(2)PS(10)](-) chains (M = Nb/V) separated from each other by K(+) ions. The chain is composed of [MS(8)] distorted bicapped trigonal prisms and [PS(4)] tetra-hedra. There are no inter-chain bonding inter-actions. The crystal used for the X-ray analysis was a racemic twin.

Rb3Ti3(P4S13)(PS4)3 and Cs2Ti2(P2S8)(PS4)2: Two Polar Titanium Thiophosphates with Complex One-Dimensional Tunnels

The reactions of Ti with in situ formed polythiophosphate fluxes of A(2)S(3) (A = Rb, Cs), P(2)S(5), and S at 500 degrees C result in the formation of two new quaternary titanium thiophosphates with compositions Rb(3)Ti(3)(P(4)S(13))(PS(4))(3) (1) and Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2). Rb(3)Ti(3)(P(4)S(13))(PS(4))(3) (1) crystallizes in the chiral hexagonal space group P6(3) (No. 173) with lattice parameters a = 18.2475(9) Angstrom, c = 6.8687(3) Angstrom, V = 1980.7(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2) crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric monoclinic space group Cc (No. 9) with a = 21.9709(14) Angstrom, b = 6.9093(3) Angstrom, c = 17.1489(10) Angstrom, beta = 98.79(1) degrees, V = 2572.7(2) Angstrom(3), Z = 4. In the structure of 1 TiS(6) octahedra, three [PS(4)] tetrahedra, and the hitherto unknown [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion are joined to form two different types of helical chains. These chains are connected yielding two different helical tunnels being directed along [001]. The tunnels are occupied by the Rb+ ions. The [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion is generated by three [PS(4)] tetrahedra sharing corners with one [PS(4)] group in the center of the starlike anion. The P atoms of the three [PS(4)] tetrahedra attached to the central [PS(4)] group define an equilateral triangle. The [P(4)S(13)](6-) anion may be regarded as a new member of the [P(n)S(3n+1)]((n+2)-) series. The structure of Cs(2)Ti(2)(P(2)S(8))(PS(4))(2) (2) consists of the one-dimensional polar tunnels containing the Cs(+) cations. The rare [P(2)S(8)](4-) anion which is composed of two [PS(4)] tetrahedra joined by a S(2)(2-) anion is a fundamental building unit in the structure of 2. One-dimensional undulated chains being directed along [100] are joined by [PS(4)] tetrahedra to form the three-dimensional network with polar tunnels running along [010]. The compounds are characterized with IR, Raman spectroscopy, and UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.