Practical applications of averages and differences of Friedel opposites

Enhanced sorption in an indium-acetylenedicarboxylate metal-organic framework with unexpected chains of cis-μ-OH-connected {InO6} octahedra

Single crystals of the new metal-organic framework (MOF) In-adc (HHUD-4) were obtained through the reaction of linear acetylenedicarboxylic acid (H₂adc) with In(NO₃)₃·xH₂O as a racemic conglomerate in the chiral tetragonal space groups P4₃22 and P4₁22. Fundamentally different from other MOFs with linear linkers and trans-μ-OH-connected infinite {MO₆} secondary building units as in the MIL-53-type, the linear adc^2- linker leads to the formation of cis-μ-OH connected {InO₆} polyhedra, which have otherwise only been found before for V-shaped ligands, as in CAU-10-H. A far-reaching implication of this finding is the possibility that trans-μ-OH/straight MIL-53-type MOFs will have polymorphs of CAU-10-H cis-μ-OH/helical topology and vice versa. HHUD-4 is a microporous MOF with a BET surface area of up to 940 m² g^-1 and a micropore volume of up to 0.39 cm³ g^-1. Additionally, HHUD-4 features good adsorption uptakes of 3.77 mmol g^-1 for CO₂ and 1.25 mmol g^-1 for CH₄ at 273 K and 1 bar, respectively, and a high isosteric heat of adsorption of 11.4 kJ mol^-1 for H₂ with a maximum uptake of 6.36 mmol g^-1 at 77 K and 1 bar. Vapor sorption experiments for water and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, cyclohexane and n-hexane yielded uptake values of 135, 269, 116 and 205 mg g^-1, respectively, at 293 K. While HHUD-4 showed unremarkable results for water uptake and low stability for water, it exhibited good stability with steep VOC uptake steps at low relative pressures and a high selectivity of 17 for benzene/cyclohexane mixtures.

Synthesis of a Chiral 3,6T22-Zn-MOF with a T-Shaped Bifunctional Pyrazole-Isophthalate Ligand Following the Principles of the Supramolecular Building Layer Approach

The metal–organic framework (MOF) [Zn(Isa-az-tmpz)]·~1–1.5 DMF with the novel T-shaped bifunctional linker 5-(2-(1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)azo)isophthalate (Isa-az-tmpz) was obtained as a conglomerate of crystals with varying degrees of enantiomeric excess in the chiral tetragonal space groups P4₃2₁2 or P4₁2₁2. A topological analysis of the compound resulted in the rare 3,6T22-topology, deviating from the expected rtl-topology, which has been found before in pyrazolate-isophthalate-functionalized MOFs using the supramolecular building layer (SBL) approach. 3,6T22-[Zn(Isa-az-tmpz)]·~1–1.5 DMF is a potentially porous, three-dimensional structure with DMF molecules included in the corrugated channels along the a and b-axis of the as synthesized material. The small trigonal cross-section of about 6 × 4 Å (considering the van der Waals surface) prevents the access of N₂ and Ar under cryogenic conditions. After activation, only smaller H₂ (at 87 K) and CO₂ (at 195 K) are allowed for gas uptakes of 2 mmol g^–1 and 5.4 mmol g^–1, respectively, in the ultramicroporous material, for which a BET surface area of 496 m²·g^–1 was calculated from CO₂ adsorption. Thermogravimetric analysis of the compound shows a thermal stability of up to 400 °C.

Pseudotetrahedral Zn(II)-(R or S)-dihalogen-salicylaldiminato complexes with Λ- or Δ-chirality induction at-metal

Reactions of enantiopure (S or R)-N-1-(phenyl)ethyl-2,4-X1,X2-salicylaldimine (S-H or R-H; X1, X2 = dihalogen) with Zn(II)-nitrate give bis[(S or R)-N-1-(phenyl)ethyl-2,4-X1,X2-salicylaldiminato-κ2N,O]-zinc(II), (Δ-ZnS or Λ-ZnR) with Δ/Λ-chirality induction at-metal in the C2-symmetric molecules....

Chirality determination in crystals

This tutorial review article discusses chirality determination in the solid state, both in single crystals and in crystal assemblies, with an emphasis on X-ray diffraction. The main principles of using X-ray diffraction to reliably determine absolute structure are summarized, and the complexity which can be encountered in chiral structures-kryptoracemates, scalemates, and inversion twinning-is illustrated with examples from our laboratories and the literature. We then address the problem of the bulk crystallization and discuss different techniques to determine chirality in a large assembly of crystal structures, with a special prominence given to an X-ray natural circular dichroism mapping technique that we recently reported.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis[(R or S)-N-1-(X-C6H4)ethyl-2-oxo-1-naphthaldiminato-κ2N,O]-Λ/Δ-cobalt(II) (X = H, p-CH3O, p-Br) with Symmetry- and Distance-Dependent Vibrational Circular Dichroism Enhancement and Sign Inversion

The enantiopure Schiff bases (R or S)-N-1-(X-C₆H₄)ethyl-2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldimine {X = H [(R or S)-HL1], p-CH₃O [(R or S)-HL2], and p-Br [(R- or S)-HL3]} react with cobalt(II) acetate to give bis[(R or S)-N-1-(X-C₆H₄)ethyl-2-oxo-1-naphthaldiminato-κ²N,O]-Λ/Δ-cobalt(II) {X = H [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L1], p-CH₃O [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L2], and p-Br [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L3]} (1–3), respectively. Induced Λ and Δ chirality originates at the metal center of the C₂-symmetric molecule in pseudotetrahedral geometry. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses explored the thermal stability of the complexes, which undergo reversible phase transformation from crystalline solid to isotropic liquid phase for 1 and 3 but irreversible phase transformation for 2. Like other cobalt(II) complexes, compounds 1–3 exhibit a continuous ensemble of absorption and circular dichroism bands, which span from the UV to IR region and can be collected into a superspectrum. Infrared vibrational circular dichroism (IR-VCD) spectra witness the coupling between Co²⁺-centered low-lying electronic states and ligand-centered vibrations. The coupling produces enhanced and almost monosignate VCD spectra, with both effects being mode-dependent in terms of the A or B symmetry (in the C₂ point group) and distance from the Co²⁺ core.

Chiroptical superspectra of naphthaldiminatocobalt(II) complexes 1−3 exhibit a continuous ensemble of absorption and circular dichroism bands from the UV to IR region, including peculiar and almost monosignate vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra dominated by the coupling between Co²⁺-centered low-lying electronic states and ligand-centered vibrations, which depend on the normal-mode symmetry and distance from the Co²⁺ core

Pseudotetrahedral copper(II)-complexes with enantiopure (R or S)-2-(((aryl)ethylimino)ethyl)phenolate Schiff base ligands

Condensation of 2-hydroxy-benzophenone (HL') with (R or S)-(Ar)ethylamine yields the enantiopure Schiff bases (S or R)-2-((E)-1-(1-(Ar)ethylimino)ethyl)phenol {Ar = C6H5 (S- or R-HL1), p-CH3OC6H4 (S- or R-HL2)}. These Schiff bases react with copper(ii) acetate under reflux to give green microcrystals of bis[(R or S)-2-((E)-1-(1-(Ar)ethylimino)ethyl)phenolato-κ2N,O]-Λ/Δ-copper(ii), {Ar = C6H5 (Λ/Δ-Cu-R- or S-L1), p-CH3OC6H4 (Λ/Δ-Cu-R- or S-L2)} with induction of Λ/Δ-chirality at-metal. The presence of Schiff base ligands in the paramagnetic green microcrystals is confirmed by decomplexation reaction with NaCN via reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) in DMSO-d6 solution. Crystallization attempts of the green microcrystalline Schiff-base Cu complexes provide deep-green block-shaped crystals of an about equal admixture of bis[2-oxo-benzophenonato-κ2O,O']-copper(ii), (CuL'2) and bis[2-(imino(phenyl)methyl)phenolato-κ2N,O]copper(ii), (CuL''2) via in situ hydrolysis of the coordinated Schiff base ligands back to 2-hydroxy-benzophenone (HL') and to 2-(imino(phenyl)methyl)phenol (HL''), which in-turn bind with the copper(ii) ion. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of R-HL1 and Cu-R-L1 allowed their structure determinations using the program Expo-2014 followed by Rietveld refinement. The Cu structures refined to four-coordinated Λ/Δ-copper(ii)-complexes by the two phenolate-oxygen and two imine-nitrogen atoms from two Schiff base ligands in a pseudotetrahedral geometry. DFT optimized structures (at gas-phase) reveal the Δ-Cu-S-L1 or Λ-Cu-R-L1 diastereomer as slightly more stable than the corresponding Λ-Cu-S-L1 or Δ-Cu-R-L1 by ca. 7.60 kcal mol-1, resulting from diastereoselectively induced Λ vs. Δ-chirality at-metal. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra display mirror-image relationships and comparisons of experimental and simulated ECD spectra by TDDFT suggest an excess of the Δ-Cu-S-L1 or Λ-Cu-R-L1 diastereomer in solution. The cyclic voltammograms demonstrate two one electron charge transfer processes for Cu2+/Cu+ and Cu+/Cu0 couples in acetonitrile, respectively.

Synthesis and high antiproliferative activity of dehydroabietylamine pyridine derivatives in vitro and in vivo

Several bioactive dehydroabietylamine Schiff-bases (L1-L4), amides (L5-L11) and complex CuL3(NO3)2, Cu(L5)3, Co(L6)2Cl2 had been synthesized successfully for developing more efficient but lower toxic antiproliferative compounds. Their antiproliferative activities to Hela (cervix), HepG2 (liver), MCF-7 (breast), A549 (lung) and HUVEC (umbilical vein, normal cell) were investigated in vitro. The toxicity of all compounds was less than dehydroabietylamine (L0). For HepG2 cells, L1, L2 and L3 had higher anti-HepG2 activity, especially L1 (0.52 µM) had highest anti-HepG2 activity but low toxicity. For MCF-7 cells, L1, L2, L3 and L4 had higher anti-MCF-7 activity, especially L3(0.49 µM) had highest anti-MCF-7 activity but low toxicity. For A549 cells, L2 and L3 had higher anti-A549 activity. Furthermore, L1 and L3 may be the great promise antiproliferative drugs with nontoxic side effects, due to the high anti-HepG2 and anti-MCF-7 inhibition rate in vivo, 65% and 61%, respectively. L1, L2 and L3 could induce apoptosis through intercalating into DNA.

The Publications of Howard Flack (1943–2017)

Howard Flack was a driving force in the development of modern crystallography. Today “the Flack parameter” has entered into the common parlance of crystallography but his influence was far wider. This article provides an overview of his scientific output and a full bibliography.

Ethyl (3S)-3-[(3aR,5R,6S,6aR)-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyltetrahydrofuro[4,5-d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl]-3-{(3S)-3-[(3aR,5R,6S,6aR)-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyltetrahydrofuro[4,5-d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl]-5-oxoisoxazolidin-2-yl}propanoate chloroform monosolvate

The Flack and Watkin 2AD plot based on 1941 acentric Friedel pairs for the title chloro­form solvate shows that the observed intensity differences for Friedel opposites are dominated by random and systematic errors, erasing information about resonant scattering.

The title compound, C₂₂H₃₃NO₁₂·CHCl₃, was obtained as a product of a double aza-Michael addition of hydroxyl­amine on a Chiron with a known absolute configuration. The enanti­opure compound crystallized as a chloro­form solvate, in space group P1, and diffraction data were collected at room temperature with Ag Kα radiation. The Flack parameter refined to x = −0.01 (16); however, the Flack and Watkin 2AD plot clearly shows that differences between Friedel opposites (the D component of the plot) do not carry any reliable information about resonant scattering of Cl atoms, and are rather dominated by random and systematic errors. The R_D factor calculated using 1941 acentric Friedel pairs is R_D = 0.995. On the other hand, the 2A component of the plot, related to average intensities of Friedel pairs, shows that data are of good quality (R_A = 0.069). This example illustrates that while using Ag Kα radiation (λ = 0.56083 Å), scatterers heavier than Cl should be present in a chiral crystal in order to determine confidently the absolute structure of the crystal.

Azaphilones from the Red Sea Fungus Aspergillus falconensis

The marine-derived fungus Aspergillus falconensis, isolated from sediment collected from the Canyon at Dahab, Red Sea, yielded two new chlorinated azaphilones, falconensins O and P (1 and 2) in addition to four known azaphilone derivatives (3−6) following fermentation of the fungus on solid rice medium containing 3.5% NaCl. Replacing NaCl with 3.5% NaBr induced accumulation of three additional new azaphilones, falconensins Q−S (7−9) including two brominated derivatives (7 and 8) together with three known analogues (10−12). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS data as well as by comparison with the literature. The absolute configuration of the azaphilone derivatives was established based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 5, comparison of NMR data and optical rotations as well as on biogenetic considerations. Compounds 1, 3−9, and 11 showed NF-κB inhibitory activity against the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 11.9 to 72.0 µM.

Solid-state to solution helicity inversion of pseudotetrahedral chiral copper(ii) complexes with 2,4-dihalo-salicylaldiminate ligands

Steric constraints by the halogen substituents show an efficient control of stereochemical behaviours of the complexes.

Chiral superstructures from homochiral Zn2+ , Co2+ , Fe2+ -2,6-bis (aryl ethylimine)pyridine complexes

We report the hierarchical supramolecular organization of metallosupramolecular homochiral complexes 1-Λ-(S,S,S,S)-M²⁺ /1-∆-(R,R,R,R)-M²⁺ and 2- Λ-(S,S,S,S)-M²⁺ /2-∆- (R,R,R,R)-M²⁺ of M²⁺ = Co²⁺ , Fe²⁺ , Zn²⁺ metal ions with chiral pseudo-terpyridine-type ligands: 1-(S,S) or 1-(R,R) = 2,6-bis (naphthyl ethylimine)pyridine and 2-(S,S) or 2-(R,R) = 2,6-bis (phenyl-ethylimine)pyridine. Circular dichroism measurements in solution were used to confirm the enantiomeric nature of all twelve complexes. For crystal structures of 1- Λ- (S,S,S,S)-M²⁺ or 1-∆- (R,R,R,R)-M²⁺ complexes, absolute configurations {∆ (or P), Λ (or M)} were confirmed by refinement of the Flack parameter x: -0.007 ≤ x ≤ 0.11 for the single crystals of 1-Λ-(S,S,S,S)-M²⁺ /1-∆- (R,R,R,R)-M²⁺ , 2- Λ- (S,S,S,S)-Fe²⁺ , and 2-∆- (R,R,R,R)-Co²⁺ .

Synthesis and potential antineoplastic activity of dehydroabietylamine imidazole derivatives

To seek more efficient and lower toxicity anticancer compounds, several imidazole combining dehydroabietylamine derivatives including organic salts (L 1 -L 2 ) and amides (L 3 -L 5 ) were synthesized. Their antineoplastic activity against HeLa (cervix), MCF-7 (breast), A549 (lung) and HepG2 (liver) cells and HUVECs (umbilical vein, normal cells) in vitro were evaluated by MTT assay. The results unequivocally showed that nearly all compounds had better antineoplastic activity and lower toxicity than dehydroabietylamine (L 0 ). For MCF-7 cells, L 2 (0.75 μM) and L 5 (2.17 μM) had higher anti-MCF-7 activity than L 0 and DOX. For A549 cells, L 1 (1.85 μM) and L 2 (4.37 μM) had higher anti-A549 activity than L 0 ; in particular, the IC50 value of L 1 was much lower than that of DOX. Among these investigated compounds, L 2 and L 5 had lower IC50 values (0.75 μM and 2.17 μM) against MCF-7 cells and lower toxicity, which suggested that they may be potential future anticancer drugs. In addition, L 1 and L 2 could suppress cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. L 1 -L 5 could bind with DNA through intercalation.

Germacrane-Type Sesquiterpenoids with Antiproliferative Activities from Eupatorium chinense

Ten new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids (1-10) were isolated from a whole plant extract of Eupatorium chinense. The structures were elucidated by analysis of their NMR and MS data as well as by comparison with literature values. The absolute configuration of eupachinsin A (1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited cytotoxicity against a human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), with IC₅₀ values of 0.8 and 3.4 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 3-5 showed cytotoxicity against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG₂), with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.6 to 7.6 μM.

Spontaneous resolution of a Δ/Λ-chiral-at-metal pseudo-tetrahedral Schiff-base zinc complex to a racemic conglomerate with C–H⋯O organized 41- and 43-helices

Weak supramolecular interactions can be decisive!

Monodentate phosphine substitution in [Pd(κ3-dppf)(PR3)][BF4]2 (dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) compounds

The synthesis and dissociative monodentate phosphine substitution of [Pd(κ³-dppf)(P(p-C₆H₄R)₃)][BF₄]₂ compounds is presented. DFT calculations further examines the nature of the Fe–Pd interaction of the κ³-dppf ligand.

Synthesis and structural diversity of d10 metal coordination polymers constructed from new semi-rigid bis(3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid)alkane ligands

Three isomeric ligands, and four d¹⁰ metal CPs were synthesized, varying from 1D to 2D, together with achirality to chirality variation.

Why direct and post-refinement determinations of absolute structure may give different results

Direct determination of the Flack parameter as part of the structure refinement procedure usually gives different, though similar, values to post-refinement methods. The source of this discrepancy has been probed by analysing a range of data sets taken from the recent literature. Most significantly, it was observed that the directly refined Flack (x) parameter and its standard uncertainty are usually not much influenced by changes in the refinement weighting schemes, but if they are then there are probably problems with the data or model. Post-refinement analyses give Flack parameters strongly influenced by the choice of weights. Weights derived from those used in the main least squares lead to post-refinement estimates of the Flack parameters and their standard uncertainties very similar to those obtained by direct refinement. Weights derived from the variances of the observed structure amplitudes are more appropriate and often yield post-refinement Flack parameters similar to those from direct refinement, but always with lower standard uncertainties. Substantial disagreement between direct and post-refinement determinations are strongly indicative of problems with the data, which may be difficult to identify. Examples drawn from 28 structure determinations are provided showing a range of different underlying problems. It seems likely that post-refinement methods taking into account the slope of the normal probability plot are currently the most robust estimators of absolute structure and should be reported along with the directly refined values.

Cytotoxic 14-Membered Macrolides from a Mangrove-Derived Endophytic Fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora

Seven new 14-membered macrolides, pestalotioprolides C (2), D-H (4-8), and 7-O-methylnigrosporolide (3), together with four known analogues, pestalotioprolide B (1), seiricuprolide (9), nigrosporolide (10), and 4,7-dihydroxy-13-tetradeca-2,5,8-trienolide (11), were isolated from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data and by comparison with literature data. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to confirm the absolute configurations of 1, 2, and 10, while Mosher's method and the TDDFT-ECD approach were applied to determine the absolute configurations of 5 and 6. Compounds 3-6 showed significant cytotoxicity against the murine lymphoma cell line L5178Y with IC50 values of 0.7, 5.6, 3.4, and 3.9 μM, respectively, while compound 5 showed potent activity against the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Coculture of P. microspora with Streptomyces lividans caused a roughly 10-fold enhanced accumulation of compounds 5 and 6 compared to axenic fungal control.

Probing structural chirality with high-energy synchrotron radiation

The absolute structure has been determined for MnSi with data collected using synchrotron radiation withE= 78.3 keV (0.158 Å). At this energy, the resonant scattering contribution from MnSi is very small (f′Mn= −0.0397,f′′Mn= 0.0385,f′Si = −0.0197,f′′Si= 0.0027), but the large number of observed Bijvoet differences together with a wideQrange make absolute structure determination possible. A comparison with the data collected atE= 18 keV (0.68 Å) (f′Mn= 0.2858,f′′Mn= 0.6739,f′Si= 0.0653,f′′Si= 0.0646) for the same crystal shows the correctness of the absolute structure measured at the higher energy. A similar data collection has also been done atE= 65.3 keV (0.19 Å) for a single crystal of Fe0.7Co0.3Si with known absolute structure. In all cases, the absolute structure was correctly determined by analysing the statistical distribution of the chirality measure. Statistical descriptors of the refinements, the Flack parameter and the distribution of Parsons quotients are discussed for all presented experiments.

Absolute structure determination using CRYSTALS

A study of post-refinement absolute structure determination using previously published data was carried out using the CRYSTALS software package. We show that absolute structure determination may be carried out optimally using the analyses available in CRYSTALS, and that it is not necessary to have the separate procedures absolute structure determination and no interest in absolute structure as proposed by Flack [Chimia (2014), 68, 26-30].

Chirality at metal and helical ligand folding in optical isomers of chiral bis(naphthaldiminato)nickel(ii) complexes

Ni-Schiff base complexes combine ligand chirality, chirality at metal, and helical ligand folding in a concerted way.

Targeted solid phase fermentation of the soil dwelling fungus Gymnascella dankaliensis yields new brominated tyrosine-derived alkaloids

Seven new brominated alkaloids, gymnastatins T–Y (1–6) and dankastatin D (7), together with three known analogues were isolated from the soil fungus Gymnascella dankaliensis through fermentation on solid rice mediumcontaining NaBr.

Patterson functions

The paper deals with |F|2, A and D Patterson functions. The information available in the various volumes of International Tables for Crystallography is detailed. A and D are defined and the reason for their use is explained. The symmetry of these functions is explained. Calculation by symmetry-adapted Patterson functions and the Fast-Fourier algorithm are described. There are two examples. There is a very useful table presenting the relevant information.

Mesoxalate as Cu(ii)–Ln(iii) linker in the construction of MOFs in DMSO/water medium

The combination of [Cu₃(Hmesox)₃]³⁻ with La(iii), Ce(iii), Pr(iii), Nd(iii) and Eu(iii) in DMSO/H₂O yields 3d–4f heterometallic metal–organic frameworks, with the dimensionality of the network being controlled by the coordination number of the Ln(iii) ion.

High- and low-temperature phases in isostructural 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline and 4-iodo-3-nitroaniline

The structures of 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline, C6H5ClN2O2, (I), and 4-iodo-3-nitroaniline, C6H5IN2O2, (II), are isomorphs and both undergo continuous (second order) phase transitions at 237 and 200 K, respectively. The structures, as well as their phase transitions, have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and difference scanning calorimetry experiments. Both high-temperature phases (293 K) show disorder of the nitro substituents, which are inclined towards the benzene-ring planes at two different orientations. In the low-temperature phases (120 K), both inclination angles are well maintained, while the disorder is removed. Concomitantly, thebaxis doubles with respect to the room-temperature cell. Each of the low-temperature phases of (I) and (II) contains two pairs of independent molecules, where the molecules in each pair are related by noncrystallographic inversion centres. The molecules within each pair have the same absolute value of the inclination angle. The Flack parameter of the low-temperature phases is very close to 0.5, indicating inversion twinning. This can be envisaged as stacking faults in the low-temperature phases. It seems that competition between the primary amine–nitro N—H...O hydrogen bonds which form three-centred hydrogen bonds is the reason for the disorder of the nitro groups, as well as for the phase transition in both (I) and (II). The backbones of the structures are formed by N—H...N hydrogen bonding of moderate strength which results in the graph-set motifC(3). This graph-set motif forms a zigzag chain parallel to the monoclinicbaxis and is maintained in both the high- and the low-temperature structures. The primary amine groups are pyramidal, with similar geometric values in all four determinations. The high-temperature phase of (II) has been described previously [Gardenet al.(2004).Acta Cryst.C60, o328–o330].

New refinement of Ni5.20Sn8.7Zn4.16Cu1.04and its non-isotypy with Ni2Sn2Zn

The noncentrosymmetric space groupP\overline{4}3mbut a pseudocentric cubic crystal structure were reported for the compound Ni5.20Sn8.7Zn4.16Cu1.04[Larssonet al.(1994).Acta Cryst.C50, 9–12]. The recently described Ni2Sn2Zn shows a closely related structure, although it is centrosymmetric and contains additional voids which are partially occupied. Therefore, a new refinement of Ni5.20Sn8.7Zn4.16Cu1.04based on the originally published structure factors was performed. The results indicate that the structure can indeed be described in the centrosymmetric space groupPm\overline{3}m; no justification for the absence of the inversion centre could be found within the accuracy of the available data. In comparison with Ni2Sn2Zn, slight but significant differences were confirmed; consequently, the two structures are topologically related but not isotypic.