Crystal structure of TeOF2

Stability of Hydroxo/Oxo/Fluoro Zirconates vs. Hafniates—A DFT Study

We performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations on binary and ternary oxo/fluoro crystals of the geochemical twin pair zirconium and hafnium to evaluate and compare their stabilities. This is the first DFT study on bulk ZrF4 or HfF4, as well as on a hypothetical ZrOF2 or HfOF2 bulk crystal. For α-MO2, β-MF4 and MOF2, we have found significantly higher cohesive energies for the respective hafnium species. This suggests a considerable gap in affinity toward fluorine and oxygen between the twin pair in the solid state. In agreement with experimental findings, this gap is slightly more pronounced for fluorine. This study is also the first to evaluate the theoretical, endothermic mono-hydroxylation of the respective fluorides or oxyfluorides to model the difference in affinity toward fluoride versus hydroxide. For these, we could also find a slight energetic preference for the hafnium compound.

Structural refinement of the RT LaOF phases by coupling powder X-Ray diffraction, (19)F and (139)La solid state NMR and DFT calculations of the NMR parameters

The structures of the β- and t-LaOF phases have been refined from XRPD patterns. For both phases, (19)F and (139)La solid-state NMR spectra recorded at high magnetic fields show the presence of a single F and a single La local environment, indicating a full anionic ordering in these oxyfluoride compounds. DFT calculations of the (19)F and (139)La chemical shielding tensors and of the (139)La EFG tensor have been performed for the proposed structural models. The observed good agreement between experimental and calculated NMR parameters for both phases highlights the accuracy of the structural data.