LiNa4B15O25: Featuring Unprecedented B15O30 Fundamental Building Block and Deep-UV Cutoff Edge

Stereochemically Active Tin(II)-Induced Enhancement of Birefringence in SnII SnIV (PO4 )2 and SrSn(PO4 )PO2 (OH)2

Two new tin(II) phosphates, SnII SnIV (PO4 )2 and SrSn(PO4 )PO2 (OH)2 , were synthesized by the high-temperature solution method and hydrothermal method, respectively. Theoretical study indicates that by introducing tin(II) with stereochemical activity lone pairs (SCALP) in metal phosphates, the birefringence was enhanced, 0.048@1064 nm for SnII SnIV (PO4 )2 and 0.080@1064 nm for SrSn(PO4 )PO2 (OH)2 .

Sc2F2(B2O5): a deep ultraviolet scandium borate fluoride exhibiting large birefringence induced by the synergistic effect of B2O5 and ScOnF2 groups

A rare earth borate fluoride, Sc2F2(B2O5), displays a deep ultraviolet cutoff edge (<200 nm) and very large birefringence induced by the synergistic effect of B2O5 and ScOnF2 groups.

Sr3B14O24: a new borate with a [B14O30] fundamental building block and an unwonted 2D double layer

A new alkaline-earth metal borate, Sr₃B₁₄O₂₄, was successfully synthesized by a high-temperature solution method. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) and features a fundamental building block (FBB) [B₁₄O₃₀] which is composed of eight [BO₃] and six [BO₄] units. The FBBs further condense to form an unwonted infinite 2D double layer extended in the bc plane. The UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the cutoff edge of Sr₃B₁₄O₂₄ is less than 200 nm, which indicates its potential use in the deep UV region. In addition, the first principles theoretical study was carried out to better understand the relationship between the structure and performance.

LiB9O15·H2dap·H2O: A Cotemplated Acentric Layer-Pillared Borate Built by Mixed Oxoboron Clusters

An acentric layer-pillared borate, LiB₉O₁₅·H₂dap·H₂O (1, dap = 1,3-diaminopropane), cotemplated by organic and inorganic cations and build by mixed oxoboron cluster units of B₆O₁₃^8- and B₃O₇^5-, has first been made under solvothermal conditions, in which the B₆O₁₃^8- clusters link each other to form 2D layers containing 9-membered ring (MR) windows, while the B₃O₇^5- clusters join together to produce 1D chains that further perform as the pillars to connect neighboring layers, resulting in a 3D layer-pillared framework with 13- and 7-MR channels located by H₂dap²⁺ and Li⁺ cations, respectively. Its second harmonic generation shows a response of ∼2.1 times that of KDP (KH₂PO₄).

Na2La2B10O19: a new lanthanum sodium borate with infinite 2D layer 2∞[B10O19]8− and moderate birefringence

A new La-based borate Na₂La₂B₁₀O₁₉ with infinite 2D double layers composed of (B₅O₁₂)⁹⁻ FBBs and a moderate birefringence of 0.06 at 1064 nm.

A new acentric borate-nitrate Cs3B8O13(NO3) with interpenetrating porous 3D covalent and ionic lattices

A new acentric borate-nitrate Cs3B8O13(NO3) was synthesized by a molten salt method which consists of interpenetrating porous 3D covalent [B8O13]∞ and ionic [(NO3)Cs3]∞ lattices. It shows low ultraviolet cut-off edge (202 nm) and phase-matching second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity (0.7 KDP @1064 nm). First principles calculations showed that the main source of SHG is the cooperation of the B-O and [NO3]- groups.

Variable Asymmetric Chains in Transition Metal Oxyfluorides: Structure-Second-Harmonic-Generation Property Relationships

Four novel transition metal oxyfluorides, [Zn(pz)₃][MoO₂F₄]·0.1H₂O (1), [Zn(pz)₂F₂][Zn(pz)₃]₂[WO₂F₄]₂ (2), [Cd(pz)₄][Cd(pz)₄(H₂O)][MoO₂F₄]₂·0.625H₂O (3), and [Zn(mpz)₃]₂[MoO₂F₄]₂ (4) (pz = pyrazole; mpz = 3-methyl pyrazole) have been synthesized. Compounds 1 and 4 contain helical chains. Compound 2 accommodates zigzag chains, and compound 3 has quasi-one-dimensional linear chains. The variable chain structures are found to be attributable to the different structure-directing anionic groups and hydrogen bonding interactions. Compound 4 crystallized in the noncentrosymmetric (NCS) polar space group, Pna2₁, is nonphase-matchable (Type I), and reveals a moderate second-harmonic-generation (SHG) efficiency (10 × α-SiO₂). The observed SHG efficiency of compound 4 is due to the small net polarization occurring from the arrangement of ZnN₃F₂ trigonal bipyramids. Spectroscopic and thermal characterizations along with calculations for the title materials are reported.

Ba2ZnSc(BO3)3and Ba4Zn5Sc2(BO3)8: first examples of borates in the Zn–Sc–B–O system featuring special structure configurations

First examples in the Zn–Sc–B–O system featuring a special Zn/Sc–O configuration ([Zn₂(BO₃)₆]¹⁴⁻cluster, lowest-coordinated ScO₅polyhedra, and coexistence of ZnO₄and ZnO₆units).