Trigonal prismatic coordination

Methods of converting the six-coordinate trigonal prismatic shape, where the metal is sandwiched between two layers of donors, into various seven-, eight- and nine-coordinate shapes through addition of other groups either in the plane of the metal to form another layer of donors or else in the two existing layers of donors to expand the set of donors in those layers. 

In the trinuclear complex [Ba /r-OCH(CF3)2 4Y2(thd)4] thd = Bu C(0)CHC(0)Bu the three metal atoms are in a non-Unear chain (YBaY, 129.3°) and the central Ba ion is joined to the Y ions by double fluoroalkoxo bridges and interacts with eight fluorine atoms from neighbouring CF3 groups. The yttrium ions are six-coordinated (trigonal prismatic)... 

Fluorides. Uranium fluorides play an important role in the nuclear fuel cycle as well as in the production of uranium metal. The dark purple UF [13775-06-9] has been prepared by two different methods neither of which neither have been improved. The first involves a direct reaction of UF [10049-14-6] and uranium metal under elevated temperatures, while the second consists of the reduction of UF [10049-14-6] by UH [13598-56-6]. The local coordination environment of uranium in the trifluoride is pentacapped trigonal prismatic with an 11-coordinate uranium atom. The trifluoride is... 

Chlorides. The oHve-green trichloride [10025-93-1], UCl, has been synthesized by chlorination of UH [13598-56-6] with HCl. This reaction is driven by the formation of gaseous H2 as a reaction by-product. The stmcture of the trichloride has been deterrnined and the central uranium atom possesses a riine-coordinate tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination geometry. The solubiUty properties of UCl are as follows soluble in H2O, methanol, glacial acetic acid insoluble in ethers. 

Bromides and Iodides. The red-brown tribromide, UBr [13470-19-4], and the black tniodide, Ul [13775-18-3], may both be prepared by direct interaction of the elements, ie, uranium metal with X2 (X = Br, I). The tribromide has also been prepared by interaction of UH and HBr, producing H2 as a reaction product. The tribromide and tniodide complexes are both polymeric soflds with a local bicapped trigonal prismatic coordination geometry. The tribromide is soluble in H2O and decomposes in alcohols. 

All three metals form a wide variety of binary chalcogenides which frequently differ both in stoichiometry and in structure from the oxides. Many have complex structures which are not easily described, and detailed discussion is therefore inappropriate. The various sulfide phases are listed in Table 22.4 phases approximating to the stoichiometry MS have the NiAs-type structure (p. 556) whereas MS2 have layer lattices related to M0S2 (p. 1018), Cdl2, or CdCl2 (p. 1212). Sometimes complex layer-sequences occur in which the 6-coordinate metal atom is alternatively octahedral and trigonal prismatic. Most of the phases exhibit... 

Key Colour % indicates preparation but no report of colour) mp/°C (na indicates value not reported) coordination 9 ttp = tricapped trigonal prismatic 8 d = dodecahedral 8 sa = square antiprismatic 8 btp = bicapped trigonal prismatic 8,7 = mixed 8- and 7-coordination (SrBr2 structure) 7 cc = capped octahedral 7 pbp = pentagonal bipyramidal 6 o = octahedral 6 och = octahedral chain, 6 ol = octahedral layered. 

MP2, MAs2 and MSb2 all have a compressed form of the marcasite structure, while the carbides MC have trigonal prismatic coordination in the WC structure. Several borides are known MB2 has nets of boron atoms. RunBg has branched chains while RU7B3 has isolated borons. 

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