The A1−xUNbO6−x/2 compounds (x=0, A=Li, Na, K, Cs and x=0.5, A=Rb, Cs): from layered to tunneled structure

Attempts to prepare alkaline metal uranyl niobates of composition A1−xUNbO6−x/2 by high-temperature solid-state reactions of A2CO3, U3O8 and Nb2O5 led to pure compounds for x=0 and A=Li (1), Na (2), K (3), Cs (4) and for x=0.5 and A=Rb (5), Cs (6). Single crystals were grown for 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and for the mixed Na0.92Cs0.08UNbO6 (7) compound. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, P21/c, a=10.3091(11), b=6.4414(10), c=7.5602(5) Å, β=100.65(1), Z=4, R1=0.054 (wR2=0.107); 3, 5 and 7 orthorhombic, Pnma, Z=8, with a=10.307(2), 10.272(4) and 10.432(3) Å, b=7.588(1), 7.628(3) and 7.681(2) Å, c=13.403(2), 13.451(5) and 13.853(4) Å, R1=0.023, 0.046 and 0.036 (wR2=0.058, 0.0106 and 0.088) for 3, 5 and 7, respectively; 6, orthorhombic, Cmcm, Z=8, and a=13.952(3), b=10.607(2) Å, c=7.748(2) Å, R1=0.044 (wR2=0.117).