The synthesis and structural characterization of novel transition metal fluorides

Abstract

High purity KMF6 and K2MF6 salts (M = Mo,Re, Ru, Os, Ir, Pt) are obtained from reduction hexafluorides. A rhombohedral unit cell is observed for KReF6. Fluoride ion capture by Lewis acids from the hexafluorometallate (IV) salts affords high purity tetrafluorides for M = Mo, Re, Ru, Os, and Pd. The structure of RuF4 is determined from X-ray synchrotron and neutron powder data. Unit cells based on theorthorhombic PdF4 type cell are derived from X-ray powder data for ReF4 and OsF4. Fluoride ion capture from KAgF4 provides the thermally unstable trifluoride as a bright, red, diamagnetic solid. The structure solution of AgF3 and redetermination of the AuF3 structure from X-ray synchrotron and neutron powder data demonstrate that the two are isostnictural. Thermal decomposition product of AgF3 is the mixed valence compound AgIIAg2IIIF8. Several new salts containing the (Ag - F)$n+\atop{n}$ chain cation are prepared. The first linear (Ag - F)$n+\atop{n}$ chain is observed in AgF+BF4- which crystallizes in a tetragonal unit. AgFAuF4 has a triclinic unit cell and is isostructural with CuFAuF4. AgFAuF6 has an orthorhombic unit cell and appears to be isostructural with AgFAsF6. A second mixed valence silver fluoride, AgIIAgIIIF5, is prepared, which magnetic measurements indicate is probably an AgF+ salt. Magnetic data for all of the AgF+ salts exhibit low magnitude, temperature independent paramagnetism characteristic of metallic systems. Cationic AG(II) in acidic AHF solutions is a powerful oxidizer, capable of oxidizing Xe to Xe(II) and O2 to O2+. Reactions with C6F6 and C3F6 suggest an electron capture mechanism for cationic AG(II) oxidations.