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Ionic Crystal Structures

Ionic Crystal Structures

Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...

Coordination Number and Geometry

Coordination Number and Geometry

For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.

Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes

Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...

Structural Isomerism

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...

Resonance and Hybrid Structures

Resonance and Hybrid Structures

According to the theory of resonance, if two or more Lewis structures with the same arrangement of atoms can be written for a molecule, ion, or radical, the actual distribution of electrons is an average of that shown by the various Lewis structures.
Resonance Structures and Resonance Hybrids
The Lewis structure of a nitrite anion (NO2−) may actually be drawn in two different ways, distinguished by the locations of the N–O and N=O bonds.

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview

Cycloheptatriene is a neutral monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon that consists of an odd number of carbon atoms and an intervening sp3 carbon in the ring. The three double bonds in the ring correspond to 6 π electrons, which is a Huckel number, and therefore satisfies the criteria of 4n + 2 π electrons. However, the intervening sp3 carbon disrupts the continuous overlap of p orbitals. As a result, cycloheptatriene is not aromatic.
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group with both...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

$X-ray Powder Diffraction in Conservation Science: Towards Routine Crystal Structure Determination of Corrosion Products on Heritage Art Objects$

X-ray Powder Diffraction in Conservation Science: Towards Routine Crystal Structure Determination of Corrosion Products on Heritage Art Objects

Published on: June 8, 2016

Rhodizite: structure and composition.

M J Buerger, K Taxer

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|April 22, 1966

Summary

The mineral rhodizite

Area of Science:

Mineralogy
Crystallography
Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

Rhodizite's chemical formula was previously undetermined despite chemical analyses.
The crystal structure of rhodizite was not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the ideal chemical formula of rhodizite.
To elucidate the crystal structure of rhodizite.

Main Methods:

Crystal structure solution using X-ray diffraction data.
Analysis of atomic positions and coordination within the crystal lattice.

Main Results:

The ideal chemical formula for rhodizite was determined as CsB(12)Be(4)Al(4)O(28).
Oxygen atoms form a cubic close-packed array.

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Molten-Salt Synthesis of Complex Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

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Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex

Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex

Published on: July 27, 2022

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

$X-ray Powder Diffraction in Conservation Science: Towards Routine Crystal Structure Determination of Corrosion Products on Heritage Art Objects$

X-ray Powder Diffraction in Conservation Science: Towards Routine Crystal Structure Determination of Corrosion Products on Heritage Art Objects

Published on: June 8, 2016

Molten-Salt Synthesis of Complex Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Molten-Salt Synthesis of Complex Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Published on: October 27, 2018

Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex

Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex

Published on: July 27, 2022

Boron and beryllium atoms exhibit tetrahedral coordination, while aluminum atoms show octahedral coordination.

A continuous network of B(12)Be(4)Al(4)O(28) was identified, with cesium atoms encapsulated in cages.

Conclusions:

The determined ideal formula CsB(12)Be(4)Al(4)O(28) resolves previous ambiguities.
The crystal structure reveals a unique network framework and cesium's non-ionic behavior within the cage.