Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2025

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Improper ferroelastic phase transition in a hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide-based (azetidinium)2(H3O)[Co(CN)6]
Marcin Moskwa1, Paweł Sobieszczyk2, Julia W Mikurenda1
1Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, Wrocław 50-383, Poland. marcin.moskwa@uwr.edu.pl.
Researchers created a new hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide framework by adding hydronium ions. This substitution transforms the structure, leading to a phase transition in the material.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Metallocyanide frameworks are versatile materials with diverse applications.
- The A2B(1)B(2)CN6 structure type offers potential for novel material design.
- Controlling structural transitions is key to developing advanced functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide framework.
- To investigate the structural changes induced by hydronium cation substitution.
- To explore the ferroelastic properties of the new material.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the (AZE)2(H3O)[Co(CN)6] framework.
- X-ray diffraction analysis to determine crystal structure.
- Phase transition studies to identify ferroelastic behavior.
Main Results:
- A novel hydrogen-bonded metallocyanide framework, (AZE)2(H3O)[Co(CN)6], was successfully synthesized.
- Substitution of K+ with H3O+ transformed the 3D double-perovskite structure into 2D layers with open inorganic cages.
- A strongly discontinuous improper ferroelastic phase transition was observed.
Conclusions:
- The introduction of hydronium cations into the A2B(1)B(2)CN6 structure leads to significant structural modifications.
- The resulting layered framework exhibits interesting ferroelastic properties.
- This work opens avenues for designing new functional materials based on metallocyanide frameworks.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar 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,...
Conformations of Cyclohexane
The chair form is the most stable and derives its name from its resemblance to the “easy chair.” In the chair conformation, two carbon atoms are arranged out-of-plane — one above and one below, minimizing the torsional strain. In the chair form, the bond angle is very close to the ideal...
Structural Isomerism
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...
Valence Bond Theory

