Synthesis, structural evolution, and theoretical and physical studies of the novel compounds M2M09S11 (M = K, Rb) and related metastable materials CuxK1.8Mo9S11 (x = 0 or 2) containing bioctahedral Mo-9 clusters

The new isostructural K2Mo9S11 and Rb2Mo9S11 phases were prepared by solid- state reaction at 1500 degrees C in a sealed molybdenum crucible. Both comp ounds crystallize in the trigonal space group (SG) R (3) over bar c, Z = 6, a 9.271(1) Angstrom, c = 35.985(9) Angstrom and a = 9.356(2) Angstrom, c = 35.935(9) Angstrom for the K and Rb compounds, respectively, in the hexago nal setting. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X -ray diffraction data and consist of interconnected Mo9S11 units forming an original and unprecedented three-dimensional framework. Extended Huckel ti ght-binding (EHTB) calculations carried out on K2Mo9S11 indicate that such compounds an electron-deficient and may be reduced without altering the arr angement of the Mo9S11 units. This was verified by the insertion of copper into K2Mo9S11 by topotactic oxydo-reduction reaction, which leads to the ne w metastable Cu2K1.8Mo9S11 compound (SG R (3) over bar c, a = 9.4215(4) Ang strom, c = 35.444(2) Angstrom, Z = 6). The potassium nonstoichiometry of th is quaternary phase was confirmed by deintercalation of the copper in a HCl 12 M solution at 80 degrees C, leading to the K1.8Mo9S11 phase (SG R (3) o ver bar c, a 9.2801(8) Angstrom, c = 35.833(7) Angstrom, Z = 6). The X-ray single-crystal structures of K1.8Mo9S11 and Cu2K1.8Mo9S11 are also describe d. Electrical resistivity measurements carried out on single crystals of K2 Mo9S11 and Cu2K1.8Mo9S11 indicate that the former is metallic whereas the l atter is semiconducting, as expected from EHTB calculations. Magnetic and e lectrical resistivity measurements performed on K1.8Mo9S11 reveal a superco nducting behavior below 4.5 K.