NTa2MSi4O10 (M = Co, Ni) compounds have been obtained by annealing at
700 degrees C a xerogel prepared from silicon and sodium ethoxides and
M nitrate, Both silicates appear to be isostructural with the corresp
onding copper phase, with the presence of silicate pipes built up from
(Si8O20)(8-) units. The M cations define isolated (M2O8)(4-) dimers f
rom two edge-sharing square pyramids with M-M distances of around 3.17
Angstrom. The magnetic properties have been analyzed as the presence
of ferromagnetic interactions inside the dimers and antiferromagnetic
interactions between the dimers at low temperature. (C) 1997 Academic
Press.