The hydrogen-bonding transition and isotope-dependent negative thermal expansion in H3Co(CN)6

J Phys Condens Matter. 2010 Oct 13;22(40):404202. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/22/40/404202. Epub 2010 Sep 22.

Abstract

We investigate the structures of H(3)Co(CN)(6) and D(3)Co(CN)(6) and their temperature dependence using a combination of advanced neutron and x-ray diffraction techniques. Lattice parameter refinements show marked temperature- and isotope-dependent effects in the thermal expansion behaviour. Reverse Monte Carlo modelling of neutron total scattering data characterizes the distribution of D atom positions in the deuterated compound; analysis of these distributions reveals that the two N-H/D bonds become increasingly different with increasing temperature, suggesting a mechanism for the observed thermal expansion anomalies. We discuss these results in the context of the previous crystallographic, spectroscopic and theoretical results for H(3)Co(CN)(6) and 'super-short' N···H···N systems in general.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cobalt / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cyanides / chemistry*
  • Deuterium / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monte Carlo Method*
  • Neutron Diffraction

Substances

  • Cyanides
  • Cobalt
  • Hydrogen
  • Deuterium