Abstract
A ROTATIONAL or orientational disorder at room temperature in the arrangement of the nitrate ions has been observed in the crystalline lattices of a number of co-ordination compounds1–4, although no one has so far offered any explanation for this phenomenon. The factors which are known to influence the arrangement of any ionic group in a crystal are the symmetry, the size, and the moment of inertia of the group in question, as well as the nature of packing of various cations and anions. In some cases the charge on the complex cation is completely shielded by neutral groups which surround it, and so the electrostatic interaction with the anionic group is very weak. The net result is that the anion exhibits free rotation. An example of this is provided by the crystal structure of silver perchlorate dioxane complex5 in which the perchlorate ion exhibits free rotation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Viswanathan, K. S., and Kunchur, N. R., Acta Cryst., 14, 675 (1961).
Kinoshita, Y., Matsubara, I., Higuchi, T., and Saito, Y., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap., 32, 1221 (1959).
Kinoshita, Y., Matsubara, I., and Saito, Y., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap., 32, 1221 (1959).
Ooi, S., and Kuroya, H., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap., 36, 1083 (1963).
Prosen, R. J., and Trueblood, K. N., Acta Cryst., 9, 741 (1956).
Swink, L. N., and Ajoti, M., Acta Cryst., 13, 639 (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KUNCHUR, N. Effect of Environment on the Orientation of the Nitrate Ions in Crystals. Nature 208, 778–780 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/208778b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/208778b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.