The real topological configuration of the extra-framework content in alkali-poor beryl: A multi-methodological study.

The crystal structure of alkali/water-poor beryl (H2O + Na2O + Cs2O < 1.2 wt%) was reinvestigated by means of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, neutron diffraction, and polarized infrared spectroscopy to determine the real topological configuration of the extra-framework content in the six-membered ring channels. Analysis of the nuclear density Fourier map suggests that the (water) oxygen is located along the sixfold axis at the 2a site (0,0,1/4), whereas the (water) protons are at -0.028(7), -0.071(3), 0.332(1). The hydrogen atoms are distributed in 6 x 2 equivalent positions, above and below the oxygen site. Geometrical configuration of the water molecule is well defined: the O-H bond distance is 0.949(18) Å and the H-O-H bond angle is 106.9(2.2)º. The H⋯H vector is oriented at ∼4° from [001]. This configuration is completely different from that found in alkali-rich beryl, where the H⋯H vector is perpendicular to [001]. Na is probably located, with the H2O oxygen, at the 2a site. According to the chemical analysis, which shows that the amounts of other alkali and earth-alkali cations are negligible (Rb, K, Mg, Mn ≤ 110 ppm, Ca ≤ 225 ppm, Cs ≤ 430 ppm), no effect of other cations on the extra-framework population was observed in the structural refinement. The final agreement index (R1) of the structural refinement was 0.037 for 34 refined parameters and 160 unique reflections with Fo 4σ(Fo). The topological configuration of the H2O molecule into the channel is confirmed by the spectroscopic investigation. Polarized single-crystal IR spectra show that the H2O molecule is oriented with the molecular symmetry axis perpendicular to the hexagonal axis and H⋯H vector parallel (or quasi-parallel) to [001]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]