Symmetry in crystals
Infinitely repeating lattices
An integral number of unit translations along any axis will arrive at an identical point.
A unit translation along any axis will arrive at an identical point
The composition of each unit should be identical.
A unit translation parallel to any axis will arrive at an identical point
Face centered lattice
Unit Cell
3 axes, a, b, c and 3 angles , , and
4 3-fold axes along diagonals
4-fold axis
3 2-fold axes
1 6-fold axis 6-fold
A cube with 1 diagonal shortened or lengthened.
3-fold axis
1 2-fold axis 2-fold
2-fold axis
3-fold axis 4-fold axis 6-fold axis
Symmetry in Crystals
Rotational symmetry
Possible: 2, 3, 4, 6 - fold axes
Rotational inversion
Mirror plane
Screw axes: a combination of rotation and translation.
Screw axes: a combination of rotation and translation. 2 1 screw = 180 o rotation + 1/2 cell translation
3 1 screw = 120 o rotation + 1/3 unit translation
Glide plane: a combination of mirror and translational symmetry.
Glide plane: a combination of mirror and translational symmetry. 1/2 unit translation
Given the 7 crystal systems and various symmetry operations, the number of ways a continuously repeating lattice can be formed is limited.
Theoretical studies of the geometries of crystals completed in 1890 demonstrated that there are 230 ways to put together an infinitely repeating lattice.
Unit Cell
Space group P1
Unit Cell P1 = primitive cell + inversion center
Unit Cell P1 = primitive cell + inversion center
Unit Cell x, y, z = 0, 0, 0
Unit Cell x, y, z = 1, 0, 0
Unit Cell x, y, z = 0, 1, 0
Unit Cell x, y, z = 0, 0, 1
Unit Cell x, y, z = 1, 0, 1
Unit Cell x, y, z = 1, 1, 1
Unit Cell P1 = primitive cell + inversion center
Inversion Center Cartesian Coordinates: x, y, z 0, 0, 0 -x, -y, -z -0, -0, -0 Fractional coordinates: the fraction one must move along each axis to arrive at a point.
Inversion Center Cartesian Coordinates: x, y, z 0, 0, 0 1, 0, 0 -x, -y, -z -0, -0, -0 -1, -0, -0
Inversion Center Cartesian Coordinates: x, y, z 0, 0, 0 1, 0, 0 -x, -y, -z -0, -0, -0 -1, -0, -0 An integral number of unit translations results in an identical point in the lattice.
Unit Cell P1 = primitive cell + inversion center 1/2, 1/2, 1/2
Inversion Center Cartesian Coordinates: x, y, z 0, 0, 0 1/2, 1/2, 1/2 -x, -y, -z -0, -0, -0 -1/2, -1/2, -1/2 An integral number of unit translations results in an identical point in the lattice.
Unit Cell P1 = primitive cell + inversion center 1, 1, 1/2
Inversion Center Cartesian Coordinates: x, y, z 0, 0, 0 1, 1, 1/2 -x, -y, -z -0, -0, -0 -1, -1, -1/2 An integral number of unit translations results in an identical point in the lattice.
What causes crystals to form and take a particular structure?
Strong Forces: Electrostatic forces in ionic crystals.
NaCl
+ -
NaCl
NaCl ionic bond energy is 785 kj/mol.
NaCl CsCl
Na Å Cl Å Cs Å
NaCl CsCl Two different cells; same charges; same stoichiometry.
Determining the contents of the unit cell.
NaCl Ion within cell = 1 per cell
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion within cell = 1 per cell (shared with 2 cells)
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion within cell = 1 per cell (shared with 4 cells)
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell Ion within cell = 1 per cell (shared with 8 cells)
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 6 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 12 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 0 8 Na + Cl Ion within cell = 1 per cell
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 6 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 12 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 0 8 Na + Cl Total ions in cell: Na + Cl Ion within cell = 1 per cell
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 6 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 12 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 0 8 Na + Cl Total ions in cell: Na + Cl Ion within cell = 1 per cell
NaCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 6 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 12 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 0 8 Na + Cl Total ions in cell: Na + Cl Z = 4 Ion within cell = 1 per cell
Determining ionic radii using crystal structures.
CsCl
Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell Ion within cell = 1 per cell
CsCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 0 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell Cs + Cl - Ion within cell = 1 per cell
CsCl Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 0 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell Cs + Cl - Z = 1 Ion within cell = 1 per cell
Ionic crystals are held together by strong electrostatic forces. The crystal unit cell is influenced by ionic sizes.
CaCl 2
Ion within cell = 1 per cell Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell CaCl 2
Ion within cell = 1 per cell Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell CaCl 2
Ion within cell = 1 per cell Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell CaCl 2
Ion within cell = 1 per cell Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell CaCl 2
Ion within cell = 1 per cell 1 2 Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 4 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 8 0 CaCl 2 Ca 2+ Cl -
Ion within cell = 1 per cell 1 2 Ion on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 0 4 Ion on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 0 Ion at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 8 0 CaCl 2 Ca 2+ Cl - Z = 2
Diamond
The strengths of chemical bonds: kJ/mol Weak < 200 Average Strong >800
Diamond C - C covalent bond = Å Bond enthalpy 348 kJ/mol
Diamond C - C covalent bond = Å Bond enthalpy 348 kJ/mol
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell 4 Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell C
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell 4 Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 6 Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell C
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell 4 Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 6 Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell C
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell 4 Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 6 Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 8 C
Diamond Atom within cell = 1 per cell 4 Atom on face of cell = 1/2 per cell 6 Atom on edge of cell = 1/4 per cell 0 Atom at corner of cell = 1/8 per cell 8 C Z = 8
Molecular Crystals
Molecular Crystals: Consist of repeating arrays of molecules and/or ions.
C 17 H 24 NO 2 + Cl -. 3 H 2 O
V = Å 3 C 17 H 24 NO 2 + Cl -. 3 H 2 O FW = g/mol Z = 2 Density = g x cm 3 Density = g (2) x x 6.02 x = g/cm 3
C 17 H 24 NO 2 + Cl -. 3 H 2 O
Although Z = 2, the unit cell contains portions of a number of molecules.
Cl -
H2OH2O
H2OH2O Hydrogen bonds Cl OH 2
Hydrogen bond
Model with atoms having VDW radii.
C 17 H 24 NO 2 + Cl -. 3 H 2 O Although this material is ionic, the + and - charges are not close enough to contribute to the formation of the crystal.
Molecular crystals tend to be held together by forces weaker than chemical bonds. van der Waal’s forces are always a factor. Hydrogen bonding is often present.
A layer in an ionic solid with ions of similar radii.