The crystal structure of vismodegib has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Vismodegib crystallizes in space group P21/a (#14) with a = 16.92070(20), b = 10.20235(4), c = 12.16161(10) Å, β = 108.6802(3)°, V = 1988.873(9) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of corrugated layers of molecules parallel to the bc-plane. There is only one classical hydrogen bond in the structure, between the amide nitrogen atom and the N atom of the pyridine ring. Pairs of these hydrogen bonds link the molecules into dimers, with a graph set R2,2(14) > a > a. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

The dynamic charge density of KZnB3O6, which contains edge-sharing BO4 units, has been characterized using laboratory and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques. The experimental electron density distribution (EDD) was constructed using the maximum-entropy method (MEM) from single crystal diffraction data obtained at 81 and 298 K. Additionally, MEM-based pattern fitting (MPF) method was employed to refine the synchrotron powder diffraction data obtained at 100 K. Both the room-temperature single crystal diffraction data and the cryogenic synchrotron powder diffraction data reveal an intriguing phenomenon: the edge-shared B2O2 ring exhibits a significant charge density accumulation between the O atoms. Further analysis of high-quality single crystal diffraction data collected at 81 K, with both high resolution and large signal-to-noise ratio, reveals no direct O–O bonding within the B2O2 ring. The experimental EDD of KZnB3O6 obtained aligns with the results obtained from ab-initio calculations. Our work underscores the importance of obtaining high-quality experimental data to accurately determine EDDs.

Least-squares analysis on the diffraction intensity values certified for NIST SRM676a and SRM1976c α-Al2O3 (corundum) have shown that the intensities of SRM1976c can be simulated by the March-Dollase preferred orientation model along the (001)-direction. Diffraction intensities of randomly oriented corundum crystallites have been calculated from electron density data obtained by conventional and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, on the assumption of independent and similar atomic displacements for Al and O atoms. The results of DFT calculations support that the strongest peak of randomly oriented α-Al2O3 crystalline powder should be 113-reflection, though the intensities simulated by DFT calculations are not closer to NIST SRM676a intensities than those expected for a fully ionized model ${\rm Al}_2^{3 + } {\rm O}_3^{2-}$. Diffraction data of two types of relatively fine (nominally 2–3 μm and ca 0.3 μm) α-Al2O3 powder have been collected and processed by a deconvolutional treatment (DCT). Integrated peak intensities extracted from the DCT data by an individual peak profile fitting method also support that the 113-reflection is the strongest reflection of randomly oriented α-Al2O3 crystalline powder.

Pb–Zr–Ti–O (PZT) perovskites span a large solid-solution range and have found widespread use due to their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties that also span a large range. Crystal structure analysis via Rietveld refinement facilitates materials analysis via the extraction of the structural parameters. These parameters, often obtained as a function of an additional dimension (e.g., pressure), can help to diagnose materials response within a use environment. Often referred to as “in-situ” studies, these experiments provide an abundance of data. Viewing structural changes due to applied pressure conditions can give much-needed insight into materials performance. However, challenges exist for viewing/presenting results when the details are inherently three-dimensional (3D) in nature. For PZT perovskites, the use of polyhedra (e.g., Zr/Ti–O6 octahedra) to view bonding/connectivity is beneficial; however, the visualization of the octahedra behavior with pressure dependence is less easily demonstrated due to the complexity of the added pressure dimension. We present a more intuitive visualization by projecting structural data into virtual reality (VR). We employ previously published structural data for Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 as an exemplar for VR visualization of the PZT R3c crystal structure between ambient and 0.62 GPa pressure. This is accomplished via our in-house CAD2VR™ software platform and the new CrystalVR plugin. The use of the VR environment enables a more intuitive viewing experience, while enabling on-the-fly evaluation of crystal data, to form a detailed and comprehensive understanding of in-situ datasets. Discussion of methodology and tools for viewing are given, along with how recording results in video form can enable the viewing experience.

Although being an old concern, phosphate analysis is still a tremendous challenge. While many different experimental techniques are found in the literature, very few use powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns for quantitative phase analysis of different phosphate types. Our measurements performed in four commercial samples of diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) (DAP) show the existence of phosphate contamination mixtures, such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4) (ADP). The larger the amount of ADP, the larger the microstrain induced in the DAP phase, which impacts both the aggregation of the nanoparticles in solution and the final anticancer activity of the nanostructure. This study shows that PXRD is an excellent technique for quantitative phase analysis to determine the presence and amount of phosphate contamination in diammonium hydrogen phosphate samples.

The crystal structure of one form of halofuginone hydrobromide has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Halofuginone hydrobromide crystallizes in space group P21 (#4) with a = 8.87398(13), b = 14.25711(20), c = 15.0153(3) Å, β = 91.6867(15)°, V = 1898.87(4) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers (parallel to the ab-plane) of planar and nonplanar portions of the cations. N–H⋯Br and O–H⋯Br hydrogen bonds link the protonated piperidine rings and bromide anions into a two-dimensional network parallel to the ab-plane. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

A new compound NH4Co2OH(MoO4)2⋅H2O was prepared by precipitation of aqueous solutions of cobalt nitrate and ammonium heptamolybdate at pH = 7.5. The crystal structure was identified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Rietveld refinement as a known polymorph of layered molybdates (Φy) with general formula AT2OH(MoO4)2⋅H2O (A = NH4+, Na+, K+ and T = Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+) and refined from a model based on that structure. The lattice parameters were refined with R-3 space group (148) a = 6.1014(2) Å, b = 6.1014(2) Å, c = 21.826(1) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, and γ = 120°.

(S)-α-Ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide (trade name levetiracetam), a derivative of piracetam, is used clinically as an add-on treatment for partial-onset seizures. In this study, we report the solid-state structure of a new drug co-crystal produced from levetiracetam and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid through cooling crystallization. This compound was further characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The new co-crystals show a 1:1 stoichiometry and crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P21, with cell parameters: a = 9.7709(3) Å, b = 6.2202(2) Å, c = 14.7280(4) Å, α = 90°, β = 96.0340(10)°, γ = 90°, V = 890.16(5) Å3, and Z = 2. It is identified that hydrogen bonds are the main interactions between levetiracetam and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, and the contribution of each hydrogen bond in maintaining the stability of the crystal structure was also quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an important industrial solvent but is additionally a common component of liquid lithium-ion battery electrolytes. Pure DMC has a melting point of 277 K, so encountering solidification under outdoor climatic conditions is very likely in many locations around the globe. Even eutectic, ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate commercial LiPF6 salt electrolyte formulations can start to solidify at temperatures around 260 K with obvious consequences for their performance. No structures for crystalline DMC are currently available which could be a hindrance for in situ battery studies at reduced temperatures. A time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction study of the phase behavior and crystal structures of deuterated DMC was undertaken to help fill this knowledge gap. Three different orthorhombic crystalline phases were found with a previously unreported low-temperature phase transition around 50–55 K. The progression of Pbca → Pbcm → Ibam space groups follow a sequence of group–subgroup relationships with the final Ibam structure being disordered around the central carbon atom.

The crystal structure of oxibendazole has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Oxibendazole crystallizes in space group C2/c (#15) with a = 23.18673(22), b = 5.35136(5), c = 19.88932(13) Å, β = 97.0876(9)°, V = 2449.018(17) Å3, and Z = 8. The structure consists of hydrogen-bonded layers of planar molecules parallel to the bc-plane. Strong N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into dimers, with a graph set R2,2(8). N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds further link these dimers into layers parallel to the bc-plane. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

A new polymorphic form of sodium selenite pentahydrate is reported in this contribution. We determined its crystal structure from laboratory powder diffraction data recorded at room temperature. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system P21/n with Z = 4. The lattice parameters are a = 15.01473(16) Å, b = 7.03125(7) Å, c = 8.13336(10) Å, β = 98.4458(10)°, and V = 849.345(16) Å3. The crystal structure exhibits a layered structure with isolated 1D chains running along the b-axis.

The field of research related to CO2 capture is significant and really attractive for sustainable green chemistry. Focusing attention on this topic in our research led to obtaining new compounds based on diamines. As a result of the syntheses carried out using aqueous solutions of diamines exposed to the slow action of carbon dioxide from the air, three new monocarbamates were obtained. X-ray powder diffraction data for the obtained compounds: 12-propCO2 (C4H10N2O2) [a = 9.3033(7), b = 9.2485(7), c = 7.4735(7) Å, β = 111.214(7)°, V = 599.46 Å3, Z = 4, space group Ia]; 13-propCO2 (C4H10N2O2) [a = 5.0065(10), b = 12.2093(23), c = 4.9006(10) Å, β = 96.457(18)°, V = 297.65 Å3, Z = 2, space group P21]; and 13-dytekCO2 (C6H14N2O2) [a = 28.374(3), c = 5.1726(9) Å, V = 3606.53 Å3, Z = 18, space group $R\bar{3}$] are reported in this paper.

The crystal structure of toceranib has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Toceranib crystallizes in space group P21/c (#14) with a = 10.6899(6), b = 24.5134(4), c = 7.8747(4) Å, β = 107.7737(13)°, V = 1965.04(3) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of stacks of approximately planar molecules, with N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the layers. The commercial reagent sample was a mixture of two or more phases with toceranib being the dominant phase. The difference between the Rietveld-refined and DFT-optimized structures is larger than usual. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

The crystal structure of meglumine diatrizoate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Meglumine diatrizoate crystallizes in space group P21 (#4) with a = 10.74697(4), b = 6.49364(2), c = 18.52774(7) Å, β = 90.2263(3), V = 1292.985(5) Å3, and Z = 2. Two different crystal structures, which yielded essentially identical refinement residuals and positions of the non-H atoms, were obtained. The differences were in the H atom positions and the hydrogen bonding. One structure was 123.0 kJ/mol/cell lower in energy than the other and was adopted for the final description. The crystal structure consists of alternating double layers of cations and anions along the c-axis. The hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions into a three-dimensional framework. Each of the hydrogen atoms on the ammonium nitrogen of the cation acts as a donor in a strong N–H⋯O hydrogen bond. One of these is to a hydroxyl group of another cation, and the other is to the carboxylate group of the anion. Each of the amide nitrogen atoms of the anion forms a strong N–H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bond, one to a carbonyl and the other to a carboxylate group. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is frequently used to measure layer thickness in the micrometer range. But also X-ray diffraction (XRD) can be used in a comparable way and offers the benefit to differentiate coating layers by their crystal structure. Thus, the thickness of different oxide layers of the same element can be determined, e.g., FeO, Fe3O4, and Fe2O3 on Fe-substrate. An approach for such measurement is discussed. Furthermore, with a suitable sample stage, a spatially resolved coating thickness map can be measured in a nondestructive way. Applications and validations of the presented XRD method for the measurement of the thickness of zinc coatings on steel are given and compared with results from XRF, glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy, and optical micrographs. In addition, the methodology was tested and validated using XRF reference standards and iron nitride and iron oxide layers.

Quantitative phase analysis (QPA) of slags is complex due to the natural richness of phases and variability in sample composition. The number of phases frequently exceeds 10, with certain slag types (EAF, BOF, blends, stainless) having extreme peak overlap, making identification difficult. Another convolution arises from the variable crystallite sizes of phases found in slag, as well as the mixture of crystalline and amorphous components specific to each slag type. Additionally, polymorphs are common because of the complexity of the steelmaking and slag cooling processes, such as the cation-doped calcium aluminum silicate (Ca3Al2O6, C3A, Z = 24) supercell in LMF slag. References for these doped variants may not exist or in many cases are not known in advance, therefore it is incumbent on the analyzer to be aware of such discrepancies and choose the best available reference. All issues can compound to form a highly intricate QPA and have prevented previous methods of QPA from accurately measuring phase components in slag. QPA was performed via the internal standard method using 8 wt% ZnO as the internal standard and JADE Pro's Whole Pattern Fitting analysis. For each phase, five variables (lattice parameters, preferred orientation, scale factor, temperature factor, and crystallite size) must be accounted for during quantitation, with a specific emphasis on not refining crystallite sizes for iron oxides and trace phases as they are inclined to over-broaden and interact with the background to improve the goodness of fit (R/E value). Preliminary investigations show somewhat reliable results with the use of custom file sets created within PDF-4+ specifically targeted toward slag minerals to further regulate and normalize the analysis process. The objective of this research is to provide a standard protocol for collecting data, as well as to update methodologies and databases for QPA, to the slag community for implementation in a conventional laboratory setting. Currently, Whole Pattern Fitting “Modified” Rietveld block refinement coupled with the addition of a ZnO internal standard gives the most accurate QPA results, though further research is needed to improve upon the complex issues found in this study of the QPA of slags.

The crystal structure of danofloxacin mesylate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Danofloxacin mesylate crystallizes in space group P1 (#1) with a = 6.77474(8), b = 12.4973(4), c = 12.82826(28) Å, α = 84.8709(29), β = 87.7501(10), γ = 74.9916(4)°, V = 1044.723(11) Å3, and Z = 2. The protonation of the danofloxacin cations was established by the analysis of potential intermolecular interactions and differs from that expected from isolated-cation calculations. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of cations and anions parallel to the ac-plane. There is parallel stacking of the oxoquinoline rings along the a-axis. The expected N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the cations and anions are not present. Each cation makes an N–H⋯O hydrogen bond with the other cation, resulting in zig-zag chains along the a-axis. Both cations have strong intramolecular O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds. There are several C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the danofloxacin cations and mesylate anions. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

Polycrystalline Ba0.8Sr0.2Ti0.6Zr0.3Mn0.1O3 was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 1600°C. The single phase formation of the compound without any impurities was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique. The prepared compound crystallized to a cubic structure with a space group of Pm-3m and the refined lattice parameters were a = b = c = 4.0253 Ǻ, α = β = γ = 90°. Rietveld refinement was carried for the powder XRD data using GSAS software and the experimental data peaks were indexed by Powder X software.