Structure and properties of a new electride, Rb+(cryptand[2.2.2])e-

This is the sixth electride whose crystal structure has been determined and the fourth to show polymorphism. Crystals of the title electride prepared from mixed solvents have a structure similar to that of Li+(cryptand[2.1.1])e(-). Electrons occupy cavities that are connected by ladder-like channels. The static and spin magnetic susceptibilities of polycrystalline samples that contain this polymorph (called phase alpha) show Heisenberg 1D antiferromagnetic behavior with -J/k(B) = 30 K. Similar to other electrides with localized electrons, this electride is a poor conductor (sigma < 10(-4) ohm(-1)cm(-1)). Thin films prepared by high vacuum co-deposition of Rb metal and cryptand[2.2.2] have optical spectra and near-metallic electrical conductivity nearly identical with these of K+(cryptand[2.2.2])e(-). These properties would not be expected if the film structure were the same as that obtained for crystals. Rather, they suggest that the films consist of microcrystals whose structure is similar to that of K+(cryptand[2.2.2])e(-). Polycrystalline samples prepared by slow evaporation of methylamine from stoichiometric solutions at -78 degrees C (called phase beta) have properties similar to those of K+(cryptand[2.2.2])e(-). The conductivity of samples that contain phase beta is more than an order of magnitude larger than those with phase a. Magnetic and spin susceptibilities show that phase beta samples have much larger electron-electron interactions. As with K+(cryptand[2.2.2])e(-), the maenetic susceptibility of phase beta is compatible with alternating linear chain Heisenberg antiferromagnetism, with -J/k(B) approximate to 300 K and -J'/k(B) approximate to 240 K. Thin vapor co-deposited films show abrupt changes in the conductivity and optical spectrum at -12 degrees C that suggest a transition that may be conversion of phase beta to phase alpha.