Longitudinal positional ordering of n-alkane molecules in urea inclusion compounds

Weber, T.; Boysen, Hans and Frey, Friedrich (2000): Longitudinal positional ordering of n-alkane molecules in urea inclusion compounds. In: Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Vol. 56, No. 1: pp. 132-141

Abstract

The profiles of diffuse layers, which are present in diffraction patterns of urea inclusion compounds, are interpreted quantitatively by a longitudinal positional paracrystalline order of the alkane guest molecules within the channels of the urea-host framework structure, in agreement with the expected behaviour of a one-dimensional system. With decreasing temperature there is a gradual transition into long-range order behaviour. This ordering process remains unaffected by structural changes related to lateral correlations within and between both host and guest substructures, including a structural phase transformation. The differing behaviour of a mixed system (pentadecane/hexadecane) with average period almost commensurate with the urea host lattice is explained by the superposition of main and satellite layers. The distribution of both molecules within each tunnel is random.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Crystallography and Materials Science
• Subjects: 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• Language: English