| The basic reactants in compound formation, i.e. atoms or ions, are
often known to exhibit preferences for definite crystallographic positions
in the structure assumed by the resulting compound. Such
preferences, commonly designated site preference, can be directtld
towards specific coordinations with the nearest neighbours, or towards
one of two or more non-equivalent sites with the same coordination
polyhedron (subiattice site preference). The present paper describes
some of the empirical and semi-empirical factors, e.g. radius ratio,
ionic ratio, bond strength, electronegativity etc which have been
found to influence site preferences in specific cases. The role of these
factors in the synthesis of inorganic pure compounds and solid solutions
has been indicated with relevant examples. |
