Sequence of phase transitions in (NH4)3SiF7.

Single crystals of silicon double salt (NH4)3SiF7 = (NH4)2SiF6·NH4F = (NH4)3[SiF6]F were grown and studied by the methods of polarization optics, X-ray diffraction and calorimetry. A sequence of symmetry transformations with the temperature change was established: P4/mbm (Z = 2) (G1) ↔ Pbam (Z = 4) (G2) ↔ P21/c (Z = 4) (G3) ↔ P1[combining macron] (Z = 4) (G4) ↔ P21/c (Z = 8) (G5). Crystal structures of different phases were determined. The experimental data were also interpreted by a group-theoretical analysis of the complete condensate of order parameters taking into account critical and noncritical atomic displacements. Strengthening of the N-HF hydrogen bonds can be a driving force of the observed phase transitions.