Crystal growth and crystal structures of six novel phases in the Mn/As/O/Cl(Br) system, as well as magnetic properties of α-Mn3(AsO4)2

Abstract

Chemical vapour transport reactions (900°C → 820°C, Cl2 or Br2 as transport agent) of in situ formed Mn3(AsO4)2 yielded the orthoarsenates(V) α-Mn3(AsO4)2 and β-Mn3(AsO4)2 as well as the oxoarsenate(V) halide compounds Mn7(AsO4)4Cl2, Mn11(AsO4)7Cl, Mn11(AsO4)7Br and Mn5(AsO4)3Cl. The crystal structures of all six phases were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structures of α-and β-Mn3(AsO4)2 are isotypic with the corresponding phosphate phases γ- and α-Mn3(PO4)2, respectively, and are reported here for the first time. A comparative discussion with other structures of general composition M3(AsO4)2 (М = Mg; divalent first-row transition metal) is given. The unique crystal structures of Mn7(AsO4)4Cl2 and that of the two isotypic Mn11(AsO4)7X (X = Cl, Br) structures are composed of two [MnO5] polyhedra, two [MnO4Cl2] polyhedra (one with site symmetry 1¯), two AsO4 tetrahedra, and one [MnO5] polyhedron, three [MnO6] octahedra (one with site symmetry.m.), one [MnO4X], one [MnO5X] polyhedron and four AsO4 tetrahedra, respectively. The various polyhedra of the three arsenate(V) halides are condensed into three-dimensional framework structures by corner- and edge-sharing. Mn5(AsO4)3Cl adopts the chloroapatite structure. The magnetic and thermal properties of pure polycrystalline samples of a-Mn3(AsO4)2 were investigated in more detail. The magnetic susceptibility proves all Mn atoms to be in the oxidation state +2 yielding an effective magnetic moment per Mn atom of 5.9μB. Long-range antiferromagnetic ordering is observed below 8.2K consistent with the negative Curie-Weiss temperature of −50K derived from the high temperature susceptibility data.