Searching for “LiCrIIPO4”

Abstract

The two new phosphates LiCrII4(PO4)3 and Li5CrII2CrIII(PO4)4 are discovered as equilibrium phases (ϑ=800°C) in the quarternary system Li/Cr/P/O. Their crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data {LiCrII4(PO4)3: violet-blue, Pnma (no. 62), Z=4, a=6.175(1)Å, b=14.316(3)Å, c=10.277(2)Å, 100 parameters, R1=0.028, wR2=0.08, 2060 unique reflections with Fo>4σ(Fo); Li5CrII2CrIII(PO4)4: greyish-green, P1¯ (no. 2), Z=1, a=4.9379(7)Å, b=7.917(2)Å, c=8.426(2)Å, α=109.98(2)°, β=90.71(1)°, γ=104.91(1)°, 131 parameters, R1=0.022, wR2=0.067, 1594 unique reflections with Fo>4σ(Fo)}. Li5CrII2CrIII(PO4)4 adopts an hitherto unknown structure type. The crystal structure of LiCrII4(PO4)3 is isotypic to that of NaCdII4(PO4)3 and related to that of the mineral silicocarnotite Ca5(PO4)2(SiO4). Significant disorder between Li+ and Cr2+ is observed for both crystal structures. The oxidation states assigned to chromium in these two phosphates are in agreement with UV/vis/NIR absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility data recorded for both compounds.Instead of “LiCrIIPO4” mixtures of LiCrII4(PO4)3, Li5CrII2CrIII(PO4)4, Cr2O3, and CrP are observed at equilibrium. Instead of “Li2CrIIP2O7” four-phase mixtures consisting of Li9CrIII3(P2O7)3(PO4)2, Li3CrIII2(PO4)3, LiCrP2O7, and CrP were obtained.