A quaternary germanium(II) phosphate, Na[Ge-4(PO4)(3)]

Abstract

A new germanium(II) phosphate, sodium tetragermanium tris( phosphate), Na[Ge-4(PO4)(3)], has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The compound is isotypic with [Sn-4(PO4)(3)] (A=Na, K, NH4). It features a [Ge-4(PO4)(3)](-) framework made up of GeO3 pyramids and PO4 tetrahedra, which are linked by shared corners, yielding a three-dimensional structure. The crystal studied showed partial inversion twinning.