A quaternary germanium(II) phosphate, Na[Ge4(PO4)3]

Abstract

A new germanium(II) phosphate, sodium tetragermanium tris(phosphate), Na[Ge4(PO4)3], has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The compound is isotypic with A[Sn4(PO4)3] (A = Na, K, NH4). It features a [Ge4(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.