Crystal Structure of α-VPO5

Abstract

α-VPO5 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/n with a = 6.014(7) and c = 4.434(2) Å. The structure, isotypic with that of α-VSO5, was refined by full-matrix least-squares method to an R value of 0.089 using 239 independent reflections. The vanadium ion lies on a crystallographic four-fold axis, as does one of the oxygen atoms, and the P on a site of [Formula: see text] symmetry. A second oxygen atom, as a result of disorder, occurs in two positions which are mirror reflected with respect to the ac plane. The structure consists of highly distorted VO6 groups with bond lengths along the c axis of 1.580(11) and 2.853(11) Å while the remaining four V—O bond lengths are all 1.858(8) Å. The P—O bond lengths in the PO4. tetrahedron are 1.541(8) Å with the PO4 groups bridging across four chains of VO6 groups.