Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of the catena -metaphosphates Ce(PO3)4 and U(PO3)4

Abstract

Abstract The catena-metaphosphates of tetravalent cerium and tetravalent uranium were obtained as phase pure crystalline powders by reaction of the respective dioxides with phosphoric acid at 500 °C. Ce(PO3)4 and U(PO3)4 crystallise in space group C2/c (Z = 16, a Ce = 13.7696(3) Å, b Ce = 29.7120(7) Å, c Ce = 8.9269(2) Å, β Ce = 90.00(1) Å3 and a U = 13.786(3) Å, b U = 29.843(6) Å, c U = 8.9720(18) Å, β U = 90.01(3) Å3). The vibrational and optical spectra of pale yellow Ce(PO3)4 and emerald-greenish U(PO3)4 are also reported.