Chemical Preparation, Thermal Behavior and IR Studies of the New Chromium Diphosphate Hydrate and Crystal Structure of its Corresponding Anhydrous

Abstract

Chemical preparation, thermal behavior, and IR studies are given for the diphosphate Cr4(P2O7)3.28H2O and its anhydrous form Cr4(P2O7)3. Cr4(P2O7)3.28H2O, is monoclinic P2/m with the following unit-cell dimensions : a = 16.169(1)Å, b = 9.336(5)Å, c = 9.446(4)Å, β = 124.796(5)°, and Z = 4. The total dehydration of Cr4(P2O7)3.28H2O, between 90°C and 450°C, leads to its anhydrous form, Cr4(P2O7)3. Cr4(P2O7)3 is isotopic to V4(P2O7)3, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system, space group Pmcn, Z = 4 with the following unit-cell dimensions: a = 7.25(2), b = 9.38(1)Å and c = 21.00(4)Å. Cr4(P2O7)3 is stable until its melting point at 1050°C. The thermal behavior of Cr4(P2O7)3.28H2O has been investigated and interpreted by comparison with IR absorption spectrometry and X-ray diffraction experiments.