Synthesis and structure of bismuth copper vanadate, BiCu2VO6

The new compound BiCu2VO6 was synthesized, and its structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected at 150 and 298 K, Thi s compound crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n with Z = 12 at both temperat ures. At room temperature, a = 13.4932(1) Angstrom, b = 7.8224(1) Angstrom, c = 15.7972(1) Angstrom, and beta = 113.113(1)degrees. The structure conta ins (BiO2)(-) chains and (VO4)(3-) tetrahedra with three crystallographical ly distinct sites for both Bi3+ and V5+. There are six crystallographically distinct sites for Cu2+; four show a square-pyramidal environment, and two are in distorted octahedra. The square pyramids share edges and corners, f orming Cu4O14 units. (C) 1998 Academic Press.