Polarized Raman spectra measured on single crystals of Bi-2(MoO4)(3) are pr
esented for the first time. An assignment of the observed peaks is performe
d on the basis of calculated vibrational modes of a representative cluster
composed of three MoO4 and two BiO8. The analysis of the Raman spectra show
s that in Bi-2(MoO4)(3) the long-range electrostatic and the Bi-O-Mo bond b
ending interactions contribute substantially to the potential and the inter
nal polyhedral modes are strongly influenced by the environment of the oxyg
en atoms. Copyright (C) 1999 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.