CsAlZr2(PO4)4: an anhydrous aluminium zirconium phosphate with a novel three-dimensional framework

Caesium aluminium dizirconium tetrakis[phosphate(V)], CsAlZr(2)(PO(4))(4), has been synthesized by high-temperature reaction and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature. This represents the first detailed structural analysis of an anhydrous phosphate containing both zirconium and aluminium. The structure features a complicated three-dimensional framework of [AlZr(2)(PO(4))(4)] constructed by PO(4), AlO(4) and ZrO(6) polyhedra interconnected via corner-sharing O atoms, and one-dimensional Cs chains which are located in the infinite tunnels within the [AlZr(2)(PO(4))(4)] framework, which run along the c axis. The Cs, Al, one P and two O atoms lie on a mirror plane, while a second P atom lies on a twofold axis.