Crystal structure of alluaudite-type Na4Co(MoO4)3

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Crystallography

Background:

• Alluaudite compounds are known for their diverse structural frameworks.
• Understanding the structural nuances of novel alluaudite derivatives is crucial for materials science.
• Cobalt and molybdenum-based compounds exhibit interesting magnetic and catalytic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize tetra-sodium cobalt(II) tris-[molyb-date(IV)].
• To elucidate the crystal structure of the title compound.
• To compare its structure with known alluaudite family members.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state reaction synthesis.
• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural determination.
• Comparison with isotypic and related alluaudite structures.

Main Results:

• Tetra-sodium cobalt(II) tris-[molyb-date(IV)] was successfully prepared.
• The crystal structure is isotypic with Na3In2(AsO4)3 and Na3In2(PO4)3.
• A 3D framework of edge-sharing X2O10 (X = Co/Na) dimers linked by MoO4 tetrahedra was identified, creating hexagonal tunnels for Na+ cations.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized compound exhibits a characteristic alluaudite structure.
• Cobalt and sodium atoms share a common crystallographic site.
• The structural details provide insights into the alluaudite family and related inorganic materials.