Pentastrontium Tris[tetraoxovanadate(V)] catena‐Monoxocuprate(I), Sr5(VO4)3(CuO) – An Apatite Derivative with Inserted Linear 1Ë[CuO]1– Chains

Sr₅(VO₄)₃(CuO) was prepared via solid state reactions from mixed powders of the metal oxides or carbonates in corundum crucibles in air (1173–1740 K). The compound is transparent and stable in air. The color changes with the preparation temperature from light gray (1173 K) to gray (1740 K). The crystal structure (space group P6₃/m, No. 176; Z = 2; a = 10.126 Å, c = 7.415 Å) is a derivative of the apatite Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, and is characterized by isolated [VO₄]^3– anions (d(V–O) = 1.710 Å) and infinite linear ^1∞[CuO]^1– chains (d(Cu–O) = 1.854 Å) inserted in the channels parallel to the hexagonal axis. The compound prepared at 1740 K contains vacancies at the copper and oxygen positions of the linear chains (about 10% and 5%, respectively).