Structural and electronic properties of PbZrxTi1‐xO3 (x = 0.5, 0.375): A quantum chemical study

The structural and electronic properties of the PZT materials PbZr_0.5Ti_0.5O₃ and PbZr_0.375Ti_0.625O₃ were studied by means of a Hartree–Fock quantum chemical semiempirical method that employs a periodic large unit cell (LUC) model. The atomic relaxation observed upon introduction of the Zr impurities resulted in outward oxygen atom displacements along the 〈100〉 direction for the cubic phases and varied oxygen and lead atom movements for the tetragonal structures. For these materials, the conduction bands (CB) were composed mainly of Pb 6p atomic orbitals with less important contributions of Zr 4d and Ti 3d states. The upper valence band (UVB) for the cubic phases was mostly Pb 6s in nature, with minor contribution of O 2p atomic orbitals. The tetragonal phase on the other hand was formed by Pb 6s with some contribution of admixed O 2p with Zr s atomic orbitals. The optical band gap (ΔSCF method) was found to decrease going from the cubic to the tetragonal phase in both titanates. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 95: 37–43, 2003     

Crystal Structure of BaNb6.3(1)Ti3.6(1)O16 containing Nb6O12, fused Ti3O13 Clusters and Ti3O10 Units

A new phase, BaNb_6.3(1)Ti_3.6(1)O₁₆, has been synthesised. Electron diffraction studies indicate an hexagonal substructure with unit cell parameters a ≈ 8.9 Å and c ≈ 9.5 Å. In some of the ED patterns superstructure reflections are present, indicating a supercell with a = √3 · a_sub and c = c_sub. However, X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction studies of a crystallite yielding reflections corresponding to the supercell revealed it to be monoclinic, with the unit cell parameters a = 26.811(2) Å, b = 15.4798(2) Å, c = 9.414(2) Å, β = γ = 90° and α = 90.0(3)°. The average crystal structure was refined, using the subcell with a = 8.937(2) Å, b = 15.479(2) Å, c = 9.414(2) Å, β = γ = 90° and α = 90.0(3)°, space group Cm11, and Z = 4, to R_I = 3.24% and R_wI = 3.44%. The structure can be described as an hexagonal close packing layers of Nb₆ octahedra, Ba, and O atoms (A1, A2) and layers of O atoms (B1, B2), appearing in the packing sequence: A1B1A2B2. The Nb₆ octahedra are found in isolated Nb₆O₁₂O₆ clusters, and the Ti atoms in Ti₃O₁₃ and Ti₃O₁₀ units in octahedral and tetrahedral voids formed by O atoms, respectively. The Ti positions were found to be only partly occupied. Microanalysis indicates that some Nb atoms are located in the Ti₃ triangles. A model is presented that interprets these not fully occupied Ti₃ triangles as a result of a superimposing of three different structures. Two of these consist of two fused Ti₃O₁₃ units, forming an Ti₆O₁₉ unit, and a Ti₃O₁₀ unit, while the third consists of alternating Ti₃O₁₃ units.     

Variations on the theme of closest packing: The structural chemistry of barium titanate compounds

The crystal structures of most barium titanates can be described as hexagonal closest packings consisting of atoms of Ba and O and of vacancies between them. The pseudohexagonal cell constants of these compounds are close to the ideal hexagonal values. The most common stacking is the six-layer sequence (hcc)₂. The mean diameter of a closest packed particle in these packings is 2.85 Å, while the mean thickness of a layer is 2.33 Å. The recognition of this closest packing principle has been helpful in the solution of many of the crystal structures of this group. With the exception of BaTi₄O₉, all the barium titanates which are usually classified as tunnel structures or Wadsley-Andersson phases can be described as cubic closest packings. The deviations of the pseudocubic phases from the ideal cubic values are larger than in the pseudohexagonal cases. A few of the barium titanates are related to the so-called 3.0-Å phases based on the rutile-type octahedral chain. These structures are characterized by having two almost closest packed corrugated layers at right angles to each other. The structures of a number of compounds in which the Ti⁴⁺ atoms are replaced partly by Ti³⁺, Al, Pt⁴⁺, or Li are based on principles similar to those of the barium titanates proper. The mean TiO distances in the coordination octahedra of the barium titanates depend strongly on the distortions of the octahedra.     

Pr30Ti24I8O25Se58: Eine hochsymmetrische Struktur mit isolierten [Ti6(O)Se8]‐Clustereinheiten

Pr₃₀Ti₂₄I₈O₂₅Se₅₈: A Highly Symmetric Structure with Isolated [Ti₆(O)Se₈]‐Cluster Units Black crystals of Pr₃₀Ti₂₄I₈O₂₅Se₅₈ have been prepared by the reaction of Pr₂Se₃, Pr₂O₂Se, TiSe_2–x, and I₂ at 900 °C. Its crystal structure can be described as a variation of the NaCl structure type (space group Fm 3 m, a = 2319.91(15) pm, Z = 4). The compound contains the first example of a [Ti₆(O)Se₈] cluster. These clusters form a cubic close packing, where the octahedral and tetrahedral holes are occupied by “superoctahedral” and “supertetrahedral” building units, respectively.     

Synthesis and structures of the six-coordinate donor-acceptor complexes R3(C6H4O2)Sb…L (R=Ph, L=OSMe2 or ONC5H5; R=Me, L=ONC5H5 or NC5H5) and R3(C2H4O2)Sb…L (R=Ph, L=ONC5H5; R=Cl or C6F5, L=OPPh3)

One-pot oxidation of R₃Sb (R=Ph, Me, Cl, or C₆F₅) withtert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of 1,2-diols and monodentate donor compounds was studied. The structures of the resulting neutral organic donor-acceptor Sb^V complexes, Ph₃(C₆H₄O₂)Sb…OSMe₂, Ph₃(C₆H₄O₂)Sb…ONC₅H₅, Me₃(C₆H₄O₂)Sb…ONC₅H₅, Me₃(C₆H₄O₂)Sb…NC₅H₅, Ph₃(C₂H₄O₂)Sb…ONC₅H₅, and Cl(C₆F₅)₂(C₂H₄O₂)Sb…OPPh₃, were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. In these complexes, the coordination environment about the Sb atoms is a distorted octahedron. The Sb?O(N) distances and the Sb?O?E angles (E=S, N, or P) vary over wide ranges.     

Structure and ion exchange properties of tunnel type titanium silicates

A large number of titanium silicates are known to exist in the mineral realm and recently a considerable literature has developed concerned with the synthesis and properties of these and related compounds. This paper describes two such families that have tunnel structures filled with cations that may easily be exchanged. A sodium titanosilicate of ideal formula, Na₂Ti₂O₃(SiO₄)₂·2H₂O, is tetragonal and built up of Ti₄O₄ cubane-like structures linked together by silicate groups in the a and b directions in the form of a square. In the c-axis direction, the cubane groups are linked by oxo-groups to form a framework enclosing tunnels parallel to the c-axis direction. The several ion exchange sites were identified based upon X-ray diffraction studies and the reason for the great affinity of this compound for Cs⁺ elucidated. The second family of compounds have the general composition M₃H(TiO)₄(SiO₄)₃·4H₂O (M=alkali metal cation) and have the pharmacosiderite structure. The sodium or potassium phases are selective for Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺. These compounds are cubic and have similar Ti₄O₄ cubane-like groups. In this case, the connectivity via silicate groups extends along all three crystallographic axes equally. This change in crystal system has a profound effect upon the ion exchange behavior. This effect, as well as the effect of germanate substitutions for silicate, will be described.     

Crystal chemistry of fluorite-like clathrates AB 3F10

Crystal chemical analysis of the structures of clathrates AB ₃F₁₀ derived from the structural type KY₃F₁₀ was carried out. As the structure-forming fragment, a truncated octahedron is considered obtained by connecting 24 F^? anions of the outer faces of {YF₈} antiprisms that form the cluster {Y₆F₃₂}. Four modes of connection of these truncated octahedra giving B ₃F₁₀ frameworks were established, two modes involving common edges and two modes involving common hexagonal faces. Edge connection corresponds to known structural types in which the {B ₆F₃₂} clusters are arranged as cubic close packing of spheres (structural type KY₃F₁₀) or as hexagonal close packing of spheres (structural type β-KYb₃F₁₀). Face connection gives rise to motifs similar to those formed by carbon atoms in diamond and lonsdaleite structures. The former motif corresponds to the recently established structure of (H₃O)Yb₃F₁₀ · H₂O. For the latter motif, a model of the hypothetical hexagonal phase ThEr₂F₁₀ was proposed (space group P6₃/mmc, a = 1.1058 nm, b = 1.8007 nm, Z = 8), which was characterzed, in terms of the bond valence method, the global instability index GII = 0.065.     

Phase evolution of lead titanate from its amorphous precursor synthesized by the OPM wet-chemical route

Lead titanate was synthesized by the OPM wet-chemical route by the dissolution of Ti metal in H₂O₂ followed by the addition of Pb²⁺ at high pH, resulting in a reactive and amorphous precipitate with (Pb:Ti=1:1) mole ratio, which was heat treated between 400°C and 700°C. The amorphous precipitate was characterized by DSC, and all of the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman and XAS (EXAFS and XANES) spectroscopy at the Ti K edge. A metastable, stoichiometric and cubic pyrochlore phase (Pb₂Ti₂O₆, Fd3m) was identified by XRD and Raman spectroscopy up to approx. 450°C. Only tetragonal PbTiO₃ was identified at higher temperatures. XAS spectra showed that the local structure around the absorbing Ti atom of the intermediate pyrochlore phase is similar to that observed in the amorphous precursor. This fact indicates that the metastable intermediate pyrochlore (Pb₂Ti₂O₆) is kinetically favored to be formed because of its similarity to the amorphous precipitate, instead of the slightly different and thermodynamically favored tetragonal (PbTiO₃, P4/mmm) perovskite structure that is only formed at higher temperatures, after the crystallization of the metastable intermediate pyrochlore.     

Periodic arrays of identical ions packed with 10, 11, and 12 nearest neighbors

The relationships between 10, 11, and 12 coordination identical-sphere packing arrangements are discussed. Primitive tetragonal packing, which is adopted with minor distortions by rutile, has 11 coordination and may be regarded as an intimate intergrowth of close packing (12 coordination) and body-centered tetragonal (10 coordination) packing. Several other known and postulated structures are shown to represent different arrangements of the 50-50 intergrowth of c-axis square channel and c-axis strings of edge-shared octahedra typical of body-centered tetragonal packing and close packings, respectively. Partial cation occupancy of the square channels in such anion arrays would provide conduction pathways for small cations such as Li⁺. It is also shown that body-centered tetragonal packing is an intermediate of cubic and hexagonal close packing.     

Die Kristallstrukturen von zwei Modifikationen von (C2H5)4NFel4

Crystal Structures of Two Modifications of (C₂H₅)₄NFeI₄ The crystal structures of two modifications, I and II, of (C₂H₅)₄NFeI₄ were determined from single crystal X-ray data. Modification I crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4 m2 with a = 865.2(2), c = 1223.6(2) pm; II: orthorhombic, Pnnm, a = 1513.2(2), b = 1417.0(2), c = 843.5(1) pm. The crystal structures exhibit a different packing of the ions. In I the cubic close packing of the centers of gravity of anions and cations is the same as in the NaCl-type structure, in II the packing of the ions is similar to the NiAs-type structure. The Fe? I bond lengths were found to be 253.1 (I) and 254,0 pm (II) respectively.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new phosphates K2Mn0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 and K2Co0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 with the langbeinite structure

New complex phosphates of the general formula K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (M=Mn, Co) have been obtained from the melting mixture of KPO₃, K₄P₂O₇, TiO₂ and CoCO₃·mCo(OH)₂ or Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ by means of a flux technique. The synthesized phosphates have been characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the FTIR-spectroscopy. The compounds crystallize in the cubic system with the space group P2₁3 and cell parameters a=9.9030(14) Å for K₂Mn_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ and a=9.8445(12) Å for K₂Co_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃. Both phosphates are isostructural with the langbeinite mineral and contain four formula unit K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ per unit cell. The structure can be described using [M₂(PO₄)₃] framework composed of two [MO₆] octahedra interlinked via three [PO₄] tetrahedra. The Curie-Weiss-type behavior is observed in the magnetic susceptibility.     

Common Features in the Crystal Structures of the Compounds Bis(dimethylstibanyl)oxane and ‐sulfane,and the Minerals Valentinite and Stibnite (Grauspießglanz)

Bis(dimethylstibanyl)oxane ( 1 ) and ‐sulfane ( 2 ), the two simplest organoelement species with an Sb–E–Sb fragment (E = O, S), were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of bromodimethylstibane and by oxidation of tetramethyldistibane with sulfur [18], respectively. As shown by an x‐ray structure analysis of compound 1 (m. p. < –20 °C; P2₁2₁2₁, a = 675.9(2), b = 803.1(2), c = 1666.8(4) pm at –70 ± 2 °C; Z = 4; R1 = 0.042), the molecules (O–Sb 198.8 and 209.9 pm, Sb–O–Sb 123.0°) adopt a syn‐anti conformation in the solid state and are arranged in zigzag chains along [010] via weak intermolecular O‥Sb interactions (258.5 pm, Sb–O‥Sb 117.8°, O‥Sb–O 173.5°) making use, however, of only one Me₂Sb moiety. Primary and secondary bond lengths and angles agree very well with corresponding values published for valentinite, the orthorhombic modification of antimony(III) oxide [3]. Bis(dimethylstibanyl)sulfane ( 2 ) (m. p. 29 to 31 °C) crystallizes in the uncommon space group P6₅22 (a = 927.8(3), c = 1940.9(7) pm at –100 ± 2 °C; Z = 6; R1 = 0.021). Owing to coordination numbers of (1 + 1) and (2 + 2) for both Me₂Sb groups and the sulfur atom, respectively, molecules with an approximate syn‐syn conformation (S–Sb 249.8 pm, Sb–S–Sb 92.35°) build up a three‐dimensional net of double helices which are linked together by Sb‥S contacts (316.4 pm). These parameters shed more light onto the rather complicated structure and bonding situation in stibnite (antimony(III) sulfide [4]). The molecular packing of compound 2 is compared with the structures of relevant inorganic solids, especially with that of β‐quartz [37].     

The two-phase region in 2(ZnSe)x(CuInSe2)1−x alloys and structural relation between the tetragonal and cubic phases

The two-phase region in the system 2(ZnSe)_x(CuInSe₂)_1−x covers the chemical composition range 0.10<x?0.36, in which a tetragonal and a cubic phase are coexisting. The structural relation between both phases was determined by selected area diffraction (SAD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both crystal structures are very similar and the extremely small mismatch of the lattice constants of the tetragonal phase and the embedding cubic matrix phase allows for the grain boundaries to be virtually strain-free and, therefore, without notable dislocations. The tetragonal phase forms grains of flat discus-like shape in the ambient cubic matrix, with the short discus axis parallel to the tetragonal c-axis. TEM experiments proved that the discus-shaped tetragonal particles are collinear with the (100)_cub, (010)_cub and (001)_cub planes of the cubic phase. Cooling and annealing experiments revealed a near-equilibrium state only to be realized for small cooling rates less than 2 K/h and/or for a long-time annealing with subsequent rapid quenching. Only then there will be no cation ordering in both, the tetragonal domains and the parental cubic matrix phase. If, however, the samples are kept in a state far away from the equilibrium condition both phases reveal Stannite-type cation ordering. Within the composition range of 0?x?0.10 only tetragonal 2(ZnSe)_x(CuInSe₂)_1−x-alloys exist. At concentration rates above 36 mol% 2(ZnSe) only cubic structured solid solutions of ZnSe and CuInSe₂ are found to be stable. However, in the range 36 mol% to about 60 mol% 2(ZnSe) tiny precipitates with Stannite-like structure exist, too.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of M11X10 Compounds, M=Sr, Ba and X=Bi, Sb. Electronic Requirements and Chemical Bonding

The intermetallic compounds Sr₁₁Bi₁₀, Ba₁₁Bi₁₀, and (Sr₅Ba₆)Sb₁₀ have been obtained from melts of mixtures of the elements. They crystallize in the tetragonal system, space group I4/mmm, Ho₁₁Ge₁₀ structure type, tI84 Pearson symbol, Z=4, with cell parameters a=12.765(3), 13.230(3), 12.748(2) Å and c=18.407(3), 19.365(3), 18.761(2) Å, respectively. The structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray data and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R1=6.71, 5.44, and 5.73%. The structure of M₁₁X₁₀ contains three discrete anionic moieties: square rings X⁴⁻₄, dumbbells X⁴⁻₂, and isolated X³⁻. Using formal charges the unit cell of M₁₁X₁₀ may be described as containing 44 M²⁺, 2X⁴⁻₄, 8X⁴⁻₂, and 16X³⁻ ions. This structure is discussed in comparison with other Bi or Sb pnictide compounds. Bonding is analyzed therein using molecular orbital (EHMO) calculations for the anions (dumbbell and square units) and also the periodic tight-binding method. Lone pair repulsions inside and between the anionic units are evidenced; they are compensated by strong bonding cation-to-anion interactions. Interatomic distances along the series appear to be more dependent on packing than on electronic effects.     

Closest packing in dense oxides: The structure of a polymorph of Co3(AsO4)2

Crystals of Co₃(AsO₄)₂ were grown from the melt of a mixture of Co₂As₂O₇ and As₂O₅. The crystals are isostructural with Mg₃(AsO₄)₂ and are tetragonal with a = 6.858(2), c = 18.872(5) Å, Z = 6, and space group $\text{I}\text{4}\text{2d}$. A total of 1048 independent reflections were measured by diffractometer and used in the full-matrix refinement to a final R value of 0.069. The structure contains two distinct AsO₄ groups. Two of the cobalt ions are octahedrally coordinated and a third occupies a $\text{4}$ site with four short and four long CoO distances. The crystal structure of Co₃ (AsO₄)₂ is not based on the continuous three-dimensional closest packing of oxygen atoms. Nevertheless the number of oxygen atoms per cubic centimeter is 5.4 × 10²², which falls in the range of values for hexagonal and cubic closest packed structures. A better measure of the degree to which closest packing is achieved by a structure is suggested. It is based on an analysis of the polyhedra of oxygen atoms which surround each of the oxygen atoms in a structure and their relation to the polyhedra in ideally closest packed structures. In order to facilitate the analysis, polytopes of 11- and 12-vertex polyhedra were studied. A new decahexahedral 11-vertex polyhedron was found.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of BaTiF5 and CaTiF5

Single crystals of BaTiF₅ and CaTiF₅ were obtained by the Czochralski and Bridgman techniques, respectively. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction; BaTiF₅: $\text{14}\text{m}\text{, a = 15.091(5)}$Å, c = 7.670(3)Å; CaTiF₅: $\text{I2}\text{c}\text{, a = 9.080(4)}$Å, b = 6.614Å, c = 7.696(3)Å, β = 115.16(3)°. Both structures are characterized by the presence of either branched or straight chains of TiF₆ octahedra. BaTiF₅ contains the unusual dimeric unit (Ti₂F₁₀)^4?. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on both compounds in the temperature range 4.2 to 300 K, however, no evidence for magnetic interactions between the Ti³⁺ moments were observed.     

Coherence assembly phenomenon in the typical structures of heteropolyniobates

Crystallographic analysis has provided evidence for single cation frameworks formed from preordered cation positions in the individual building blocks (modules) constituting the basis of structures. We propose to call this phenomenon coherence assembly. According to the mechanical wave concept of the crystalline state, coherence assembly dictates the rules of mutual packing of “rigid” structural fragments. This study investigates the typical structures of heteropolyniobates: Na₁₂[Ti₂O₂][SiNb₁₂O₄₀]·4H₂O (I), menezesite Ba₂MgZr₄[BaNb₁₂O₄₂]·12H₂O (II), and the menezesite-isostructural aspedamite □₁₂(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)₃Nb₄·[Th(Nb,Fe³⁺)₁₂O₄₂]·(H₂O,OH)₁₂ (III).     

Crystal Structures of the Newly Synthesized Kdy and Ktb Aluminosilicates

The crystal structures are determined for KDy[AlSi₄O₁₂]·0.41H₂O and KTb[AlSi₄O₁₂]·0.32 H₂O compounds synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, which crystallize in the space group C2/c with the unit cell parameters a = 26.6956(6) Å and 26.619(1) Å, b = 7.2477(2) Å and 7.2553(3) Å, c = 14.7705 Å and 14.8200(6) Å, β = 123.7721° and 123.5149° for KDy and KTb aluminosilicates respectively. Tetrahedral layers in the structures of the studied crystals differ in their packing order and can be matched in space with a twofold rotational symmetry axis. In the studied phases Dy and Tb present in a trivalent form.     

Determination des structures de deux ferrites mixtes nouveaux de formule BaLa2Fe2O7 et SrTb2Fe2O7

The structures of the two new ferrites BaLa₂Fe₂O₇ and SrTb₂Fe₂O₇ with tetragonal symmetry have been resolved by X-ray and neutron diffraction performed on powder samples. In both compounds the arrangement of atoms present a close resemblance with the idealized Sr₃Ti₂O₇ structure. It consists of a packing along the c axis of two different blocks. One is formed by the adjunction of two perovskite cells and the other one by a halved rocksalt Sr(Ba)O cell. The iron cation lattice is built by infinite double layers perpendicular to the c axis with the shortest Fe³⁺Fe³⁺ distances inside the double layers much shorter than between the layers. In BaLa₂Fe₂O₇, Ba²⁺ is located on a regular 12-coordinated site and La³⁺ in a regular 9-coordinated polyhedron. Fe³⁺ is surrounded by five oxygen neighbours at 1.98 Å, building a rather regular tetragonal pyramid, with a sixth oxygen at 2.25 Å. In SrTb₂Fe₂O₇, Sr has only eight close neighbours at ～2.80 Å and four more distant at 3.15 Å. Tb³⁺ has seven close neighbours, six building a distorted octahedron with the largest triangular face capped by the seventh oxygen. Fe³⁺ again has five neighbours, but due to the lowering of the symmetry, the square pyramid has become a distorted trigonal bipyramid.     

Crystal structures of lazulite-type oxidephosphates TiTi3O3(PO4)3 and M4Ti27O24(PO4)24 (M=Ti, Cr, Fe)

Single crystals of the oxidephosphates Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃ (black), Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (red-brown, transparent), and Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (brown) with edge-lengths up to 0.3 mm were grown by chemical vapour transport. The crystal structures of these orthorhombic members (space group F2dd ) of the lazulite/lipscombite structure family were refined from single-crystal data [Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃: Z=24, a=7.3261(9) Å, b=22.166(5) Å, c=39.239(8) Å, R₁=0.029, wR₂=0.084, 6055 independent reflections, 301 variables; Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.419(3) Å, b=21.640(5) Å, c=13.057(4) Å, R₁=0.037, wR₂=0.097, 1524 independent reflections, 111 variables; Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.4001(9) Å, b=21.7503(2) Å, c=12.775(3) Å, R₁=0.049, wR₂=0.140, 1240 independent reflections, 112 variables). For Ti^IIITi^IVO₃(PO₄)₃ a well-ordered structure built from dimers [Ti^III,IV₂O₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉] and phosphate tetrahedra is found. The metal sites in the crystal structures of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ and Fe₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄, consisting of dimers [M^IIITi^IVO₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉], monomeric [Ti^IVO₆] octahedra, and phosphate tetrahedra, are heavily disordered. Site disorder, leading to partial occupancy of all octahedral voids of the parent lipscombite/lazulite structure, as well as splitting of the metal positions is observed. According to Guinier photographs Ti^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (a=7.418(2) Å, b=21.933(6) Å, c=12.948(7) Å) is isotypic to the oxidephosphates M^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (M^III: Cr, Fe). The UV/vis spectrum of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ reveals a rather small ligand-field splitting Δ_o=14,370 cm⁻¹ and a very low nephelauxetic ratio β=0.72 for the chromophores [Cr^IIIO₆] within the dimers [Cr^IIITi^IVO₉].