Darstellung,Kristallstruktur und Eigenschaften des Kupfer(II)‐Indium(III)‐Orthophosphats Cu3In2[PO4]4

Contributions on Crystal Chemistry and Thermal Behaviour of Anhydrous Phosphates. XXIV. Preparation, Crystal Structure, and Properties of Copper(II) Indium(III) Orthophosphate Cu₃In₂PO₄]₄ Crystals of Cu₃In₂PO₄]₄ were grown by chemical vapour transport (temperature gradient 1273 K → 1173 K) using chlorine as transport agent. The mixed metal phosphate forms a new structure type (P2₁/c, Z = 2, a = 8.9067(6), b = 8.8271(5), c = 7.8815(5) Å, β = 108.393(5)°, 13 atoms in asymmetric unit, 2549 unique reflections with F_o > 4σ, 116 variables, R(F²) = 0.065). The crystal structure shows a hexagonal closest packing of PO₄]^3– tetrahedra. Close‐packed layers parallel (1 0 –1) are stacked according to the sequence A, B, A′, B′, A. The octahedral interstices in this packing are completely occupied by two In³⁺, one (Cu1)²⁺ and a “dumb bell” (Cu2)₂⁴⁺. In the latter case four of the six phosphate groups that belong to this octahedral void act as bi‐dentate ligands, thus forming dimers (Cu2)₂O₁₀] with d_Cu–Cu = 3.032 Å. Cu₃In₂PO₄]₄ is paramagnetic (μ_eff = 1.89 μ_B, θ_P = –16.9 K). The infrared and UV/Vis reflectance spectra are reported. The observed d‐electron levels of the Cu²⁺ cations agree well with those obtained from angular overlap calculations.