GeTe2O6, a germanium tellurate(IV) with an open framework

The structure of an already evidenced but still uncharacterized GeTe₂O₆ phase consists of isolated GeO₆ octahedra connected via isolated TeO₃ units. The germanium cations occupy a site with symmetry. The Te and O atoms are in general positions of the P2₁/n space group. This structure corresponds to a new type of tetravalent tellurate and is different from other AB₂X₆ structures in which the B cation presents a stereochemically active electronic lone pair. It derives from the pseudo‐hexagonal MI₂O₆ (M = Mg, Mn, Co and Fe) type by a strong monoclinic distortion caused by the much smaller size of Ge⁴⁺ compared with the divalent M cations.