Na(4)Mn(0.5)P(0.5)O(5): Synthesis of a Novel Mixed-Metal Manganese(VII)/Phosphorus(V) Oxide via Hydroxide Flux

Vibrant blue crystals of Na(4)Mn(0.5)P(0.5)O(5) were synthesized via a sodium hydroxide flux. The X-ray structural analysis showed that this sodium manganese(VII) phosphorous oxide crystallizes in an orthorhombic lattice with a = 8.967(3) ?, b = 7.291(3) ?, c = 8.090(3) ?: Pnma (No. 62); Z = 4. The manganese and phosphorus cations equally share one crystallographic site and are tetrahedrally coordinated. The (Mn,P)O(4) tetrahedra are held together by sodium cations via Na-O bonds forming an ionic solid, Na(4)O](2+)(Mn(0.5)P(0.5))O(4)](2)(-). The synthesis, structure, thermal property and infrared spectroscopy of the title compound are presented in this paper.