An investigation of the Nd2O3-MoO3 phase system: Thermal decomposition of Nd2Mo4O15 and formation of Nd6Mo10O39

A new neodymium molybdate, Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉, has been identified in the Nd₂O₃-MoO₃ phase system. Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ appears to be a metastable phase, which does not form directly from a stoichiometric mixture of Nd₂O₃ and MoO₃ oxides. Instead, it can be obtained by thermal decomposition of Nd₂Mo₄O₁₅. Nd₂Mo₄O₁₅ usually decomposes into Nd₂(MoO₄)₃, and the formation of Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ critically depends on the heating regime used.The structure of Nd₆Mo₁₀O₃₉ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with unit cell parameters of , , , β=100.767(2)°, at 120 K. Nd atoms are seven and eight coordinate, and pairs of coordination polyhedra share edges and faces, respectively, to form Nd₂O₁₂ and Nd₂O₁₃ groups. All Mo atoms are in tetrahedral coordination environments, with some of the tetrahedra sharing corners to form pyromolybdate groups.