Synthesis and crystal structures of lithium polyphosphates, LiPO3, Li4H(PO3)5, and LiMn(PO3)3

Polyphosphates of the compositions LiPO₃, Li₄H(PO₃)₅, and LiMn(PO₃)₃ were prepared by the reactions of Li₂CO₃ and MnO₂ with melts of polyphosphoric acids at 240–350°C, and their crystal structures were established. The unit-cell parameters are a = 13.074 Å, b = 5.4068 Å, c = 16.452 Å, β = 99.00°, sp. gr. P2/n; a = 6.6434 Å, b = 7.253 Å, c = 11.399 Å, α = 72.60°, β = 83.36°, γ = 85.32°, sp. gr.; $P\bar 1$ ; a = 8.364 Å, b = 8.561 Å, c = 8.6600 Å, sp. gr. P2₁2₁2₁, respectively. The influence of cations on the structures of the compounds is discussed.