Hydrothermal Synthesis and Spectroscopic and Magnetic Behavior of the Mn7(HOXO3)4(XO4)2(X=As, P) Compounds. Crystal Structure of Mn7(HOAsO3)4(AsO4)2

The Mn₇(HOXO₃)₄(XO₄)₂ (X=As, P) compounds have been synthesized by using hydrothermal conditions. The arsenate phase was obtained under autogeneous pressure at 170°C. However, more drastic conditions at both pressure and temperature were necessary in the attainment of the phosphate compound. The crystal structure of Mn₇(HOAsO₃)₄(AsO₄)₂ was solved using single-crystal data. The unit-cell parameters are a=6.810(3) Å, b=8.239(2) Å, c=10.011(4) Å, α=104.31(2)°, β=108.94(3)°, γ=101.25(2)°. Triclinic, P-1 with Z=1. The isostructural Mn₇(HOPO₃)₄(PO₄)₂ phase was characterized from X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The crystal structure of both compounds consists of zig-zag chains constructed by dimeric edge-sharing Mn₂O₁₀ octahedra linked through the MnO₅ trigonal bipyramids. The three-dimensional framework is completed by the connection between isolated MnO₆ entities to the dimers octahedra and trigonal bipyramids. The existence of hydrogenarsenate and hydrogenphosphate anions has been confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopies. Magnetic measurements indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in both compounds, which are slightly stronger in the arsenate phase.