Mixed tetrahedral anionic framework in the K3Ga2(PO4)3 crystal structure

The crystal structure of a new synthetic potassium gallophosphate K₃Ga₂(PO₄)₃ grown from a solution in the melt of a mixture of GaPO₄ and K₂MoO₄ is determined using X-ray diffraction (Bruker Smart diffractometer, 2θ_max= 56.6°, R = 0.044 for 2931 reflections, T = 100 K). The main crystal data are as follows: a = 8.661(2) Å, b = 17.002(4) Å, c = 8.386(2) Å, space group Pna2₁, Z= 4, and ρ_calcd = 2.91 g/cm³. The synthesized crystals represent the third phase in the structure type previously established for the K₃Al₂[(As,P)O₄]₃ compound. It is shown that the structure consists of a three-dimensional anionic microporous tetrahedral framework of the mixed type, which is formed by PO₄ and GaO₄ tetrahedra shared by vertices. Large-sized cations K⁺ occupy channels of the zeolite-like framework. The crystal chemical features of the formation of structure types of compounds with mixed frameworks described by the general formula A ₃ ⁺ M ₂ ³⁺ (TO₄)₃ (where A = K, Rb, (NH₄), Tl; M = Al, Ga, Fe, Sc, Yb; T = P, As) are analyzed.