The transition metal orthophosphates SrM 2Fe(PO4)3 (M = Co, Ni) crystallize in an α-CrPO4-type structure. The chains characterizing this structure are then built up from [Ni2O10] units alternating with [PO4] tetra­hedra and [FeO6] octa­hedra. The structure is nearly the same as that observed in MMnII 2MnIII(PO4)3 (M = Pb, Sr, Ba).

The transition metal orthophosphate CaNi2Fe(PO4)3 adopts the α-CrPO4 structure type. The structure is built up from two types of sheets, resulting in an open three-dimensional framework that delimits two types of channels in which the CaII cations are located.

Single crystals of sodium copper(II) indium bis[phosphate(V)], NaCuIn(PO4)2, were grown from the melt under atmospheric conditions. The title phosphate crystallizes in the space group P21/n and is isotypic with KCuFe(PO4)2. In the crystal, two [CuO5] trigonal bipyramids share an edge to form a dimer [Cu2O8] that is connected to two PO4 tetrahedra. The obtained [Cu2P2O12] units are interconnected through vertices to form sheets that are sandwiched between undulating layers resulting from the junction of PO4 tetrahedra and [InO6] octahedra. The two types of layers are alternately stacked along [101] and are joined into a three-dimensional framework through vertex- and edge-sharing, leaving channels parallel to the stacking direction. The channels host the sodium cations that are surrounded by four oxygen atoms in form of a distorted disphenoid.

Crystals of the new compound, AgSr4Cu4.5(PO4)6, were grown successfully by the hydrothermal process. The asymmetric unit of the crystal structure of the title compound contains 40 independent atoms (4 Sr, 4.5 Cu, 1 Ag, 6 P and 24 O), which are all in general positions except for one Cu atom, which is located on an inversion centre. The Cu atoms are arranged in CuO n (n = 4 or 5) polyhedra, linked through common oxygen corners to build a rigid three-dimensional motif. The connection of these copper units is assured by PO4 tetrahedra. This arrangement allows the construction of layers extending parallel to the (100) plane and hosts suitable cavities in which Ag+ and Sr2+ cations are located. The crystal-structure cohesion is ensured by ionic bonds between the silver and strontium cations and the oxygen anions belonging to two adjacent sheets. Charge-distribution analysis and bond-valence-sum calculations were used to validate the structural model.

A new potassium-nickel iron phosphate, K3Ni6Fe(PO4)6, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and qualitative energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The structure is built up by [FeO6], [PO4], and [NiO6] coordination polyhedra, which are linked to each other by edge and corner sharing to form zigzag layers parallel to the ab plane. These layers are interconnected by [PO4] tetrahedra and [NiO6] octahedra via common corners, leading to a three-dimensional framework delimiting large channels running along the [100] direction in which the K+ cations are localized.

The title two-dimensional coordination polymer, [Zn(C6H5PO3)] n , was synthesized serendipitously by reacting a tetraphosphonate cavitand Tiiii[C3H7, CH3, C6H5] and Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O in a DMF/H2O mixture. The basic conditions of the reaction cleaved the phosphonate bridges at the upper rim of the cavitand, making them available for reaction with the zinc ions. The coordination polymer can be described as an inorganic layer in which zinc coordinates the oxygen atoms of the phosphonate groups in a distorted tetrahedral environment, while the phenyl groups, which are statistically disordered over two orientations, point up and down with respect to the layer. The layers interact through van der Waals interactions. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component twin.

The orthophosphate BaNi2Fe(PO4)3 has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction route and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The crystal structure comprises (100) sheets made up of [Ni2O10] dimers that are linked to two PO4 tetrahedra via common edges and vertices and of linear infinite [010] chains of corner-sharing [FeO6] octahedra and [PO4] tetrahedra. The linkage of the sheets and chains into a framework is accomplished through common vertices of PO4 tetrahedra and [FeO6] octahedra. The framework is perforated by channels in which positionally disordered Ba2+ cations are located.

Single crystals of β-KCoFe(PO4)2, potassium cobalt(II) iron(III) bis(orthophosphate), were grown from the melt under atmospheric conditions. This phosphate crystallizes isotypically with KZnFe(PO4)2 in space group C2/c, adopting a zeolite-ABW type of structure. The structure of the present phosphate is distinguished by an occupational disorder of the two transition-metal sites with ratios Fe:Co of 0.5725:0.4275 for the first and 0.4275:0.5725 for the second site. In the crystal structure, PO4 and (Co,Fe)O4 tetrahedra are linked through vertices to form elliptical rings with the sequence DDDDUUUU of up (U) and down (D) pointing vertices. Each eight-membered ring is surrounded by four other rings of the same type, delimiting interstices with rectangular shape. This arrangement leads to the formation of [(Co/Fe)(PO4)]− ∞ sheets parallel to (001). Stacking of the sheets into a three-dimensional framework results in the formation of two types of channels. The first one is occupied by potassium cations, whereas the second one remains vacant. Calculations of bond-valence sums and charge distribution were used to confirm the structure model.