Synthesis and crystal structure of a new lithium cyclohexaphosphate hydrate:: Li6P6O18•10H2O

The synthesis and crystal structure of a novel hydrate of lithium cyclohexaphosphate are reported. Li6P6O18. 10H(2)O crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 15.113(5), b = 12.006(2), c = 15.892(2) Angstrom, beta = 122.85(2)degrees, and Z = 4. The structure consists of P6O18 ring layers stacked along the c direction in between which are located the lithiumions and water molecules. Two LiO4 tetrahedra share common edges with LiO5 pseudosquare pyramids to form two independant Li3O9 units. About 50% of the water molecules have fractional occupancy rates and form fragments of molecules. A linear relationship is established between the relative cell volume V/Z and the hydration degree, n, for all the known hydrates: Li6P6O18. nH(2)O.