Additions and corrections

Cation distribution in cubic NaM(PO₃)₃ (M = Mg or Zn) using X-ray powder diffraction and solid state NMR

Isaac Abrahams, Aliya Ahmed, Christopher J. Groombridge, Geoffrey E. Hawkes and Teresa G. Nunes

J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2000, 155. Amendment published 3rd February 2000

The structures of NaMg(PO₃)₃ and NaZn(PO₃)₃ were incorrectly described as containing polyphosphate chains, (PO₃)_n^n-. In fact their structures are built from polyphosphate rings which constitute the cyclic anion (P₁₂O₃₆)^12-. The structural formulae are therefore best described as Na₄Mg₄(P₁₂O₃₆) and Na₄Zn₄(P₁₂O₃₆). The anion rings are convoluted with the non-bridging O(3) atoms pointing to the centre of the ring creating a distorted octahedral coordination environment for the central Na(1) ion (Fig. 1). The other cations are accommodated in distorted octahedral cavities between the rings.

Fig. 1 Coordination of Na(1) at the centre of the cyclic (P₁₂O₃₆)^12- anion in NaM(PO₃)₃ (M = Mg or Zn).

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