Expansion and adaptation of the M5B12O25(OH) structure type to incorporate di- and trivalent transition metal cations

Abstract Five transition metal borates were synthesized in a Walker-type module under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 8–9 GPa and 800–1200 °C. They all exhibit the same interpenetrating, anionic borate network B12O2616−, crystallizing in the space group I41/acd, and therefore show high similarities to the borates Ti5B12O26 and Ga5B12O25(OH). Cr5B12O25(OH) and V5B12O25(OH) are isotypic to Ga5B12O25(OH), whereas Mn5Mn0.83B12O26 and Fe5Fe0.14B12O24.3(OH)1.7 feature the partial occupation of an additional, cuboctahedral cavity in the structure. This is due to a partial reduction of the cations to the oxidation state +2, as presented with the novel compound Mn5MnB12O22(OH)4, which only features Mn2+ for charge compensation. These structures feature a twelvefold coordination of manganese and iron.