A Mo(III) lead phosphate with an intersecting tunnel structure: Pb2Mo(P2O7)(PO4)

A Mo(III) lead phosphate, Pb2Mo(P2O7)(PO4), has been synthesized for the first time. This original structure, is built up of PO4 tetrahedra, P2O7 groups and MoO6 octahedra, sharing corners. Each P2O7 group shares two apices with the same MoO6 octahedron, forming MoP2O11 units. The assemblage of the latter in the form of double chains, interconnected through single PO4 tetrahedra, forms the 3D-framework [MoP2O11]∞, with intersecting tunnels parallel to a→ and b→. The Pb2+ cations which sit in the tunnels, exhibit a dissymmetric environment, in agreement with the 6s2 lone pair stereoactivity.