The crystal structure of ferberite, FeWO4

The crystal structure of ferberite has been determined and refined by projections to R values of 7.20/0 for hkO reflections and 5.4% for hOl reflections. The structure is based on Wand Fc octahedra forming infinitc zig-zag chains in the direction of thc c axis. Each chain contains just one type of cation and each octahedron is joined to the next by a common edge. Each W-octahedral chain is attached by common corners to four Fe chains, and each Fe chain is also surrounded by four W chains. The atomic configuration is then different from the structure reported for MgW04, which was believed to be isostructural with the members of the wolframite group, even though the cation positions are proved to be correct.