Structural features of the oxidonitridophosphates K3MIII(PO3)3N (MIII = Al, Ga)

Cubic crystals of tripotassium aluminium (or gallium) nitridotriphosphate, K3MIII(PO3)3N (MIII = Al, Ga), were grown by application of the self-flux method. In their isostructural crystal structures, all metal cations and the N atom occupy special positions with site symmetry 3, while the P and O atoms are situated in general positions. The three-dimensional framework of these oxidonitridophosphates is built up from [MIIIO6] octa­hedra linked together via (PO3)3N groups. The latter are formed from three PO3N tetra­hedra sharing a common N atom. The coordination environments of the three potassium cations are represented by two types of polyhedra, viz. KO9 for one and KO9N for the other two cations. An unusual tetra­dentate type of coordination for the latter potassium cations by the (PO3)3N6– anion is observed. These K3MIII(PO3)3N (MIII = Al, Ga) compounds are isostructural with the Na3MIII(PO3)3N (MIII = Al, V, Ti) compounds.