Nd-5(AsO3)(4)Cl-3: The first oxo-arsenate(III)-chloride of the lanthanides

Single crystals of Nd-5(AsO3)(4)Cl-3 (monoclinic, P2/n, Z = 2, a = 1026.0(1), b = 543.35(3) c = 1400.2(1) pm, beta = 93.48(1)degrees) were obtained from the reaction of Nd2O3, AS(2)O(3) and NaCl in a sealed silica ampoule. In the crystal structure the Nd3+ ions are linked by AsO33- groups into layers that alternate with layers of Cl- ions. Two of the three crystallographically different Nd3+ ions are coordinated by eight oxygen atoms, the third one has four oxygen and four chlorine atoms as neighbours.