Synthesis and crystal structure of NaMgFe(MoO4)3

The iron molybdate NaMgFe(MoO4)3 {sodium magnesium iron(III) tris[molybdate(VI)]} has been synthesized by the flux method. This compound is isostructural with α-NaFe2(MoO4)3 and crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1. Its structure is built up from [Mg,Fe]2O10 units of edge-sharing [Mg,Fe]O6 octahedra which are linked to each other through the common corners of [MoO4] tetrahedra. The resulting anionic three-dimensional framework leads to the formation of channels along the [101] direction in which the Na+ cations are located.