Abstract

Crystals of Na₂CoPO₄F have been isolated and their structure determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Na₂CoPO₄F crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (no. 60) with a = 5.2475(9), b = 13.795(2), c = 11.689(2) Å, and Z = 8. Its layered structure consists of a framework formed by [CoPO₄F]_∞ layers with the sodium cations located in the interlayer space, leading to infinite chains built up from bioctahedral units that share corners along the a axis. Magnetic measurements reveal that the predominant magnetic interactions are antiferromagnetic, but there is weak ferromagnetism at lower temperatures.