Polymorphism and structure of Nd₂MоO₆ single crystals

The tetragonal and monoclinic modifications of Nd₂MoO₆ single crystals have been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The analysis has been on laboratory sources (2D CCD diffractometers: Xcalibur S (Shared Research Center, Institute of Crystallography, Russian Academy of Sciences) and BRUKER Smart APEX 2 (Shared Research Center, Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences)) and on a synchrotron radiation source (ESRF, Grenoble, PILATUS@SNBL diffractometer). Local displacements of all atoms in the oxymolybdate structure have been revealed for the first time using electron density difference maps. Possible violation of the translational periodicity in the distribution of Mo and Nd atoms over types is indirectly confirmed, and statistical disorder of oxygen atoms is revealed. The results of the study confirm the previous suggestion that polymorphic transformations occur in oxymolybdates at a very low rate and, apparently, continuously in a wide temperature range. With an increase in temperature, layers undergo ordering according to the cation type as a result of the phase transition from the monoclinic to the tetragonal phase.