The crystal structure of vitusite from Ilímaussaq (South Greenland): Na3REE(PO4)2

The crystal structure of vitusite from Ilimaussaq (South Greenland): X-ray diffraction data of vitusite have been obtained from a crystal fragment of the mineral from Ilimaussaq (South Greenland), using a PW 1100 Philips single-crystal diffractometer. The crystal structure (space group Pc2 1 b, a = 5.336, b = 18.672, c = 14.055 A, Z = 8) corresponds to that of the synthetic compound Na 3 La(VO 4 ) 2 . Vitusite is a member of the numerous family of the glaserite-like structures having general formula Me 2 XO 4 , and all derived from an original hexagonal structure (space group P6 3 /mmc, Z = 2), where Me cations are either aligned along the six-fold axis or alternate with X atoms along the three-fold axes