The crystal structures of compounds with the general formula Cs{[6]Al2[[4]TP6O20]} (where T = Al, B) display order−disorder (OD) character and can be described using the same OD groupoid family. Their structures are built up by two kinds of nonpolar layers, with the layer symmetries Pc(n)2 (L2n+1-type) and Pc(a)m (L2n-type) (category IV). Layers of both types (L2n and L2n+1) alternate along the b direction and have common translation vectors a and c (a ~ 10.0 Å, c ~ 12.0 Å). All ordered polytypes as well as disordered structures can be obtained using the following partial symmetry operators that may be active in the L2n type layer: the 21 screw axis parallel to c [– – 21] or inversion centers and the 21 screw axis parallel to a [21 – –]. Different sequences of operators active in the L2n type layer ([– – 21] screw axes or inversion centers and [21 – –] screw axes) define the formation of multilayered structures with the increased b parameter, which are considered as non-MDO polytypes. The microporous heteropolyhedral MT-frameworks are suitable for the migration of small cations such as Li+, Na+ Ag+. Compounds with the general formula Rb{[6]M3+[[4]T3+P6O20]} (M = Al, Ga; T = Al, Ga) are based on heteropolyhedral MT-frameworks with the same stoichiometry as in Cs{[6]Al2[[4]TP6O20]} (where T = Al, B). It was found that all the frameworks have common natural tilings, which indicate the close relationships of the two families of compounds. The conclusions are supported by the DFT calculation data.

The crystal structure of Na2Mn3(SO4)4 [unit-cell parameters a = 14.8307 (18), b = 9.9107 (18), c = 8.6845 (12) Å, space group Cmc21] displays order–disorder (OD) character and can be described using the OD groupoid family, more precisely a family of OD structures built up by two types of non-polar layers, with layer symmetry P(m)c21 (L 2n+1 type) and P(b)cm (L 2n type) (category IV). A new hypothetical MDO2 polytype has been proposed and the geometry optimization demonstrates its reasonability as another possible stable polytype. Compounds Na2Mn3–x Mg x (SO4)4 with the unit-cell parameters a ∼ 29.2–29.7 Å, b ∼ 9.5–9.9 Å, c ∼ 8.7 Å and space group Pbca can be described in terms of modularity as a sequence of A, S 1 and S 2 modules:…|AS 1 AS 2 AS 1 AS 2|… or (AS 1 AS 2), together with MDO1 (AS 1 AS 1) and MDO2 (AS 2 AS 2). The crystal structures of itelmenite, NaCaFe3+ 3(PO4)4, and Ca2MgFe3+ 2(PO4)4 are crystal-chemical isotypic to Na2Mn3–x Mg x (SO4)4 and should be considered as (A*S 1 A*S 2) derivatives of the (AS 1 AS 2)-type structure.

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A new silver iodide borate Ag3B6O10I, is a promising material as a solid-state electrolyte, with a δ ↔ γ ↔ β ↔ α cascade of the isosymmetric superionic phase transitions....

The organization and program of the Uralian summer training course for students-mineralogists of the Department of Mineralogy of St. Petersburg State University is described.