Gallium divalent compounds

The -Alumina-related Structures.—Originally the compound )3-alumina was taken to be a binary aluminium oxide, but early Y-ray structure determinations and associated chemical analysis showed that the formula was approximately NaAlnOi7. Since then a number of isostructural compounds have been characterized in which sodium is replaced by other monovalent ions, particularly silver, and aluminium by other trivalent ions, notably gallium and iron. In addition, a number of other phases have been prepared which are structurally closely related to )8-alumina. Four principal structures are known, which are labelled / ", and P"". These can also be prepared with other monovalent cations replacing sodium, and some seem only to be formed when a few per cent of divalent cations, particularly magnesium, are present, so that they are, in fact, quaternary phases. The structure and stoicheiometry of these compounds has been summarized recently and we will only consider here those aspects relevant to the present topic. 

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