The layered borate SrBe2(BO3)2

The compound SrBe2(BO3)2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n in a cell of dimensions a = 9.247(1) Å, b = 4.492(2) Å, c = 11.561(1) Å, and β = 112.17(1)° with Z = 4. Least-squares refinement affords the final residuals R = 0.034 and Rw = 0.045. The structure consists of layers of composition [Be2(BO3)2]2− that are interleaved by Sr atoms. Each layer contains two crystallographically inequivalent Be and B atoms; the Be atoms occupy distorted O tetrahedra while the B atoms occupy distorted triangular planar environments. Two Be atoms of one type share two O atoms to form a dimer of edge-shared tetrahedra. The Sr atom occupies a distorted monocapped 8-coordinate site.