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New analogs of åkermanite: Sr 2 CuSi 2 O 7 and Sr 2 CdSi 2 O 7 as well as many previously synthesized analogs were obtained by a simple technique consisting of heating in air of precipitated gels of the right composition. X-ray data revealed an anomaly of the Cu 2+ and (to a lesser extent) Fe 2+ åkermanites which is explained by a simple geometric argument in terms of a small (~3°) angular distortion of the oxygen tetrahedron surrounding the smaller divalent cation. This interpretation is consistent with previous theoretical discussions and Mössbauer data on the iron analog prepared for this study. Single crystals of cobalt åkermanites can be grown from a sodium tungstate flux.