A disordered cerium(IV) phosphate with a tunnel structure, K4CeZr(PO4)4.

Tetra­potassium cerium(IV) zirconium tetra­kis­(mono­phos­phate) crystallizes in the tetra­gonal system (space group I41/ amd). A complex disorder in K4CeZr(PO4)4 involves the mixing of Ce and Zr atoms on a single site with m2 symmetry and the splitting of P- and O-atom positions, equivalent to a rotation of the phosphate groups, to yield eight- and sixfold coordination environments around Ce and Zr, respectively. The K atoms are located in tunnels running parallel to the a and b axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]