RESUMO
The structure of the m = 2 tubular compound Bi(4)Sr(12)Co(8)O(30-delta), bismuth strontium cobalt oxide, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This phase of orthorhombic symmetry exhibits a very strong tetragonal pseudosymmetry. The structure consists of 90 degrees -oriented Bi(2)Sr(2)CoO(6+delta) slices, four Co atoms wide, forming [Sr(4)Co(4)O(13)](infinity) pillars at their intersection. The Co atoms in these pillars form four corner-sharing CoO(5) bipyramids. In the resulting [Co(4)O(13)] cluster, an anionic disorder is evidenced and discussed. Then, an accurate description of the particular structure of the pillars is given. Finally, a comparison with the Mn tubular compound Bi(3.6)Sr(12.4)Mn(8)O(30-delta) is carried out.
