SYNTHESIS, SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY AND FACTOR GROUP ANALYSIS OF CHLORIDE TRISVANADATES OF DIVALENT CATIONS (VO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Cl (M<sup>II</sup> = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, Pb)
Apatite-structure compounds with the general formula (VO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Cl (M<sup>II</sup> = Ca, Sr, Ba, Cd, Pb) have been synthesized by a solid-phase reaction. The compounds have been studied using IR, far-IR, and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Factor group analysis has been performed and band assignment has been made in the absorption spectra. Luminescence of Ba<sub>5</sub>(VO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Cl has been observed for the first time.