New X-ray powder diffraction data for beryllium gallate, BeGa₂O₄

X-ray powder diffraction data for BeGa₂O₄ have been obtained from the synthesized compound. The space group was determined by using a hexagonal prismatic single crystal obtained from a lead pyrophosphate flux by slow cooling. The crystal of BeGa₂O₄ belongs to the hexagonal system, with unit-cell parameters a = 7.7525(3), c = 2.9817(2) Å, V = 155.19; space group P6₃ or P6₃/m, z = 2. The crystal lattice is isomorphous with β-Si₃N₄.BeGa₂O₄ melts at 2013 K and has fairly small thermal expansion coefficients: α_//a = 3.29 × 10^{− 6} K⁻¹, α_//c = 2.95 × 10^{− 6} K⁻¹ (298–1173 K average). D_m = 4.511 Mg m⁻³ (323 K), D_x = 4.546 Mg m⁻³ (298 K); Cu Kα, Cu Kα radiation. The JCPDS Diffraction File No. for BeGa₂O₄ is 36-1493.