Absolute polarity of α-lithium iodate

Previous reports by Rosenzweig & Morosin [Acta Cryst. (1966). 20, 758–761], Liminga & Abrahams [J. Appl. Cryst. (1976). 9, 42–47] and Svensson, Albertsson, Liminga, Kvick & Abrahams [J. Chem. Phys. (1983). 78, 7343–7352], that the more steeply pointed ends of α-LiIO₃ crystals grown from aqueous solution with 3 ≤ pH ≤ 7 have the apex of each pyramidal IO⁻₃ ion pointing toward the direction which develops a positive polarity (d₃₃ > 0) under tensile stress applied along the polar hexagonal axis, have been confirmed contrary to the conclusion of Yang Hua-guang, Zhang Dao-fan, Chen Wan-chun & Li Yin-yuan [J. Appl. Cryst.(1989). 22, 144–149]. The error leading to the latter conclusion is identified.