  The chromium(II) orthophosphate {\alpha}-Cr3(PO4)2 is a weak ferrimagnet with
the Curie temperature TC = 29 K confirmed by a \lambda-type peak in specific
heat. Dominant antiferromagnetic interactions in this system are characterized
by the Weiss temperature {\Theta} = - 96 K, indicating an intermediate
frustration ratio |{\Theta}|/TC ~ 3. In its magnetically ordered states
{\alpha}-Cr3(PO4)2 exhibits a remarkable sequence of temperature-induced
magnetization reversals sensitive to the protocol of measurements, i.e. either
field-cooled or zero-field-cooled regimes. The reduction of the effective
magnetic moment 4.5 {\mu}B/Cr2+, as compared to the spin-only moment 4.9
{\mu}B/Cr2+, cannot be ascribed to the occurence of the low-spin state in any
crystallographic site of the Jahn-Teller active 3d4 Cr2+ ions. X-ray absorption
spectra at the K-edge indicate divalent chromium and unravel the high-spin
state of these ions at the L2,3-edges. Weak ferrimagnetism and multiple
magnetization reversal phenomena seen in this compound could be ascribed to
incomplete cancellation and distortion of partial spontaneous magnetization
functions of Cr2+ in its six crystallographically inequivalent positions.
