Vibrational and nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra of some complexes of ICl4– and AuCl4–. Part 2. Trichlorochalcogen tetrachloroaurates [ACl3][AuCl4](A = S, Se, or Te)

Abstract

Analysis of solid-state vibrational and ³⁵Cl n.q.r. spectra of the isomorphous compounds [SCl₃][AuCl₄] and [SeCl₃][AuCl₄] indicates that the AuCl₄^– ion is considerably distorted from D_4h symmetry. X-Ray powder patterns show that [TeCl₃][AuCl₄] adopts a different crystal structure, and n.q.r. and vibrational spectra are consistent with a less severe distortion of the AuCl₄^– ion. The origin of the distortions is discussed in terms of possible secondary bonding interactions in the crystals.