Synthesis and crystal structure of the layer compound Sb3TeO6Cl

Abstract

The mixed oxohalide Sb₃TeO₆Cl has been obtained and characterized for the first time. The structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray techniques, using diffractometer data. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group I_mmm, with a= 4.1283(8), b= 9.390(3), c= 12.968(8)Å, and Z= 2. Refinement led to a final R value of 0.037 using 278 observed reflections. The co-ordination of the heavy atom can be considered as a distorted trigonal bipyramid with the lone pair directed towards one of the equatorial positions. The crystal consists of parallel layers of (Sb₃TeO₆)_n⁺ perpendicular to the c axis, the isolated Cl^– anions being situated between these layers. Thus, Sb₃TeO₆Cl is an example of a positively- charged network structure.