The crystal structure of dipotassium trimolybdate, K2Mo3O10; a compound with five-co-ordinate molybdenum(VI)

Abstract

Dipotassium trimolybdate, K₂Mo₃O₁₀, crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with unit cell dimensions a= 13·902, b= 7·914, c= 8·845 Å, β= 98°50′. Its structure, determined by three-dimensional Patterson and Fourier syntheses and refined by least squares, contains distorted MoO₆ octahedra and MoO₅ square pyramids which share edges to form infinite chains parallel to the c axis. These chains are held together by potassium ions occupying irregular ten-co-ordinate interchain positions. The analogous trimolybdates, Rb₂Mo₃O₁₀ and Cs₂Mo₃O₁₀, have been shown to be isostructural and preliminary data for the previously unreported Ag₂Mo₃O₁₀ is given.