Modified tellurium subhalides in the new structure type [Te15X4]n[MOX4]2n (M = Mo, W; X = Cl, Br)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/zaac.19966220315

The reactions of Te₂Br with MoOBr₃, TeCl₄ with MoNCl₂/MoOCl₃, and Te with WBr₅/WOBr₃ yield black, needle-like crystals of [Te₁₅X₄][MOX₄]₂ (M = Mo, W; X = Cl, Br). The crystal structure determinations ([Te₁₅Br₄][MoOBr₄]₂: monoclinic, Z = 1, C₂/m, a = 1595.9(4) pm, b = 403.6(1) pm, c = 1600.4(4) pm, β = 112.02(2)°; [Te₁₅Cl₄][MoOCl₄]₂: C2/m, a = 1535.3(5) pm, b = 402.8(2) pm, c = 1569.6(5) pm, β = 112.02(2)°; [Te₁₅Br₄][WOBr₄]₂: C2, a = 1592.4(4) pm, b = 397.5(1) pm, c = 1593.4(5) pm, β = 111.76(2)° show that all three compounds are isotypic and consist of one-dimensional ([Te₁₅X₄]²⁺)_n and ([MOX₄]^-), strands. The structures of the cationic strands are closely related to the tellurium subhalides Te₂X (X = Br, I). One of the two rows of halogen atoms that bridges the band of condensed Te₆ rings is stripped off, and additionally one Te position has only 15% occupancy which leads to the formula ([Te₁₅X₄]²⁺)_n (X = Cl, Br) for the cation. The anionic substructures consist of tetrahalogenooxometalate ions [MOX₄]^- that are linked by linear oxygen bridges to polymeric strands. The compounds are paramagnetic with one unpaired electron per metal atom indicating oxidation state Mv, and are weak semiconductors. Johann Ambrosius Barth 1996.