Crystal structure of Cu₁₂P₂₀Br₁₀, a polyphosphide containing a new phosphorus polymer

Abstract

Abstract We report about the crystal structure of Cu 12 P 20 Br 10 , a polyphosphide containing the new polyanionic phosphorus polymer [unk][P 20 2− ]. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P [unk] (No. 2) with a = 9.886(2) Å, b = 13.190(2) Å, c = 14.763 (3) Å, α = 70.83(1)°, α = 82.68(1)°, γ = 80.13(1)°, V = 1786.1 (6) Å 3 and Z = 2. The phosphorus atoms build up one dimensional negatively charged tubes consisting of condensed 5- and 6-membered rings. They are connected via copper atoms to form double tubes oriented parallel [010] and are embedded between wavy layers of copper and bromine atoms. All copper atoms except those that are linked to negatively charged P-atoms are strongly disordered.