Tin-halide compounds. I. The molecular and crystal structure of tin(IV) chloride [Zinnhalogenverbindungen. I: Die molekül- und kristallstruktur von Zinn(IV)-chlorid]

Abstract

Single crystals of tin(IV) chloride were grown and the crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes monoclinic in the space group P21/c with a = 9.8642(19), b = 6.6800(14), c = 9.9377(16) Å, β = 102.945(13)°, V = 638.2(2) Å3, Z = 4 and is isostructural to SnBr4. The tetrahedral symmetry of the isolated molecules is very well realised as well as for the bond lengths and angles. The Sn-Cl distances with an average value of 227.9(3) pm are smaller than the sum (239 pm) of the normal covalence radii of tin and chlorine. An approach for the description of the crystal structure packing on the basis of the hexagonal-close packing is given.