A new quaternary chalcogenide halide: Synthesis and structure of Hg2SnS2Br2

Abstract

The new quaternary compound Hg2SnS2Br2 was prepared by the reaction of HgS with SnBr2. It crystallizes in the space group C:(5)(2h)-P2(1)/n of the monoclinic system with four formula units in the cell and lattice parameters of a = 935.6(1), b = 802.8(1), c = 1063.0(2) pm and beta = 103.06(1)degrees, The structure consists of [Hg-S-] helices arranged in a tetragonal rod packing which are separated by Sn2Br4-units. Both structural features appear in the structures of the pure components, too. The intercalation of SnBr2 in HgS (cinnabar-type) may be compared with that of Br-2 in CsF. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.