Alchemists' Gold, Hg2.86 Asf6; An X-Ray Crystallographic Study of A Novel Disordered Mercury Compound Containing Metallically Bonded Infinite Cations

Authors:
  • IBI. David Brown
    I. David Brown
  • BCBrent D. Cutforth
    Brent D. Cutforth
  • CDColin G. Davies
    Colin G. Davies
  • RGRonald J. Gillespie
    Ronald J. Gillespie
  • PIPeter R. Ireland
    Peter R. Ireland
  • JVJohn E. Vekris
    John E. Vekris
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Abstract
The compound Hg2.86 AsF6 belongs to the tetragonal space group I41/amd with lattice parameters a = 7.538(4) Å, c = 12.339(5) Å, and Z = 4. The structure was refined using 109 symmetry independent reflections by full matrix least-squares refinement to a final R value of 0.079. The structure may be described as consisting of octahedral AsF6− ions arranged on a lattice which contains linear, non-intersecting channels in two mutually perpendicular directions. Within these channels are infinite chains of mercury atoms, each with a formal charge of +0.35, and with a mercury–mercury distance of 2.64(1) Å.