[1,2‐P2S8]2− – a New Member of the Thiophosphate Family: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectrum of [NH4(2.2.2‐cryptand)]2[1,2‐P2S8] and [NH4(18‐crown‐6)]2[1,2‐P2S8]·H2O

Colourless block‐shaped crystals of (NH₄)₂(2.2.2‐cryptand)₂]P₂S₈] ( 1 ) and (NH₄)₂(18‐crown‐6)₂]P₂S₈]·H₂O ( 2 ) could be obtained by the reaction of an aqueous solution of ammonium hexathiohypodiphosphate, (NH₄)₄P₂S₆·2 H₂O, with sulfur and 2.2.2‐cryptand or 18‐crown‐6. The crystal structures of both compounds have been determined by single‐crystal X‐Ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 2032.7(2), b = 1243.6(2), c = 2244.6(2) pm, β = 98.64(1)°, and Z = 8, whereas compound 2 crystallizes also monoclinic in the space group P2₁/c with a = 2121.3(2), b = 865.5(1), c = 2345.4(2) pm, β = 91.96(1)°, and Z = 4. It could be established that the title compounds contain a new type of six‐membered 1,2‐P₂S₄] ring with P – P bond and three S – S linkages. The tetrahedral environment of each phosphorus is completed by a (formally) single and double bonded sulfur atom attached externally to the 1,2‐P₂S₄] ring. These terminal PS₂ units are mesomerically stabilized according to their P – S distances. FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of the title compounds are recorded and interpreted.