The crystal structure of hexathallium(I) hexatellurodigermanate(III), Tl6[Ge2Te6]

The new compound Tl₆Ge₂Te₆] was prepared by thermal synthesis from the elements. The material is triclinic, space group $\text{P}\text{1}$, with a = 9.471(2), b = 9.714(2), c = 10.389(2) Å, α = 89.39(1), β = 97.27(1), γ = 100.79(1)°, and Z = 2. The crystal structure was determined from single-crystal intensity data measured by means of an automated four-circle diffractometer and refined to an R value of 0.053 for 1831 observed reflections. Tl₆Ge₂Te₆] is characterized by Ge₂Te₆ units with GeGe bonds which are linked into a three-dimensional structure by Tl atoms coordinated to essentially six Te atoms. The most important mean distances are $\text{d}\text{GeGe}\text{) = 2.456}$ Å, $\text{d}\text{(}\text{GeTe}\text{) = 2.573}$ Å, and $\text{d}\text{(}\text{TlTe}\text{) = 3.515}$Å. The lone 6s electron pairs of the thallium(I) atoms exhibit significant stereochemical activity. Tl₆Ge₂Te₆] represents a new structure type.