K2[Te4O8(OH)10]: synthesis,crystal structure and thermal behavior

Dipotassium octaoxodecahydroxotetratellurate, K₂[Te₄O₈(OH)₁₀], has been prepared hydrothermally in acidic medium under autogenous pressure. It crystallizes in space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system with Z=2 in a cell of dimensions a=5.592(1) Å, b=8.283(2) Å, c=16.255(3) Å, and β=99.62(3)°. The outstanding feature of the structure is a tetrameric [Te₄O₈(OH)₁₀]^2– anion built up from edge and corner sharing TeO₆ octahedra. These anions and K⁺ cations are held together by electrostatic interactions and by hydrogen bonds. The compound decomposes in two steps at 350 and 420 °C, corresponding to a water and an oxygen loss, respectively, and affording the mixed valence oxide K₂Te^VI₃Te^IVO₁₂.