Two New Modifications of [P(C6H5)4]2[Cu2I4]

Single crystals of two new modifications of [P(C₆H₅)₄]₂[Cu₂I₄] were obtained by reaction of granulated copper with iodine and [P(C₆H₅)₄]I in dry acetone under nitrogen atmosphere. They crystallise monoclinically, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a = 11.550(6), b = 7.236(2), c = 27.232(13) Å, β = 98.13(3)°, V = 2253(2) ų, and Z = 2 ([P(C₆H₅)₄]₂[Cu₂I₄]-C), and space group Cc (No. 9), a = 17.133(5), b = 15.941(5), c = 18.762 (6) Å, β = 114.02(1)°, V = 4681(3) ų, and Z = 4 ([P(C₆H₅)₄]₂[Cu₂I₄]-D), respectively. In these compounds the [CuI₂]^? anions form dimers di-μ-iodo-diiodocuprate(I), which are either planar ( C ) or folded ( D ).