XeF2 as a ligand in a coordination compound with the BF4- anion

The first tetrafluoroborate compound with XeF2 coordinated to a metal center, [Cd(XeF2)](BF4)2, has been synthesized. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/a with a = 8.785(11) A, b = 9.079(2) A, c = 10.718(6) A, beta = 110.824(6), and Z = 4. Its crystal structure and that of Cd(BF4)2 have been solved. The latter crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca. Both syntheses were performed in aHF as solvent, at room temperature, yielding colorless solids. The Raman spectra of the solids are in harmony with the crystallographic findings. [Cd(XeF2)](BF4)2 has been shown to be in equilibrium with XeF2 and Cd(BF4)2 in aHF.