Mercury(I) molybdates and tungstates: Hg2WO4 and two modifications of Hg2MoO4

The high-temperature (beta-) modification of Hg2MoO4 was prepared by solid-state reaction of HgO with MoO2 at 400 degrees C. Well-crystallized samples of the low-temperature (alpha-) modification of Hg2MoO4 and isotypic Hg2WO4 were obtained by hydrothermal recrystallization of the microcrystalline powders at 180 degrees C. The crystal structures of these transparent yellow compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. beta-Hg2MoO4: P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 511.31(6) pm, b = 901.83(7) pm, c = 1086.0(1) pm, beta = 101.01(3) degrees. alpha-Hg2MoO4 and Hg2WO4: C2/c, Z = 4, a = 873.52(6) and 873.0(1) pm, b = 1155.19(7) and 1147.6(3) pm, c = 493.05(3) and 493.24(6) pm, beta = 115.196(5) degrees and 114.86(1) degrees, respectively. In beta-Hg2MoO4 the molybdenum atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated by oxygen atoms and the MoO4 tetrahedra are linked via Hg2 dumb-bells, thus forming infinite zigzag chains. The low-temperature (alpha-)modification of Hg2MoO4 contains MoO6 octahedra, which are linked via common edges to form zigzag chains, which are further linked via Hg2 dumb-bells, resulting in puckered two-dimensionally infinite sheets. Bonding between adjacent sheets is achieved only via weak (secondary) Hg-O bonds of 254.8 pm, while the strong Hg-O bonds of the nearly linear O-Hg-Hg-O groups within the sheets have a length of 214.8 pm. The Hg-Hg bond lengths are practically the same in the three compounds with 252.3(1), 253.49(7), and 253.3(1) pm in beta-Hg2MoO4, alpha-Hg2MoO4, and Hg2WO4, respectively. The average Mo-O distances within the MoO4 tetrahedra and the MoO6 octahedra are 176.2, and 196.5 pm, respectively. The structural chemistry of these compounds is discussed together with that of previously reported mercury I and II molybdates and tungstates.