Synthesis and crystal structure of tetraethylammonium-μ-trichloro-heptachloro-diaqua-trirhenate(III)-dihydrate,NEt4[Re3Cl10(H2O)2] · 2 H2O

NEt₄[Re₃Cl₁₀(H₂O)₂] · 2 H₂O ( 1 ) was obtained from hydrochloric acid solutions of ReCl₃ and tetraethylammonium chloride, NEt₄Cl, by isothermal evaporation as dark red crystals. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pnma, Z = 4, with a = 1838,7(2), b = 1456.9(1), c = 972.08(7) pm, V_m = 391.81(6) cm³ · mol^?l. The crystal structure consists of [Re₃Cl₁₀(H₂O)₂]^? anions that are arranged in the fashion of a hexagonal closest-packing of spheres. These are held together by partially disordered NEt₄⁺ cations and are bound into a hydrogen bonding system with the crystal water.