Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Rb6Ta4S22: The First Tantalum Polysulfide Composed of the Dimeric Complex Anion [Ta4S22]6–

The reaction of Rb₂S₃, Ta and S in a 1.3 : 1 : 5.6 molar ratio at 400 °C yields red‐orange crystals of the new ternary compound Rb₆Ta₄S₂₂ being the first tantalum polysulfide containing the dimeric complex anion Ta₄S₂₂]^6–. The polysulfide anions are composed of two Ta₂S₁₁ subunits which are linked to Ta₄S₂₂ units via terminal sulfur ligands. The Ta⁵⁺ centers are coordinated by S₂^2– and S^2– ligands according to (Ta₂(μ₂‐η²,η¹‐S₂)₃(η²‐S₂)(S)₂)₂(μ₂‐η¹,η¹‐S₂)]^6–. Every Ta⁵⁺ ion is surrounded by seven sulfur ions forming a strongly distorted pentagonal bipyramid. In the crystal structure the discrete Ta₄S₂₂]^6– anions are stacked parallel to the crystallographic b‐axis. The Rb⁺ cations are located between these stacks. Rb₆Ta₄S₂₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with a = 11.8253(9) Å, b = 7.9665(4) Å, c = 19.174(2) Å, β = 104.215(9)°, V = 1751.0(2) ų, Z = 2.