The RhX n (X = S,Se, Te) Coordination Polyhedra in Crystal Structures

The Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra (VDP) and the method of intersecting spheres were applied to crystal-chemical analysis of all known compounds whose structures contain rhodium atoms surrounded by chalcogen atoms. The influence of the rhodium valence state and the nature of the chalcogen on the main features of Rh stereochemistry are discussed. Rhodium atoms exhibit coordination numbers of 6, 5, or 4 with respect to S, Se, or Te atoms; in addition to the bonds with chalcogens, rhodium can form 1 to 4 bonds with metal atoms. The VDP volume for Rh(III), Rh(2.67), and Rh(II) atoms in selenides and tellurides very weakly depends on the valence state, whereas in the case of sulfides, the volume increases rather regularly with a decrease in the metal oxidation number from Rh(III) to Rh(I).