Divalent Samarium: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Sm4OCl6 and KSm2Cl5

Single crystals of Sm₄OCl₆ and KSm₂Cl₅ have been obtained by metallothermic reductions of SmCl₃ with lithium (in the presence of Sm₂O₃ or SmOCl) and potassium, respectively, at elevated temperatures in sealed tantalum containers. Sm₄OCl₆ (hexagonal, P6₃mc, Z = 2, a = 946.59(4), c = 717.88(4) pm) and KSm₂Cl₅ (monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 888.06(6), b = 784.81(5), c = 1262.77(8) pm, ß = 90.085(6)°) are true divalent samarium compounds, Sm₄OCl₆ with remarkably short Sm²⁺–O^2? distances (236.0, 237.6 (3x) pm) within the [Sm₄O] tetrahedron.