Neutron powder diffraction on α-Tl4CrI6 and β-Tl4CrI6

α-Tl₄CrI₆ (a = 9.132(1), c = 9.667(1) Å, $\text{Z = 2,}\text{P4}\text{mnc}$ at 293 K) adopts a distorted Tl₄HgBr₆ structure. In α-Tl₄CrI₆ there occurs a random distribution of Jahn-Teller distorted octahedra which are elongated perpendicular to the c axis. Between 77 and 4.2 K a phase transition occurs. In β-Tl₄CrI₆ (a = 12.941(3), b = 12.596(3), c = 9.602(2) Å, Z = 4, Cccm at 4.2 K) the directions of elongation of the octahedra are ordered. The structure is very much related to that of α-Tl₄CrI₆. A three-dimensional magnetic ordering takes place at 2.7(2) K. The magnetic space group at 1.2 K is C_I22′2′. The magnetic moments (3.48(6) μ_B) are parallel to (0 0 1) and have an angle of 41(9)° with the a axis. Four magnetic sublattices are present, forming two independent magnetic lattices which have no interaction due to the antiparallel ordering.