A new quaternary thiophosphate,RbNb2(S2)3(PS4)

The structure of the new quaternary thio­phosphate rubidium diniobium tris­(di­sulfide) tetra­thio­phosphate, RbNb₂(S₂)₃(PS₄), is made up of one‐dimensional Nb₂(S₂)₃(PS₄)^?] chains along the 101] direction, and these chains are separated from one another by Rb⁺ ions. The chain is basically built up from Nb₂S₁₂] units and tetrahedral PS₄] groups. The Nb₂S₁₂] units are linked together to form a linear Nb₂S₉] chain by sharing the S–S prism edge. Short and long Nb—Nb distances 2.888 (2) and 3.760 (2) Å, respectively] alternate along the chain, and the anionic species S₂^2? and S^2? are observed.