(1,4-dabH)2MnSnS4: The first thiostannate with integrated Mn ions in an anionic chain structure

The new thiostannate (1,4-dabH)₂MnSnS₄ (1,4-dab = 1,4-diaminobutane) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The compound crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group Fdd2 with a = 22.8124(15) Å, b = 24.7887(16) Å, c = 6.4153(6) Å, Z = 8, and V = 3627.8(5) Å³. The structure consists of one-dimensional straight anionic chains composed of alternating SnS₄ and MnS₄ tetrahedra sharing common edges. The chains are directed along 001] and are surrounded by the organic cations which form undulated chains along 100] by strong intermolecular N–HN hydrogen bonding interactions. Several SH contacts suggest weak interactions between the anionic chains and the cations. The band gap amounts to 2.9 eV indicating that the compound is a photo-conductor. The compound is stable up to about 190 °C and decomposes in two distinct steps above this temperature.