NEW COMPOUND CONTAINING THE TETRASULFATODIMOLYBDENUM ANION WITH A BOND ORDER OF 3.5

The [Mo2(S04)4]3- ion has been obtained in the form of a compound with the formula K4[Mo2(SO4)4]Cl.4H2O. This compound has many advantages over the previously known K3[Mo2(SO4)4].3.5H2O for the study of the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of the [Mo2(SO4)4]3- ion. It crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc with cell dimensions a = 11.930 (2) Å, c = 7.930 (1) Å,V = 1128 (1) Å3, and Z = 2. The [Mo2(SO4)4]3- ions occupy special positions with 4/m (C4h) symmetry, and the Mo-Mo axes are all precisely parallel to the crystallographic c axis. The Cl- ions lie between [Mo2(SO4)4]3- ions so as to form continuous, linear ⋯Mo-Mo⋯Cl⋯Mo-Mo⋯Cl⋯chains with very long, 2.881 (1) Å, weak Mo to Cl interactions. The Mo-Mo distance, 2.167 (2) Å, is identical within experimental error with that found in K3[Mo2(SO4)4].3.5H2O. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.