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

The structure of the new quaternary thiophosphate rubidium diniobium tris(disulfide) tetrathiophosphate, RbNb2(S-2)(3)(PS4), is made up of one-dimensional (1)(infinity)[Nb-2(S-2)(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) Angstrom, respectively] alternate along the chain, and the anionic species S-2(2-) and S2- are observed.