REINVESTIGATION OF RUBIDIUMSESQUIOXIDE, RB4O6

Rb4O6 was prepared as a pure substance by solid state reaction between Rb2O2 and RbO2; it proves to be thermodynamically stable. The suggested structure was confirmed and refined by X-ray powder and single crystal methods (I43dBAR; a = 932,42(4) pm; Rb4(O2-)2(O2(2-)); Z = 4). Rb4O6 melts at 461-degrees-C followed by exothermic decomposition. The fact that O2- and O2(2-) cannot be distinguished is discussed.