Homoleptic [M(XeF2)6]2+ cations of copper(II) and zinc(II)—Syntheses and crystal structures of [M(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 (M = Cu, Zn)

[Cu(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 crystallizes in the rhombohedral symmetry with a = 1003.6(2) pm, c = 2246.5(12) pm at 200 K and Z = 3, space group R3¯ (No. 148). [Zn(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 is isostructural to [Cu(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 with a = 1007(2) pm and c = 2243(6) pm. The structures are characterized by isolated homoleptic [M(XeF2)6]2+ (M = Cu, Zn) cations and of [SbF6]− octahedra.Reactions of M(SbF6)2 (M = Cu, Zn) with XeF2 in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) and reactions of MF2 with Xe2F3SbF6 in aHF always yield a mixture of [M(XeF2)6](SbF6)2, Xe2F3SbF6 and MF2.

Graphical abstractHomoleptic [M(XeF2)6]2+ cation in [M(XeF2)6](SbF6)2 (M = Zn, Cu). Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide