Directing the structures of silver-antimony sulphides: A new topological variant of the [Ag5Sb3S8]2− double layer

A new silver–antimony sulphide, [C6H20N4][Ag5Sb3S8], has been synthesised solvothermally in the presence of triethylenetetramine and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. The compound crystallises in the space group P21/m   (a=6.2778(7)a=6.2778(7), b=15.8175(16)b=15.8175(16) and c=12.4617(15)Å and β=104.561(5)°β=104.561(5)°) and adopts a structure in which honeycomb-like sheets of fused six-membered silver–antimony-sulphide rings are linked through Ag–S bonds to form double layers. The idealised structure can be considered to be derived from that of antifluorite and represents a second structure type for the [Ag5Sb3S8]2− double layer.

Graphical abstract.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide