The prismatic Te-6(2+) ion in the structure of Te-6(NbOCl4)(2)

Te-6(NbOCl4)(2) is obtained from Te, TeCl4 and NbOCl3 at 200 degrees C. It crystallizes triclinic, space group <P(1)over bar> (a = 915,5(4) pm, b = 1655,3(6) pm, c = 3134,4(9) pm, alpha = 42,62(2)degrees, beta = 117,12(6)degrees, gamma = 138,24(8)degrees). The crystal structure analysis shows, that the structure is built of one-dimensional polymeric (1)(infinity)[NbOCl4-] chains in which the monomers are linked via linear O-Nb-O-bridges and from discrete Te-6(2+) polycations that are also arranged in strands, but without significant interactions. The structure is closley related but not isotypic to the previously reported tungsten containing analogue Te-6(WOCl4)(2) (monoclinic, P2(1)/c). A comparison of the two structures shows that rotations of the cationic strands relative to the anionic strands lead to different cation-anion interactions.