The reaction of MoCl4 with TeCl4: Synthesis and crystal structure of tris(trichlorotelluronium) hexachloromolybdate(IV) chloride, ([TeCl3](+))(3)[MoCl6](2-)[Cl-]

Red crystals of (TeCl3)(3) MoCl6(Cl) are obtained by reacting MoCl4 with TeCl4 in a 1:3 molar ratio in a sealed evacuated ampoule at 170 degrees. The crystal structure determination (orthorhombic, space group Cmc2(1), a = 1541.6(2), b = 1268.1(1), c = 1180.6(1) pm) shows the presence of trigonal-pyramidal [TeCl3](+) ions, octahedral [MoCl6](2-) ions, and isolated Cl- ions. The ions are linked by long Te-Cl bridges resulting in distorted TeCl6 octahedra. The octahedra are connected by joint edges and corners to zig-zag chains running along the polar c axis.