Crystal Structure of Tl2[NbCl6] and Tl2[NbBr6]

Abstract

Single crystals of Tl₂[NbCl₆] (1) and Tl₂ [NbBr₆] (2) are obtained as black needles on heating TlCl, Nb, S₂Cl₂ (1) and Tl, Nb, and Br₂ at 400°C (2). Tl₂NbBr₆ also forms in the reaction of TlBr, Nb, Br₂, and S at 500°C. Both compounds crystallize in the K₂[PtCl₆] structure type to form non-distorted octahedral [NbХ₆]^2– anions (Nb–Cl 2.397(4) Å and Nb–Br 2.516(2) Å). The magnetic properties of Tl₂[NbBr₆] in a range 5-300 K indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between Nb⁴⁺ ion spins (d¹, S = 1/2). On cooling, the compound becomes a noncollinear ferromagnet with T_c = 23 K.