Tl2Te3O7 crystallizes with the triclinic symmetry (space group P-1) an
d the unit cell parameters a = 6.839(1) Angstrom, b = 7.432(1) Angstro
m, c = 9.920(2) Angstrom, alpha = 92.00(3)degrees, beta = 108.95(3)deg
rees, gamma = 112.85(3)degrees, Z = 2. Its crystal structure has been
solved from single crystal data to a final R1 = 0.0299. It can be desc
ribed as a three-dimensional network of MO(4)E (M = Tl, Te) trigonal b
ipyramids and TeO(3)E tetrahedra sharing either corners or edges. This
network contains diamond-shaped tunnels roughly parallel to the [1 1
1] direction and towards the center, of which are directed the stereoc
hemically active lone pairs E.