Mixtures of strontium and mercury in molar ratios of 7:3 have been ann
ealed for 20 days at 520 degrees C. From the pure product Sr3Hg2 singl
e crystals have been obtained. Sr3Hg2 crystallizes in the U3Si2 type o
f structure (space group P4/mbm); the cell constants are a = 8.883 (2)
Angstrom and c = 4.553(1) Angstrom. All of the Hg atoms are involved
in Hg-2 dumbbells with Hg-Hg distances of 3.41 Angstrom.