Crystals of Cs4SnO3 were synthesized by reaction of SnO with elemental
Cs. The compound crystallizes with the triclinic spacegroup P (1) ove
r bar with lattice constants a = 737.61(9) pm, b = 1171.3(1) pm, c = 1
199.2(1) pm, alpha = 66.08(3)degrees, beta = 80.88(2)degrees, gamma =
82.28(3)degrees and Z = 4. The crystal structure exhibits isolated sta
nnate(II) ions [(SnO3)-O-II](4-) of psi-tetrahedral form. Whereas a ne
w structure type is present, there is a close relationship with the st
ructures of the Cs stanntates and plumbates(IV).