Synthesis and crystal structure of lithiumozonide-ammonia (1/5) LiO3 center dot 5NH(3)

Lithium ozonide has been synthezised starting from cesium ozonide via catio n exchange in liquid ammonia and crystallizes at -78 degrees C as an ammoni ate, LiO3. 5NH(3). The coarse, ruby red crystals decompose above the boilin g temperature of ammonia and are extremely sensitive to moisture. The cryst al structure of LiO3. 5NH(3) (P c2(1)n; a = 1231.9(5), b = 637.4(2), c = 11 04.8(4) pm; Z = 4; R-1 = 4.57%; 1318 independent reflections) consists of L ithium tetramine complexes, ozonide anions and non coordinating ammonia mol ecules. With respect to the arrangement of the complex cations and of the a nions there is similarity to the WC type of structure. The central oxygen a tom of the ozonide anion is disordered.