The crystal structure of Tl2Te3 - a reinvestigation

Crystals of the title compound were obtained by annealing a powder of Tl2Te 3 in a vertical temperature gradient (230 degrees C-240 degrees C, 4 weeks) . Tl2Te3 crystallizes in space group C2/c with lattice parameters of a = 13 .275(1) Angstrom, b = 6.562(1) Angstrom, c = 7.918(1) Angstrom, and beta = 107.14 degrees(2). The tellurium atoms form chains (1)(infinity)[Te-3(2-)], consisting of interconnected linear triatomic Te-Te-Te groups which are is osteric with XeF2. XeF2. The Te-Te distances of the XeF2-like units are 3.0 2 Angstrom, the connecting ones 2.83 Angstrom.