(CH3NH3)(2)Sb2S4, a new thioantimonate(III) with building groups stabilized by hydrogen bonds

(CH3NH3)(2)Sb2S4 has been isolated from the reaction of antimony with sulfu r in the presence of manganese in an ethanolic solution of methylamine unde r solvothermal conditions. Two pyramidal SbS3 units are linked via common S -S edges to give dimeric Sb2S42- anions, which are joined via secondary Sb. ..S contacts of 3.074(?) and 2.975(2) a forming infinite (1)(infinity)[SbS2 ](-2n) chains consisting of edge-linked psi-SbS4 trigonal bipyramids. The c is configuration of the Sb2S42- anions in the title compound is observed fo r the first time. A specific hydrogen-bonding pattern between the amino-hyd rogen and the sulfur atoms stabilizes this configuration and gives rise to anionic layers separated by the methyl groups.