The beta modification of pyridinium dichloroiodide, C5H6N+. Cl2I-, was obta
ined as yellow crystals by the reaction of (C5NH5)AuCl3, C5H6N+. Cl- and I-
2 in a vacuum-sealed ampoule. The dichloroiodide ion is nearly symmetric an
d linear with I - Cl bond lengths of 2.544 (3) and 2.550 (3) Angstrom and a
Cl-I-Cl angle of 179.68 (12)degrees.