Synthesis of single crystals of Cd(OH)CI and Cu(OH)CI allowed us to revise
the structure of these hydroxychlorides and confirm their space group: P6(3
)mc (R = 0.041; R-w = 0.050) for Cd(OH)CI and P2(1)/c (R = 0.051; R-w = 0.0
69) for Cu(OH)CI. Positions of hydrogen atoms mere determined and an hypoth
esis of hydrogen bonds is discussed in relation to the infrared spectra, A
comparison of the structures shows that an isomorphism is not possible betw
een the two compounds, due to the important Jahn-Teller effect of divalent
copper. On the other hand, a structural relationship exists between Cd(OH)C
I and beta-Cd(OH)(2), which belongs to the brucite-type family. (C) 2000 Ac
ademic Press.