Synthesis and crystal structure of Mn-2(C2H5NH2)(2)Sb2S5 exhibiting a reversible phase transition

The reaction of elemental manganese, antimony and sulfur with ethylamine un der mild solvothermal conditions yielded a thioantimonate(III) with composi tion Mn-2(EA)(2)Sb2S5 (EA = C2H5NH2) that is a new member of a series of po lymeric manganese thioantimonates(III). The structure of the title compound consists of layers of a neutral mesh-like Mn2Sb2S5 framework. The ethylami no ligands coordinated to the Mn centres separate the sheets and fill the v oids within the layers formed by the interconnection of Mn2Sb2S4 heterocuba ne like building blocks. Below 273 K a reversible phase transition occurs, which is accompanied by a doubling of the crystallographic a-axis.