Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) tris(oxalato-O,O ')germanate(IV)

The synthesis and structure of the title compound, (C24H20P)(2)[Ge(C2O4)(3) ], are reported. The PPh4+ cations in the structure form infinite zigzag ch ains in which the P . . .P distances alternate between 6.229 (1) and 7.118 (1) Angstrom, and the P . . .P . .P angle is 131.4 (1) Angstrom. The shorte r P . . .P distance is associated with a sixfold phenyl embrace. However, t he longer P . . .P distance is associated with both phenyl-phenyl interacti ons and interactions between the cations and a twofold symmetric [Ge(C2O4)( 3)](2-) anion. In the cation-anion interactions, the P . . .O distance is 4 .444 (2) Angstrom, the O . . .P-C-distal angle is 175.0 (1)degrees and the shortest H . . .O distances are 2.74 and 3.09 Angstrom.