Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Hexathiometadiphosphate Cu₂P₂S₆

Copper hexathiometadiphosphate, Cu₂P₂S₆, was synthesized and characterized. Brick-red copper hexathiometadiphosphate Cu₂P₂S₆ crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₂/mnm (no. 136) with a = b = 5.2565(7), c = 15.066(3) Å and V = 416.3(1) ų in a novel structure type. This is the first hexathiometadiphosphate, whose crystal structure is based on a slightly distorted cubic closest packing of sulfur atoms. 1/3 of the tetrahedral voids are occupied by Cu and P in an ordered fashion, thus resulting in a layered structure. The structural motif of layers composed of corner-sharing CuS₄ tetrahedra (comparable to red HgI₂) that are separated by [P₂S₆]^2- anions orientated perpendicular to these layers, is rarely found in solid state chemistry. The compound is diamagnetic and shows negligible electronic conductivity. Electronic structure calculations and UV/Vis measurements point to a bandgap in the visible range and explain the red color of the compound. Additionally, the oxidation state +1 for Cu was confirmed by the electronic structure calculations. The thermal properties of Cu₂P₂S₆ were investigated by DTA.