Convenient synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, and Raman spectrum of the heptasulphide dianion, S72−, in [PPN]2S7•2EtOH
The S72− ion is readily prepared in high yield by the reaction of [PPN]SH with cyclo-S8 in ethanol. The crystal and molecular structures of [PPN]2S7•2EtOH have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystals are monoclinic and belong to the space group P21, a = 13.199(2), b = 19.414(2), c = 14.046(2) Å, β = 94.027(6)°, V = 3590.3(7) Å3, Z = 2. The final R and Rw values were 0.064 and 0.060, respectively. The S72− ion is an unbranched chain of sulphur atoms in the cis,trans,cis-configuration with torsion angles of 89.99(18), 71.84(16), 76.54(16), and 94.19(18)°. The S—S distances (in Å) become progressively smaller in the sequence d(S—S central) [2.072(3) and 2.070(3)] > d(S—S internal) [2.050(2) and 2.037(3)] > d(S—S) terminal [2.044(3) and 2.026(4)]. The Raman spectrum of the S72− ion in [PPN]2S7•2EtOH exhibits characteristic S—S stretching vibrations at 503, 453, 419, and 395 cm−1.