Dipotassium tetrachromate(VI), K₂Cr₄O₁₃

Abstract

The structure of dipotassium tetrachromium(VI) tridecaoxide, K2Cr4O13, has been determined from single-crystal X-ray data collected at 173 (2) K on a racemically twinned crystal with monoclinic Pc space-group symmetry. The structure is composed of discrete [Cr4O13]2- zigzag chains held together by the charge-balancing potassium ions. The conformations adopted by the tetrachromate anion in alkali metal salts and Cr8O21 are different and can be divided into three categories.