STRUCTURE OF A NEW TERNARY CHALCOGENIDE - FETA(MU-4-TE)(MU-3-TE)2

Iron tantalum tritelluride, FeTaTe3, M(r) = 619.59, monoclinic, P2(1)/m, a = 7.407 (4), b = 3.625 (3), c = 9.966 (3) angstrom, beta = 109.16 (3)-degrees, V = 252.8 (2) angstrom, Z = 2, D(x) = 8.138 g cm-3, lambda(Mo Kalpha) = 0.71069 angstrom, mu = 410.98 cm-1, F(000) = 510, T = 295 K, final R = 0.051 for 1145 observed reflections. The new layered ternary chalcogenide FeTaTe3 has been prepared by high-temperature reaction of the elements. FeTaTe3 displays a new layered structure type. Every layer contains octahedral Ta atoms and tetrahedral Fe atoms each coordinated by Te atoms. These polyhedra, which are distinctly irregular, join via shared edges to form chains along the b axis. The Fe-Te bond in the title compound is the first to be characterized in the layered compounds.