An accurate determination of the crystal structure of triclinic potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7

The crystal structure of triclinic potassium dichromate has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cell constants are a = 13.367, b = 7.376, c = 7.445 Å, α = 90.75°, β = 96.21°, γ = 97.96° with four K 2 Cr 2 O 7 units per cell. Refinement of 2600 reflections in both the space groups P1 and [Formula: see text] leads to the same structure. This is in agreement with the results of anomalous dispersion measurements, confirming that [Formula: see text] is the correct space group. The final agreement index, R, is 0.054. The two crystallographically independent dichromate ions are similar, deviating only slightly from C 2v) symmetry. The Cr—O (terminal) distance is 1.63 Å, the Cr—O (bridging) distance is 1.79 Å and all angles at the chromium atoms are tetrahedral except for one of the O(bridging)—Cr—O(terminal) angles in each ion which is 106°. The angles at the bridging oxygen atoms are 124° and 128°. The geometry of the anion is compared with that found in a number of similar groups.