Synthesis and crystal structure of [(C 7 H 10 N) 2 ] 2+ [Sb 2 Cl 8 ] 2−1

The reaction of 2,6-dimethylpyridine with SbCl 3 and HCl affords the title compound, the structure of which is ascertained by X-ray diffraction. The unit cell consists of one bridged Sb 2 Cl 8 2− anion and two 2,6-dimethylpyridinium cations. The trivalent antimony ion is bonded not only directly to chlorine anions, but also is coordinated with chlorine anions by secondary bonds. In the crystal, there exists infinite coordinated chains of [Sb 2 Cl 8 ] n 2 n − anions running along the a axis, which link 2,6-dimethylpyridinium cations by N-H…Cl hydrogen bonds.