Crystal Structure of O2PtF6: A Neutron-Diffraction Study

Abstract

The structure of O₂PtF₆ has been refined using neutron‐diffraction data from a polycrystalline sample. The O–O bond length has not been determined with high precision owing to the probability of dynamic or static disorder of the O₂ groups. O–O distances in the range 0.9 to 1.4 Å are compatible with the data if a suitable model is chosen for the disorder. Thus, although the data are compatible with the probable formulation as O₂⁺PtF₆⁻, other formulations cannot be eliminated. All models display interionic distances O···F of 2.5 Å or less. These distances are indicative of strong interionic attractions and may be responsible for the stability of the compound. The PtF₆⁻ ion is a regular octahedron with a Pt–F bond length of 1.82±0.03 Å.