Two-dimensional polymeric [Hg4(μ2-I)6I2(μ2-C4S6)]n

The title compound, poly[(μ2-2H,5H-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-d][1,3]dithiole-2,5-dithione)hexa-μ2-iodido-diiodidotetramercury(II)], [Hg4I8(C4S6)]n, represents the first example of a coordination polymer assembled by the α,α-C4S6 dithione ligand. The HgII ions are four-coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, the coordination demand being satisfied either by four bridging iodide ligands or by three iodide ligands (one terminal and two bridging) and a thiocarbonyl S atom. Due to the bridging nature of the dithione ligand, the coordination polymer has a two-dimensional structure, built up of undulated layers parallel to (001). There is an inversion center at the mid-point of the central C=C double bond.