Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) tris(oxalato-O,O')germanate(IV)

The synthesis and structure of the title compound, (C(24)H(20)P)(2)[Ge(C(2)O(4))(3)], are reported. The PPh(4)(+) cations in the structure form infinite zigzag chains in which the P.P distances alternate between 6.229 (1) and 7.118 (1) A, and the P.P.P angle is 131.4 (1) A. The shorter P.P distance is associated with a sixfold phenyl embrace. However, the longer P.P distance is associated with both phenyl-phenyl interactions and interactions between the cations and a twofold symmetric [Ge(C(2)O(4))(3)](2-) anion. In the cation-anion interactions, the P.O distance is 4.444 (2) A, the O.P-C(distal) angle is 175.0 (1) degrees and the shortest H.O distances are 2.74 and 3.09 A.