Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of Chalcogenidoplumbates(II or IV)
Published on: December 29, 2016
beta-Bi(4)(P(2)Se(6))(3): A New Ternary Selenophosphate Obtained in a P(2)Se(5) Flux
Jennifer A. Aitken1, Shannon Brown, Konstantinos Chondroudis
1Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, and Institut des Matériaux de Nantes, B.P. 32229, 44322 Nantes Cedex 03, France.
Abstract:
Bi metal dissolves in excess molten phosphorus selenide at 500 degrees C to yield black, rodlike, air- and water-stable beta-Bi(4)(P(2)Se(6))(3) crystals. The phase crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; (No. 2) with the room-temperature cell parameters a = 12.2303(8) Å, b = 6.7640(4) Å, c = 17.866 Å, alpha = 90.493(6) degrees, beta = 94.133(6) degrees, and gamma = 91.163(6) degrees. The new structure is a complicated, three-dimensional framework built from [Bi(4)Se(22)] ribbons connected to each other by sharing selenium atoms. The [P(2)Se(6)](4)(-) ethane-like units are found inside and between the [Bi(4)Se(22)] ribbons. The compound is a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.32 eV. It melts with decomposition at 512 degrees C, converting partially to Bi(2)Se(3) and a P(x)()Se(y)() glassy material. Far-IR and Raman spectra show characteristic stretches for the [P(2)Se(6)](4)(-) ligand and Bi-Se vibrations. The structural and chemical relationships of this compound with the alpha-form are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

