Deciphering the Crystal Structure of a Scarce 1D Polymeric Thorium Peroxo Sulfate

The preparation and structural characterization of an original Th peroxo sulfate dihydrate, crystallizing at room temperature in the form of stable 1D polymeric microfibres is described. A combination of laboratory and synchrotron techniques allowed solution of the structure of the Th(O₂ )(SO₄ )(H₂ O)₂ compound, which crystallizes in a new structure type in the space group Pna2₁ of the orthorhombic crystal system. Particularly, the peroxide ligand coordinates to the Th cations in an unusual μ₃ -η² :η² :η² bridging mode, forming an infinite 1D chain decorated with sulfato ligands exhibiting simultaneously monodentate and bidentate coordination modes.