Structure of Pb-rich chabournéite from Jas Roux, France

The crystal structure of a specimen of 'Pb-rich' chabournéite from Jas Roux, Hautes-Alpes, France, with the chemical formula obtained by electron microprobe analysis of Ag0.04 (1)Tl2.15 (2)Pb0.64 (1)Sb5.12 (1)As5.05 (1)S17.32 (5), has been solved by X-ray single-crystal diffraction on the basis of 36 550 observed reflections (with F o > 4σF o) with a final R 1 = 0.074. Pb-rich chabournéite is triclinic P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 8.5197 (4), b = 42.461 (2), c = 16.293 (8) Å, α = 83.351 (2), β = 90.958 (2), γ = 84.275 (2)°, V = 5823 (3) Å3. Its structural formula is close to [Tl2(Pb0.8Tl0.1Sb1.1)](Sb4.1As4.9)S17, with Z = 8. Its crystal structure is formed by the alternation of two pairs of slabs along the b axis, deriving from the SnS and PbS archetypes, respectively. 104 independent cation sites and 136 S sites occur in the unit cell. Slab interfaces show the alternation, along c, of Tl sites, ninefold coordinated, with Pb, Sb or mixed/split (Pb,Sb) and (Pb,Tl) sites. Within the slabs, 72 independent M 3+ sites (M 3+ = As, Sb) occur. Considering M 3+ - S bond distances shorter than 2.70 Å, MS3 triangular pyramidal groups are condensed according to various Mm S n chain fragments ('polymers'). The solution of the crystal structure of chabournéite allows its comparison with the closely related homeotypes protochabournéite and dalnegroite.