Crystal structure of the mixed-metal thio­phosphate Nb(1.18)V(0.82)PS(10)

The mixed-metal thio­phosphate, Nb(1.18)V(0.82)PS(10) (niobium vanadium phospho­rus deca­sulfide), has been prepared though solid state reactions using an alkali-metal halide flux. The title compound is isostructural with two-dimensional Nb(2)PS(10). [M (2)S(12)] (M = Nb or V) dimers built up from two bicapped trigonal prisms and tetra­hedral [PS(4)] units share sulfur atoms to construct (1) (∞)[M (2)PS(10)] chains along the a axis. These chains are linked through the di­sulfide bonds between [PS(4)] units in adjacent chains to form layers parallel to the ab plane. These layers then stack on top of each other to complete the three-dimensional structure with van der Waals gaps. The M sites are occupied by 59% of Nb and 41% of V and the average M—S and M—M distances in the title compound are in between those of V(2)PS(10) and Nb(2)PS(10). The classical charge balance of the title compound can be represented by [(Nb/V)(4+)](2)[P(5+)][S(2−)](3)[S(−)](7).