Redetermination of the crystal structure of K(2)Hg(SCN)(4)

Single crystals of K(2)Hg(SCN)(4) [dipotassium tetra­thio­cyanato­mercurate(II)] were grown from aqueous solutions of potassium thio­cyanate and mercury(II) thio­cyanate and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In comparison with the previously reported structure model [Zvonkova (1952 ▸). Zh. Fiz. Khim. 26, 1798–1803], all atoms in the crystal structure were located, with lattice parameters and fractional coordinates determined to a much higher precision. In the (crystal) structure, the Hg(II) atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated in the form of a distorted tetra­hedron by four S atoms of the thio­cyanate anions. The K(+) cation shows a coordination number of eight.