Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2013
The structure of Ba7Cl2F12 has been determined ab initio from conventional X-ray powder diffraction data by the “heavy atom” method. The cell is hexagonal (space group P6¯, Z=1), with a=10.6373(2) Å and c=4.1724(2) Å. Refinement of 38 parameters by the Rietveld method, using 278 reflections, leads to cRwp=0.173, cRp=0.135, and RB=0.054. The structure has common characteristics with that of the other BaF2-rich fluorochloride, Ba12Cl5F19. In both phases Ba2+ ions lie in tricapped trigonal prisms formed by nine halide ions, and Cl− ions occupy the center of trigonal prisms of Ba2+ ions. F− ions are located in cationic tetrahedra or square pyramids.