Synthesis and Characterization of Gd 2 [Pt 2 (SO 4 ) 4 (HSO 4 ) 2 ](HSO 4 ) 2

Red single crystals of Gd 2 [Pt 2 (SO 4 ) 4 (HSO 4 ) 2 ](HSO 4 ) 2 (triclinic, $P{\bar 1}$ , Z = 1, a = 844.02(9), b = 908.50(9), c = 939.49(8) pm, α = 107.73(1)°, β = 112.10(1)°, γ = 103.53(1)°) were obtained by the reaction of [Gd(NO 3 )(H 2 O) 7 ][PtCl 6 ]·4H 2 O with sulfuric acid at 320 °C in a sealed glass ampoule. In the crystal structure, Pt 2 dumbbells are coordinated by four chelating sulfate groups and two monodentate hydrogensulfate ions. Two further HSO 4 − ions are not bonded to the Pt 2 dumbbell. The Gd 3+ ions are eightfold coordinated by oxygen atoms. The IR data of Gd 2 [Pt 2 (SO 4 ) 4 (HSO 4 ) 2 ](HSO 4 ) 2 are typical for these type of compounds. The thermal decomposition of the compound leads to elemental platinum and Gd 2 O 3 .