Two-dimensional polymeric [Hg(4)(μ(2)-I)(6)I(2)(μ(2)-C(4)S(6))](n)

The title compound, poly[(μ(2)-2H,5H-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-d][1,3]di-thiole-2,5-dithione)hexa-μ(2)-iodido-diiodidotetra-mercury(II)], [Hg(4)I(8)(C(4)S(6))](n), represents the first example of a coordination polymer assembled by the α,α-C(4)S(6) dithione ligand. The Hg(II) ions are four-coordinated in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry, the coordination demand being satisfied either by four bridging iodide ligands or by three iodide ligands (one terminal and two bridging) and a thio-carbonyl S atom. Due to the bridging nature of the dithione ligand, the coordination polymer has a two-dimensional structure, built up of undulated layers parallel to (001). There is an inversion center at the mid-point of the central C=C double bond.