Synthesis and crystal growth of microcrystals of the cubic and new orthorhombic polymorphs of (NH4)2SnCl6

Ammonium hexachlorostannate single crystals were obtained from gas phase of decomposition products of SnCl 4 ·5NH 3 formed in reaction of liquid tin(IV) chloride with gaseous ammonia. The crystals of both cubic (NH 4 ) 2 SnCl 6 , obtained hitherto only by crystallization from solution, and of the formerly unknown orthorhombic polymorph were deposited on inner walls of the quartz reactor used. The values of the structure refinement factor R obtained is 0.01. Unit cell parameters of the new orthorhombic form of ammonium hexachlorostannate were determined and are reported.