H-type Ce2[Si2O7]

The title compound, dicerium(III) oxidodisilicate, Ce 2 [Si 2 O 7 ], was obtained as a by-product in its H -type structure after attempts to synthesize CeSb 2 O 4 Cl from fused silica ampoules. It crystallizes isotypically with H -La 2 [Si 2 O 7 ]. The four crystallographically distinct Ce III cations form distorted square antiprisms, capped square antiprisms, and bicapped square antiprisms as coordination polyhedra consisting of oxygen atoms. Four crystallographically different silicon atoms recruit the centers of two different isolated [Si 2 O 7 ] 6– units.