X-Ray Crystal Structure of [Rh(OH2)6](ClO4)3.3H2O

The crystal structure of [Rh(OH2)6](ClO4)3.3H2O has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and found to be isomorphous with that of M(ClO4)2.6H2O (M= Fe, Zn, Mn, Co, Ni) and LiClO4.3H2O. Crystal: are hexagonal, space group P63 mc with unit cell dimensions a 7.817(2) and c 5.208(1) Å. The lattice consists of a uniform arrangement of H2O and ClO4- groups with the RhIII centre occupying 1/3 of the octahedral sites formed by the H2O groups. The RhIII is not situated at the centre of the octahedron. However, the two Rh-O distances [2.128(6) and 2.136(6) Å] may be considered identical, i.e. within the errors.