Redetermination of Hg₂I₂

The crystal structure of mercurous iodide, Hg₂I₂, has been determined previously from X-ray powder diffraction data [Havighurst (1926). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 48, 2113-2125]. The results of the current redetermination based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data provide more precise geometrical data and also anisotropic displacement parameters for the Hg and I atoms, which are both situated on positions with site-symmetry 4mm. The structure consists of linear dimers I-Hg-Hg-I extending along the c axis with an Hg-Hg distance of 2.5903 (13) Å. The overall coordination sphere of the Hg⁺ atom is a considerably distorted octa­hedron. The crystal specimen under investigation was twinned by non-merohedry with a refined twin domain fraction of 0.853 (14):0.147 (14).