H-type Ce₂[Si₂O₇]

The title compound, dicerium(III) oxidodisilicate, Ce₂[Si₂O₇], was obtained as a by-product in its H-type structure after attempts to synthesize CeSb₂O₄Cl from fused silica ampoules. It crystallizes isotypically with H-La₂[Si₂O₇]. The four crystallographically distinct Ce^III cations form distorted square anti-prisms, capped square anti-prisms, and bicapped square anti-prisms as coordination polyhedra consisting of oxygen atoms. Four crystallographically different silicon atoms recruit the centers of two different isolated [Si₂O₇]^6- units.