Bis(N,N,N-trimethyl-ethanaminium) bis-(1,4-tetra-selenido-κSe,Se)cadmate.

The title compound, (EtMe(3)N)(2)[Cd(Se(4))(2)], which has been prepared by reaction of CdI(2), K(2)Se(4) and EtMe(3)NI in dimethyl-formamide, is the first example of a [Cd(Se(4))(2)](2-) anion stabilized by alkyl-ammonium counter-ions. The Cd atom in the complex [Cd(Se(4))(2)](2-) anion is tetra-hedrally coordinated by two chelating tetra-selenide ligands, and both CdSe(4) rings exhibit an envelope conformation.