SrPtIn,Sr2Pt3In4, and Ca2Au3In4 – Alkaline Earth Compounds with Complex Three-Dimensional [PtIn], [Pt3In4], and [Au3In4] Polyanions

Single phase SrPtIn, Sr₂Pt₃In₄ and Ca₂Au₃In₄ were prepared by high-frequency melting of the elements in water-cooled glassy carbon crucibles. X-ray diffraction of powders and single crystals yielded Pnma, oP12, a = 758.57(9) pm, b = 451.52(6) pm, c = 846.0(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0937, 467 F² values, 20 variables for SrPtIn, P62m, hP36, a = 1465.9(2) pm, c = 448.24(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0722, 1059 F² values, 44 variables for Sr₂Pt₃In₄ and Pnma, oP36, a = 1463.6(4) pm, b = 443.23(9) pm, c = 1272.3(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0694, 1344 F² values, 56 variables for Ca₂Au₃In₄. SrPtIn adopts the TiNiSi type structure. The indium atoms have a distorted tetrahedral platinum coordination. These InPt_4/4 tetrahedra are edge- and corner-shared, forming a three-dimensional [PtIn] polyanion in which the strontium atoms are embedded. Sr₂Pt₃In₄ crystallizes with the Hf₂Co₄P₃ type structure with the more electronegative platinum atoms occupying the phosphorus sites while the indium atoms are located on the cobalt positions. Ca₂Au₃In₄ is a new site occupancy variant of the YCo₅P₃ type. Gold atoms occupy the phosphorus sites and indium the cobalt sites, but one cobalt site is occupied by calcium atoms leading to the composition Ca₂Au₃In₄. Common geometrical motifs of both structures are condensed, platinum(gold)-centered trigonal prisms formed by the alkaline earth and indium atoms. The platinum (gold) and indium atoms form complex three-dimensional [Pt₃In₄] and [Au₃In₄] polyanions, respectively. The alkaline earth cations are located in distorted hexagonal tubes.     

Infinite Gold Zig‐Zag Chains as Structural Motif in Ca3Au3In – A Ternary Ordered Variant of the Ni4B3 Type

New auride Ca₃Au₃In was synthesized from the elements in a sealed tantalum tube in a high‐frequency furnace. Ca₃Au₃In was investigated by X‐ray powder and single crystal diffraction: ordered Ni₄B₃ type, Pnma, a = 1664.1(6), b = 457.3(2), c = 895.0(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0488, 1361 F² values, and 44 variables. The three crystallographically independent boron positions of the Ni₄B₃ type are occupied by the gold atoms, while the four nickel sites are occupied by calcium and indium in an ordered manner. All gold atoms have trigonal prismatic coordination, i.e. Ca₆ prisms for Au1 and Au2 and Ca₄In₂ prisms for Au3. While the Au3 atoms are isolated, we observe Au1–Au1 and Au2–Au2 zig‐zag chains at Au–Au distances of 292 and 284 pm. These slabs resemble the CrB type structure of CaAu. Consequently Ca₃Au₃In can be considered as a ternary auride. Together the Au2, Au3 and indium atoms build up a three‐dimensional [Au₂In] polyanionic network (281–293 pm Au–In) in which the chains of Au1 centered trigonal prisms are embedded. The crystal chemical similarities with the structures of Ni₄B₃, CaAuIn, and CaAu are discussed.     

Platinum‐Indium Polyanions in the Structures of LaPtIn4 and LnPtIn3 (Ln = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm) and Structure Refinement of Ce2Pt2In

The title compounds were prepared by reacting the elements in an arc‐melting furnace and subsequent annealing. The LaRuSn₃ type structure of the new compounds LnPtIn₃ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) was refined from single crystal X‐ray data for LaPtIn₃: Pm3n, a = 980.4(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0271, 399 F² values, 15 variables. Striking structural motifs of LaPtIn₃ are condensed distorted trigonal [PtIn₆] prisms with Pt–In distances of 269 pm. The lanthanum atoms occupy large cavities within the polyhedral network. Besides Pt–In bonding In–In bonding also plays an important role in LaPtIn₃ with In–In distances of 299 and 327 pm. The La1 position is occupied only to 91%, resulting in a composition La_0.98(1)PtIn₃. The La1 atoms show an extremely large displacement parameter indicating a rattling of these atoms in the In₁₂ cages. The so far most indium rich compound in the ternary system lanthanum‐platinum‐indium is LaPtIn₄ which was characterized on the basis of Guinier powder data: YNiAl₄‐type, Cmcm, a = 455.1(2) pm, b = 1687.5(5) pm, and c = 738.3(2) pm. The platinum atoms in LaPtIn₄ center trigonal prisms with the composition [La₂In₄]. Together with the indium atoms the platinum atoms form a complex three‐dimensional [PtIn₄] polyanion in which the lanthanum atoms occupy large hexagonal tubes. The structure of Ce₂Pt₂In is confirmed: Mo₂FeB₂‐type, P4/mbm, a = 779.8(1) pm, c = 388.5(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0466, 433 F² values, 12 parameters. It is built up from CsCl and AlB₂ related slabs with the compositions CeIn and CePt₂, respectively. Chemical bonding in the [PtIn₃] and [PtIn₄] polyanions of LaPtIn₃ and LaPtIn₄ is discussed.     

Ca3Ni8In4—An Ordered Noncentrosymmetric Variant of the BaLi4 Type

The title compound was synthesized by reacting the elements in an arc-melting apparatus under purified argon and subsequent annealing at 870 K. Ca₃Ni₈In₄ was investigated using X-ray diffraction on both powders and single crystals: P6₃mc, a=898.9(1) pm, c=752.2(2) pm, wR2=0.0591, 327 F² values, and 35 parameters. This structure is an ordered, noncentrosymmetric variant of the BaLi₄ type. The nickel and indium atoms build a complex three-dimensional [Ni₈In₄] polyanion in which the calcium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. To a first approximation the formula may be written as (3 Ca²⁺)⁶⁺ [Ni₈In₄]⁶⁻. Within the polyanion the Ni1, Ni3, and Ni4 atoms form one-dimensional cluster units which extend in the c direction while the Ni2 atoms have only indium neighbors in a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The Ni–Ni distances in the cluster range from 241 to 266 pm. The cluster units are surrounded and interconnected by indium atoms. The group– subgroup relation from centrosymmetric BaLi₄ to noncentrosymmetric Ca₃Ni₈In₄ is presented. Chemical bonding in Ca₃Ni₈In₄ and the structural relation with Lu₃Co_7.77Sn₄, Ca₃Au_6.61Ga_4.39, and Co₂Al₅ is briefly discussed.     

Gd3Pt4In12 and Tb3Pt4In12 — New Ternary Indides with Condensed Distorted [PtIn6] Trigonal Prisms

The ternary indium compounds Gd₃Pt₄In₁₂ and Tb₃Pt₄In₁₂ were synthesized from an indium flux. Arc‐melted precursor alloys with the starting compositions ∼GdPtIn₄ and ∼TbPtIn₄ were annealed with a slight excess of indium at 1200 K followed by slow cooling (5 K/h) to 870 K. Both compounds were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction: a = 990.5(1), c = 1529.5(3) pm for Gd₃Pt₄In₁₂ and a = 988.65(9), c = 1524.0(1) pm for Tb₃Pt₄In₁₂. The structure of the gadolinium compound was solved and refined from single crystal X‐ray data: P3¯m1, wR2 = 0.0470, 1469 F² values and 62 variable parameters. Both crystallographically different platinum sites have a slightly distorted trigonal prismatic indium coordination. These [PtIn₆] prisms are condensed via common edges and corners forming a complex three‐dimensional [Pt₁₂In₃₂] network. The gadolinium, In1 and In7 atoms fill cavities within this polyanion. Tb₃Pt₄In₁₂ is isotypic with the gadolinium compound.     

New Indium‐Rich Compounds EuRhIn2 and EuRh2In8

EuRhIn₂ and EuRh₂In₈ were obtained by reacting the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace in a water‐cooled quartz glass sample chamber. Both indides were investigated by X‐ray powder and single crystal techniques: Cmcm, oC16, a = 432.2(1), b = 1058.8(1), c = 805.5(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0393, 471 F ² values, 16 variables for EuRhIn₂ and Pbam, oP44, a = 1611.8(2), b = 1381.7(2), c = 436.44(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0515, 1592 F ² values, 70 variables for EuRh₂In₈. EuRhIn₂ adopts the MgCuAl₂ type structure and may be considered as a rhodium filled variant of the binary Zintl phase EuIn₂. The indium substructure is homeotypic to the lonsdaleite type. Within the three‐dimensional [RhIn₂] polyanion the strongest bonding interactions occur for the Rh–In contacts followed by In–In. EuRh₂In₈ is the first indide with CaCo₂Al₈ type structure. The rhodium atoms have a trigonal prismatic indium coordination and the indium atoms form distorted indium centered InIn₈ cubes and InIn₁₀ pentagonal prisms with In–In distances ranging from 288 to 348 pm. Again, the rhodium and indium atoms together build a complex three‐dimensional [Rh₂In₈] polyanion in which the europium atoms are located within distorted pentagonal channels. Chemical bonding in EuRhIn₂ and EuRh₂In₈ is briefly discussed.     

A Further Extension of Pnictide Oxide Chemistry – Synthesis and Structure of La2AuP2O

The phosphide oxide La₂AuP₂O was synthesized from lanthanum filings, dried La₂O₃, gold pieces, and ground red phosphorus in the ideal 1.33:0.33:1:2 ratio in an evacuated silica tube at 1473 K. Small single crystals were obtained by recrystallization in a NaCl/KCl flux. The structure was determined on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: new type, C2/m, a = 1537.3(3), b = 427.39(8), c = 1009.2(2) pm, β = 131.02(1) °, wR₂ = 0.046, 1102 F² values, 38 variables. La₂AuP₂O contains two striking structural motifs: The oxygen atoms are located in La₄ tetrahedra. The latter are cis‐edge‐shared forming polymeric cationic [La₂O]⁴⁺ chains. These cationic units are separated and charge‐balanced by [AuP₂]^4– polyanions which have monovalent gold in distorted trigonal planar phosphorus coordination. Two crystallographically independent phosphorus sites occur in the polyanion, i.e. isolated P^3– besides dumb‐bells P₂^4– (P2–P2 223 pm). La₂AuP₂O, which crystallizes in the form of ruby red transparent crystals, is an electron precise phosphide oxide (4La³⁺)(2Au⁺)(2P^3–)(P₂^4–)(2O^2–).     

CaRhIn with TiNiSi Type Structure and CaTIn2 (T = Rh,Ir) with a New Filled Version of the Zintl Phase CaIn2

CaRhIn, CaRhIn₂, and CaIrIn₂ were synthesized by reacting the elements in glassy carbon crucibles under an argon atmosphere in a high‐frequency furnace. CaRhIn adopts the TiNiSi structure: Pnma, a = 730.0(4) pm, b = 433.1(2) pm, c = 828.8(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0707, 630 F² values, 20 variables. The CaRhIn structure consists of strongly puckered Rh₃In₃ hexagons with Rh–In distances ranging from 273 to 276 pm. Due to the strong puckering each rhodium atom has a distorted tetrahedral indium environment. The calcium atoms fill the channels within the three‐dimensional [RhIn] polyanion. CaRhIn₂ and CaIrIn₂ crystallize with a new structure type: Pnma, a = 1586.2(3) pm, b = 781.4(2) pm, c = 570.9(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0385, 1699 F² values, 44 variables for CaRhIn₂, and Pnma, a = 1588.7(3) pm, b = 780.8(1) pm, c = 574.0(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0475, 1661 F² values, 44 variables for CaIrIn₂. The structures of CaRhIn₂ and CaIrIn₂ can be described as an orthorhombically distorted rhodium respectively iridium filled CaIn₂. The motif of transition metal filling is similar to that found in MgCuAl₂ type compounds CaTIn₂ (T = Pd, Pt, Au) and SrTIn₂ (T = Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt), but constitute a different tiling. Semi‐empirical band structure calculations for CaRhIn and CaRhIn₂ reveal strong bonding In–In and Rh–In but weaker Ca–Rh and Ca–In interactions. Magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements of compact polycrystalline samples of CaRhIn₂ indicate weak Pauli paramagnetism and metallic conductivity with a room temperature value for the specific resistivity of 230 ± 50 μΩcm.     

Syntheses and Structures of RE4Pt10In21 (RE = La–Nd)

The isotypic indides RE₄Pt₁₀In₂₁ (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) were prepared by melting mixtures of the elements in an arc‐furnace under an argon atmosphere. Single crystals were synthesized in tantalum ampoules using special temperature modes. The four samples were studied by powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction: Ho₄Ni₁₀Ga₂₁ type, C2/m, a = 2305.8(2), b = 451.27(4), c = 1944.9(2) pm, β = 133.18(7)°, wR2 = 0.045, 2817 F² values, 107 variables for La₄Pt₁₀In₂₁, a = 2301.0(2), b = 448.76(4), c = 1941.6(2) pm, β = 133.050(8)°, wR2 = 0.056, 3099 F² values, 107 variables for Ce₄Pt₁₀In₂₁, a = 2297.4(2), b = 447.4(4), c = 1939.7(2) pm, β = 132.95(1)°, wR2 = 0.059, 3107 F² values, 107 variables for Pr₄Pt₁₀In₂₁, and a = 2294.7(4), b = 446.1(1), c = 1938.7(3) pm, β = 132.883(9)°, wR2 = 0.067, 2775 F² values, 107 variables for Nd₄Pt₁₀In₂₁. The 8j In2 positions of all structures have been refined with a split model. The In1 sites of the lanthanum and the cerium compound show small defects, leading to the refined composition La₄Pt₁₀In_20.966(6) and Ce₄Pt₁₀In_20.909(6) for the investigated crystals. The same position shows Pt/In mixing in the praseodymium and neodymium compound leading to the refined compositions Pr₄Pt_10.084(9)In_20.916(9) and Nd₄Pt_10.050(9)In_20.950(9). All platinum atoms have a tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination by rare‐earth metal and indium atoms. The shortest interatomic distances occur for Pt–In followed by In–In. Together, the platinum and indium atoms build up three‐dimensional [Pt₁₀In₂₁] networks in which the rare earth atoms fill distorted pentagonal tubes. The crystal chemistry of RE₄Pt₁₀In₂₁ is discussed and compared with the RE₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ indides and isotypic gallides.     

Ca3Au6.61Ga4.39 – A New Gallide with a Three‐Dimensional Gold–Gallium Network

Ca₃Au_6.61Ga_4.39 was synthesized by reacting the elements in a glassy carbon crucible under argon in a water‐cooled sample chamber in a high‐frequency furnace. The compound crystallizes with a new hexagonal structure type, space group P6₃/mmc: Z = 2, a = 926.6(2), c = 733.1(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0832, 328 F values and 20 variables. This structure type consists of a remarkably complex three‐dimensional [Au_6.61Ga_4.39] network with significant Au–Au, Au–Ga, and Ga–Ga interactions. The calcium atoms are located within slightly distorted hexagonal channels of the gold–gallium network. The structural relations to the AlB₂ and Er₂RhSi₃ type structures are discussed.     

Ternary Rare Earth (RE) Gold Compounds REAuCd and RE2Au2Cd

New intermetallic rare earth compounds REAuCd (RE = Y, La–Nd, Sm–Yb) and RE₂Au₂Cd (RE = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) were prepared by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. The equiatomic REAuCd compounds with RE = Y, La–Nd, Sm, and Gd–Tm adopt the ZrNiAl type structure with space group P62m. Single crystal X‐ray data yielded a = 786.2(2), c = 415.9(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0337, 402 F² values for LaAuCd and a = 782.91(9), c = 410.01(5) pm, wR2 = 0.0653, 395 F² values for CeAuCd with 14 parameters for each refinement. Geometrical motifs in CeAuCd are two types of gold centered tricapped trigonal prisms: [Au1Cd₃Ce₆] and [Au2Cd₆Ce₃]. The gold and cadmium atoms form a three‐dimensional [AuCd] polyanion in which the cerium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. EuAuCd and YbAuCd crystallize with a TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma: a = 755.2(1), b = 450.59(5), c = 878.6(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0904, 500 F² values for EuAuCd, and a = 731.64(3), b = 432.94(2), c = 875.80(4) pm, wR2 = 0.1192, 457 F² values for YbAuCd with 20 parameters for each refinement. In these structures the europium(ytterbium) and cadmium atoms form zig‐zag chains of egde‐ and face‐sharing trigonal prisms which are centered by the gold atoms. Also in EuAuCd and YbAuCd a three‐dimensional [AuCd] polyanion occurs in which the europium(ytterbium) atoms are embedded. Europium and ytterbium are divalent in EuAuCd and YbAuCd. Susceptibility measurements show Pauli paramagnetism for YbAuCd and Curie‐Weiss behavior above 100 K for EuAuCd with an experimental magnetic moment of 7.86(6) μ_B/Eu. Ferromagnetic ordering is detected at 28 K. The saturation magnetic moment is 7.1(1) μ_B/Eu at 1.9 K. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectra show an isomer shift of –9.2(2) mm/s and full magnetic hyperfine field splitting at 4.2 K with an internal hyperfine field of 19.5(4) T at the europium nuclei. The RE₂Au₂Cd compounds crystallize with the Mo₂FeB₂ structure, a ternary ordered version of the U₃Si₂ type. These structures may be considered as an intergrowth of distorted CsCl and AlB₂ related slabs of compositions RECd and REAu₂. Chemical bonding in REAuCd and RE₂Au₂Cd is briefly discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of the scandium‐rich indides Sc5Ni2In4 and Sc5Rh2In4

The ternary indides Sc₅ Ni₂ In₄ and Sc₅ Rh₂ In₄ were synthesized by arc‐melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. A structural investigation by X‐ray powder and single crystal diffraction revealed: Lu₅ Ni₂ In₄ type, Pbam, a = 1716.3(2), b = 755.1(1), c = 335.22(5) pm, wR2 = 0.0721, 844 F² values for Sc₅ Ni₂ In₄, and a = 1754.3(3), b = 765.0(1), c = 332.97(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0363, 1107 F² values for Sc₅ Rh₂ In₄ with 36 variables per refinement. Both structures can be described as intergrowths of distorted AlB₂‐ and CsCl‐related slabs, where the transition metal (T) atoms have a trigonal prismatic and the indium atoms a distorted square prismatic coordination. The shortest interatomic distances occur for Sc T and T In. The crystal chemistry and chemical bonding in these intermetallics are briefly discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:364–368, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20106     

[{Cp(CO)3Mo}4In4(PSiMe3)4], Ein metallorganisch substituiertes In4P4-Heterokuban

[{Cp(CO)₃Mo}₄In₄(PSiMe₃)₄], an Organometallic In₄P₄-Heterocubane [{Cp(CO)₃Mo}InCl₂] reacts with P(SiMe₃)₃ in THF as solvent to form [{Cp(CO)₃Mo}₄In₄(PSiMe₃)₄] 1. 1 crystallizes in the space group P1 . The lattice constants (at 208 K) are: a = 1 770.1(6), b = 1 490.3(6), c = 1 317.5(6) pm, α = 76.59(4),β = 88.54(3), γ = 88.98(3)°. According to the crystal structure analysis, 1 contains a slightly distorted In₄P₄-core with an alternating arrangement of In and P atoms. The In atoms are coordinated roughly tetrahedrally by three PSiMe₃ groups (In–P: 256.9(3)–262.3(3) pm) and a {Cp(CO)₃Mo} substituent (In? Mo: 278.0(2)–279.5(3) pm).     

Intermetallic Gold Compounds REAuMg (RE = Y,La–Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd–Yb)

New intermetallic rare earth compounds REAuMg (RE = Y, La–Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd–Yb) were synthesized by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. Some structures were refined on the basis of single crystal data. The compounds with Y, La–Nd, Sm, and Gd–Tm adopt the ZrNiAl type structure with space group P62m: a = 770.8(2), c = 419.5(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0269, 261 F² values for PrAuMg, a = 750.9(2), c = 407.7(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0561, 649 F² values for HoAuMg with 15 variables for each refinement. Geometrical motifs in HoAuMg are two types of gold centered trigonal prisms: [Au1Mg₃Ho₆] and [Au2Mg₆Ho₃]. The gold and magnesium atoms form a three‐dimensional [AuMg] polyanion in which the holmium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. The magnesium positions show a small degree of magnesium/gold mixing resulting in the refined compositions PrAu_1.012(2)Mg_0.988(2) and HoAu_1.026(3)Mg_0.974(3). EuAuMg and YbAuMg contain divalent europium and ytterbium, respectively. Both compounds crystallize with the TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma: a = 760.6(3), b = 448.8(2), c = 875.8(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0491, 702 F² values, 22 variables for EuAuMg, and a = 738.4(1), b = 436.2(1), c = 864.6(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0442, 451 F² values, and 20 variables for YbAuMg. The europium position shows a small degree of europium/magnesium mixing, and the magnesium site a slight magnesium/gold mixing leading to the refined composition Eu_0.962(3)Au_1.012(3)Mg_1.026(3). No mixed occupancies were found in YbAuMg where all sites are fully occupied. In these structures the europium(ytterbium) and magnesium atoms form zig‐zag chains of egde‐sharing trigonal prisms which are centered by the gold atoms. As is typical for TiNiSi type compounds, also in EuAuMg and YbAuMg a three‐dimensional [AuMg] polyanion occurs in which the europium(ytterbium) atoms are embedded. The degree of distortion of the two polyanions, however, is different.     

Sc4Pt7Si2 – An Intergrowth Structure of ScPtSi and ScPt Related Slabs

The metal‐rich silicide Sc₄Pt₇Si₂ was synthesized by arc‐melting. Sc₄Pt₇Si₂ crystallizes with its own structure type, space group Pbam. The structure was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: a = 647.6(1), b = 1617.1(3), c = 398.96(9) pm, wR2 = 0.0495, 807 F² values and 42 variables. Sc₄Pt₇Si₂ is an intergrowth structure of slightly distorted ScPtSi (TiNiSi type) and ScPt (CsCl type) related slabs. The silicon atoms have the typical coordination number 9 (4 Sc + 5 Pt) in the form of a tricapped trigonal prism. Together, the platinum and silicon atoms build up a complex three‐dimensional [Pt₇Si₂] network with short Pt–Si (238–246 pm) and Pt–Pt (282–303 pm) distances. The scandium atoms fill distorted square prismatic or pentagonal prismatic voids within this network, also with short Sc–Pt distances (276–308 pm). The structural difference of these two scandium species is reflected by substantial discrepancies in ⁴⁵Sc chemical shifts. The quadrupolar interaction parameters that were estimated from the nutation behavior of the two signals were used for an assignment to the two sites.     

Ternary Indides RE4Pd10In21 (RE = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm) — Synthesis,Structure, and Physical Properties

The ternary indium compounds RE₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) were synthesized from the elements in glassy carbon crucibles in a high‐frequency furnace. Single crystals of Sm₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ were obtained from an indium flux. An arc‐melted precursor alloy of the starting composition ～SmPd₃In₆ was annealed with a slight excess of indium at 1200 K followed by slow cooling (5 K/h) to 870 K. All compounds were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction and the structures were refined from single crystal diffractometer data. The RE₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ indides are isotypic with Ho₄Ni₁₀Ga₂₁, space group C2/m: a = 2314.3(2), b = 454.70(7), c = 1940.7(2) pm, β = 133.43(2)°, wR2 = 0.0681, 1678 F² values for La₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, a = 2308.2(1), b = 452.52(4), c = 1944.80(9) pm, β = 133.40(1)°, wR2 = 0.0659, 1684 F² values for Ce₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, a = 2303.8(2), b = 450.78(4), c = 1940.6(1) pm, β = 133.39(1)°, wR2 = 0.0513, 1648 F² values for Pr₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, a = 2300.2(2), b = 449.75(6), c = 1937.8(2) pm, β = 133.32(1)°, wR2 = 0.1086, 1506 F² values for Nd₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, and a = 2295.6(2), b = 447.07(4), c = 1935.7(1) pm, β = 133.16(1)°, wR2 = 0.2291, 2350 F² values for Sm₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, with 108 variables per refinement. All palladium atoms have a trigonal prismatic coordination. The strongest bonding interactions occur for the Pd—In and In—In contacts. The structures are composed of covalently bonded three‐dimensional [Pd₁₀In₂₁] networks in which the rare earth metal atoms fill distorted pentagonal channels. The crystal chemistry and chemical bonding in these indides is briefly discussed. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show diamagnetism for La₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ and Curie‐Weiss paramagnetism for Ce₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, Pr₄Pd₁₀In₂₁, and Nd₄Pd₁₀In₂₁. The neodymium compound orders antiferromagnetically at T_N = 4.5(2) K and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at a critical field of 1.5(2) T. All the RE₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ indides studied are metallic conductors.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur des Goldclusters [Au16(AsPh3)8Cl6]

Synthesis and Structures of the Gold Cluster [Au₁₆(AsPh₃)₈Cl₆] Reduction of Ph₃AsAuCl with NaBH₄ in ethanol yields the gold cluster [Au₁₆(AsPh₃)₈Cl₆]. It can be crystallized from dichloromethane/diisopropyl ether in form of dark red, light sensitive crystals with the space group P2₁/n and a = 1777.68(8), b = 3372.7(1), c = 2696.2(1)pm, β = 94.166(6)°, Z = 4). The inner skeleton of the 16 Au atoms consists of a centered icosahedron of which one of the corners binds to three additional Au atoms forming a tetrahedron pendent. The shortest Au–Au distances of 264.3 to 266.6 pm correspond to the bonds to the three external Au atoms. Within the icosahedron the distances between the central atom and the peripheral atoms (273.0–279.1 pm) are distinctly shorter than the distances between the peripheral atoms (283.6–299.0 pm).     

Gallium‐Indium Ordering in the Complex [Ni2Ga3In] Network of GdNi2Ga3In

Polycrystalline samples of the isotypic quaternary compounds RENi₂Ga₃In (RE = Y, Gd – Tm) were obtained by arc‐melting of the elements. Crystals of the gadolinium compound were found by slow cooling of an arc‐melted button of the initial composition “GdNiGa₃In”. All samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction. The structure of GdNi₂Ga_2.89In_1.11 was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: new type, Pnma, a = 2426.38(7), b = 418.17(2), c = 927.27(3) pm, wR₂ = 0.0430, 1610 F² values and 88 variables. Two of the six crystallographically independent gallium sites show a small degree of Ga/In mixing. The nickel atoms show tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination by gadolinium, gallium, and indium. Together, the nickel, gallium, and indium atoms build up a complex three‐dimensional [Ni₂Ga₃In]^δ– network, which leaves cages for the gadolinium atoms. The indium atoms form zigzag chains with In–In distances of 337 pm. The crystal chemical similarities of the polyhedral packing in the GdNi₂Ga₃In and La₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ structures are discussed.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of SrAu3In3 and EuAu3In3—New indides with gold zig-zag chains

New indides SrAu₃In₃ and EuAu₃In₃ were synthesized by induction melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. Both indides were characterized by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals. They crystallize with a new orthorhombic structure type: Pmmn, Z=2, a=455.26(9), b=775.9(2), c=904.9(2) pm, wR2=0.0425, 485 F² values for SrAu₃In₃ and a=454.2(2), b=768.1(6), c=907.3(6) pm, wR2=0.0495, 551 F² values for EuAu₃In₃ with 26 variables for each refinement. The gold and indium atoms build up three-dimensional [Au₃In₃] polyanionic networks, which leave distorted hexagonal channels for the strontium and europium atoms. Within the networks one observes Au2 atoms without Au-Au contacts and gold zig-zag chains (279 pm Au1-Au1 in EuAu₃In₃). The Au-In and In-In distances in EuAu₃In₃ range from 270 to 290 and from 305 to 355 pm. The europium atoms within the distorted hexagonal channels have coordination number 14 (8 Au+6 In). EuAu₃In₃ shows Curie-Weiss behavior above 50 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 8.1(1) μB/Eu atom. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectra show a single signal at δ=−11.31(1) mm/s, compatible with divalent europium. No magnetic ordering was detected down to 3 K.     

Semiconducting La2AuP3, the Metallic Conductor Ce2AuP3, and other Rare‐Earth Gold Phosphides Ln2AuP3 with Two Closely Related Crystal Structures

The compounds Ln₂AuP₃ were synthesized by reaction of the elemental components in evacuated silica tubes. Their crystal structures were determined from single‐crystal diffractometer data. The compounds with Ln = La, Ce, and Pr crystallize with an orthorhombic U₂NiC₃ type structure (Pnma, Z = 4). The structure refinement for Ce₂AuP₃ resulted in a = 774.14(6) pm, b = 421.11(4) pm, c = 1612.3(1) pm, R = 0.019 for 1410 structure factors and 38 variable parameters. For Pr₂AuP₃ a residual of R = 0.024 was obtained. Nd₂AuP₃ crystallizes with a monoclinic distortion of this structure: P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 416.14(4) pm, b = 768.87(6) pm, c = 1647.1(2) pm, β = 104.06(1)°, R = 0.022 for 1361 F values and 56 variables. The near‐neighbor coordinations of the two structures are nearly the same. In both structures the gold and phosphorus atoms form two‐dimensionally infinite nets, where the gold atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated by phosphorus atoms with Au–P distances varying between 245.8 and 284.2 pm. Two thirds of the phosphorus atoms form pairs with single‐bond distances varying between 217.7 and 218.9 pm. Thus, using oxidation numbers the structures can be rationalized with the formulas (Ln⁺³)₂[AuP₃]^–6 and (Ln⁺³)₂Au⁺¹(P₂)^–4P^–3. Accordingly, La₂AuP₃ is a diamagnetic semiconductor. Pr₂AuP₃ is semiconducting with an antiferromagnetic ground state, showing metamagnetism with a critical field of B_c = 0.5(± 0.1) T. In contrast, the cerium compound is a metallic conductor, even though its cell volume indicates that the cerium atoms are essentially trivalent, as is also suggested by the ferro‐ or ferrimagnetic behavior of the compound.