Single Crystals of C–La2Se3, C–Pr2Se3, and C–Gd2Se3 with Cation‐Deficient Th3P4‐Type Structure

Ruby‐red, bead‐shaped single crystals of C‐type La₂Se₃ (a = 905.21(6) pm), Pr₂Se₃ (a = 891.17(6) pm), and Gd₂Se₃ (a = 872.56(5) pm) are obtained by oxidation of the respective rare‐earth metal (M = La, Pr and Gd) with selenium (molar ratio 2 : 3) in evacuated silica tubes at 750 °C in the presence of fluxing CsCl within seven days. Their crystal structure belongs to a cation‐deficient Th₃P₄‐type variant (cubic, I 4 3d) according to M_2.667□_0.333Se₄ (Z = 4) or M₂Se₃ (Z = 5.333) offering coordination numbers of eight (Se^2– arranged as trigonal dodecahedra) to the M³⁺ cations. In spite of the high Cs⁺ activity in molten CsCl, no cesium incorporation into the M_5.333□_0.667Se₈‐frame structure (e. g. as CsM₅Se₈ with Z = 2) could be achieved, judged from both results of electron beam X‐ray microanalyses and refined occupation factors of the metal position very close to x = 8/9 for M_3xSe₄.