LiM2(NCN)Br3 (M = Sr,Eu): Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Solid‐State Carbodiimides with Empty Tetrahedral Metal Entities

Two solid‐state carbodiimide compounds, LiM₂(NCN)Br₃ (M = Sr, Eu), with characteristic empty tetrahedral M₄ entities have been synthesized using a flux route, and their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The new phases LiSr₂(NCN)Br₃ and LiEu₂(NCN)Br₃ are isotypical with the corresponding iodides and crystallize in the cubic system (( , Z = 16) but with smaller unit cells (a = 14.641(1) Å for LiSr₂(NCN)Br₃ and 14.572(1) Å for LiEu₂(NCN)Br₃). The extended structures comprise two interpenetrating three‐dimensional networks: the first one is built from isolated M₄ tetrahedra capped by NCN^2? anions on their triangular faces while the second is made from vertex‐sharing LiBr₆ octahedra. The linear NCN^2? anions exhibit the symmetrical carbodiimide shape and serve as linkers between the tetrahedral entities.