Abstract: | The Gadolinium Carbide Halides, Gd4C2X3 (X = Cl, Br) The compounds Gd4C2X3 (X = Cl, Br) and Tb4C2Br3 have been prepared by reaction of the metals (RE), REX3, and C in sealed Ta capsules at 1 100° and 1 300°C, respectively. Monophasic samples of Gd4C2Br3 and Tb4C2Br3 were obtained by reacting stoichiometric mixtures of the starting materials for five days. The needle shaped crystals are bronze-coloured and sensitive to air and moisture. Gd4C2X3 crystallizes in the space group Pnma (No. 62) with lattice constants a = 1 059.6(4), b = 368.4(1), c = 1 962.7(8) pm (Gd4C2Cl3), a = 1 084.4(1), b = 373.0(1), c = 2 036.1(1) pm (Gd4C2Br3). According to Guinier photographs, Tb4C2Br3 is isotypic (a = 1 074.3(2), b = 370.6(1), c = 2 019.4(1) pm). In the crystal structure C is octahedrally coordinated by Gd. The Gd6 octahedra are linked via common edges to form corrugated layers. The X-anions coordinate all free edges and corners of these layers and connect them via Xi? Xi contacts parallel 001]. Gd4C2Br3 shows metallic conductivity. The magnetic susceptibility follows at high temperatures a Curie Weiss law with an effective moment of 7.95 μB. At temperatures below 50 K antiferromagnetic order is observed. |