Darstellung und Kristallstrukturen von Ln2Al3Si2 und Ln2AlSi2 (Ln: Y,Tb–Lu)

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Ln ₂Al₃Si₂ and Ln ₂AlSi₂ ( Ln : Y, Tb–Lu) Eight new ternary aluminium silicides were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements and investigated by means of single‐crystal X‐ray methods. Tb₂Al₃Si₂ (a = 10.197(2), b = 4.045(1), c = 6.614(2) Å, β = 101.11(2)°) and Dy₂Al₃Si₂ (a = 10.144(6), b = 4.028(3), c = 6.580(6) Å, β = 101.04(6)°) crystallize in the Y₂Al₃Si₂ type structure, which contains wavy layers of Al and Si atoms linked together by additional Al atoms and linear Si–Al–Si bonds. Through this there are channels along [010], which are filled by Tb and Dy atoms respectively. The silicides Ln₂AlSi₂ with Ln = Y (a = 8.663(2), b = 5.748(1), c = 4.050(1) Å), Ho (a = 8.578(2), b = 5.732(1), c = 4.022(1) Å), Er (a = 8.529(2), b = 5.719(2), c = 4.011(1) Å), Tm (a = 8.454(5), b = 5.737(2), c = 3.984(2) Å) and Lu (a = 8.416(2), b = 5.662(2), c = 4.001(1) Å) crystallize in the W₂CoB₂ type structure (Immm; Z = 2), whereas the structure of Yb₂AlSi₂ (a = 6.765(2), c = 4.226(1) Å; P4/mbm; Z = 2) corresponds to a ternary variant of the U₃Si₂ type structure. In all compounds the Si atoms are coordinated by trigonal prisms of metal atoms, which are connected by common faces so that Si₂ pairs (d_Si–Si: 2.37–2.42 Å) are formed.     

Sm2Si3O3N4 und Ln2Si2,5Al0,5O3,5N3,5 (Ln = Ce,Pr, Nd,Sm, Gd) – neuer synthetischer Zugang zu N‐haltigen Melilith‐Phasen und deren Einkristall‐Röntgenstrukturanalyse

Sm₂Si₃O₃N₄ and Ln₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) – A Novel Synthetic Approach for the Preparation of N‐containing Melilites and X‐Ray Single‐Crystal Structure Determination The high‐temperature synthesis of nitridosilicates using an especially developed rf furnace was now transferred to the preparation of single‐crystalline oxonitridosilicates and oxonitridoaluminosilicates (sialons). Sm₂Si₃O₃N₄ was obtained by the reaction of SrCO₃, Si(NH)₂, and the respective lanthanoides, for Ln₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) additionally AlN was used. The compounds were obtained as coarsely crystalline products. Their crystal structures were refined on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Sm₂Si₃O₃N₄ (a = 768.89(4), c = 499.60(4) pm) and the isotypic sialons Ce₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (a = 779.20(3), c = 506.94(4) pm), Pr₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (a = 778.26(4), c = 508.56(5) pm), Nd₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (a = 776.15(4), c = 506.7(3) pm), Sm₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (a = 772.63(13), c = 502.80(9) pm), and Gd₂Si_2.5Al_0.5O_3.5N_3.5 (a = 774.15(5), c = 506.46(4) pm) are new representatives of the N‐containing melilite structure type (space group P 4 2₁m (no. 113), Z = 2). For the structure analysis specific models were applied, which have been developed by Werner et al. on the basis of powder diffraction data.     

Charged Si9 Clusters in Neat Solids and the Detection of [H2Si9]2− in Solution: A Combined NMR,Raman, Mass Spectrometric,and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Polyanionic silicon clusters are provided by the Zintl phases K₄Si₄, comprising [Si₄]⁴⁻ units, and K₁₂Si₁₇, consisting of [Si₄]⁴⁻ and [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters. A combination of solid‐state MAS‐NMR, solution NMR, and Raman spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and quantum‐chemical investigations was used to investigate four‐ and nine‐atomic silicon Zintl clusters in neat solids and solution. The results were compared to ²⁹Si isotope‐enriched samples. ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman shifts of the phase‐pure solids K₄Si₄ and K₁₂Si₁₇ were interpreted by quantum‐chemical calculations. Extraction of [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters from K₁₂Si₁₇ with liquid ammonia/222crypt and their transfer to pyridine yields in a red solid containing Si₉ clusters. This compound was characterized by elemental and EDX analyses and ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Charged Si₉ clusters were detected by ²⁹Si NMR in solution. ²⁹Si and ¹H NMR spectra reveal the presence of the [H₂Si₉]²⁻ cluster anion in solution.     

Charged Si9 Clusters in Neat Solids and the Detection of [H2Si9]2− in Solution: A Combined NMR,Raman, Mass Spectrometric,and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Polyanionic silicon clusters are provided by the Zintl phases K₄Si₄, comprising [Si₄]⁴⁻ units, and K₁₂Si₁₇, consisting of [Si₄]⁴⁻ and [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters. A combination of solid‐state MAS‐NMR, solution NMR, and Raman spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and quantum‐chemical investigations was used to investigate four‐ and nine‐atomic silicon Zintl clusters in neat solids and solution. The results were compared to ²⁹Si isotope‐enriched samples. ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman shifts of the phase‐pure solids K₄Si₄ and K₁₂Si₁₇ were interpreted by quantum‐chemical calculations. Extraction of [Si₉]⁴⁻ clusters from K₁₂Si₁₇ with liquid ammonia/222crypt and their transfer to pyridine yields in a red solid containing Si₉ clusters. This compound was characterized by elemental and EDX analyses and ²⁹Si‐MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopy. Charged Si₉ clusters were detected by ²⁹Si NMR in solution. ²⁹Si and ¹H NMR spectra reveal the presence of the [H₂Si₉]²⁻ cluster anion in solution.     

The Sialons MLn[Si4−xAlxOxN7−x] with M = Eu,Sr, Ba and Ln = Ho‐Yb – Twelve Substitution Variants with the MYb[Si4N7] Structure Type

The oxonitridoalumosilicates (so‐called sialons) MLn[Si_4?xAl_xO_xN_7?x] with M = Eu, Sr, Ba and Ln =Ho, Er, Tm, Yb were obtained by the reaction of the respective lanthanoid metal, the alkaline earth carbonates or europium carbonate, resp., AlN, “Si(NH)₂” and MCl₂ as a flux in a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures around 2100 °C. The compounds MLn[Si_4?xAl_xO_xN_7?x] are relevant for the investigation of substitutional effects on the materials properties due to their ability of tolerating a comparatively large phase width up to x ≈ 2.0(5). The crystal structures of the twelve compounds were refined from X‐ray single crystal data and X‐ray powder data and are found to be isotypic to the MYb[Si₄N₇] structure type. The compounds crystallize in space group P6₃mc (no. 186, hexagonal) and are made up of chains of so‐called starlike units [N^[4](SiN₃)₄] or [N^[4]((Si,Al)(O,N)₃)₄], respectively. These units are formed by four (Si,Al)(N/O)₄ tetrahedra sharing a common central nitrogen atom. The structure refinement was performed utilizing an O/N‐distribution model according to Paulings rules, i.e. nitrogen was positioned on the four‐fold bridging site and nitrogen and oxygen were distributed equally on both of the two‐fold bridging sites, resulting in charge neutrality of the compound. The Si and Al atoms were distributed equally on their two crystallographic sites, referring to their elemental proportion in the compound, due to being poorly distinguishable by X‐ray methods. The chemical compositions of the compounds were derived from electron probe micro analyses (EPMA).     

Untersuchungen zum Existenzgebiet des CaAl2Si2-Strukturtyps bei ternären Siliciden

Investigations about the Stability Range of the CaAl₂Si₂ Type Structure in the Case of Ternary Silicides Five compounds LnAl₂Si₂ (Ln: trivalent rare-earth metal, Y) were synthesized by heating the elements at 800°–1000 °C. They are isotypic and crystallize in the CaAl₂Si₂ type structure (P 3 m1; Z = 1) (lattice constants see “Inhaltsübersicht”). The electronic structures (LMTO band structure calculations) of CaAl₂Si₂ and YAl₂Si₂, the latter one is in accordance to Ln³⁺(Al³⁺)₂(Si^4–)₂ not electrovalent, are discussed with regard to the bondings and the electrical conductivity respectively. Investigations of GdAl_2–xMn_xSi₂ mixed crystals showed, that the structure type already at low Mn content (x ≈ 0,3) changes from CaAl₂Si₂ (GdAl₂Si₂) to ThCr₂Si₂ type structure (GdMn₂Si₂).     

Tt‐Tt (Tt = Si,Ge) Dumb‐Bell Structures at Different Valence Electron Concentrations: Ln2MgSi2 (Ln = La,Ce), Yb2Li0.5Ge2, and Yb1.75Mg0.75Si2

The isostructural compounds Yb₂MgSi₂, La_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂, and Ce_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂, as well as Yb₂Li_0.5Ge₂ and Yb_1.75Mg_0.75Si₂, respectively, were synthesized from stoichiometric mixtures of the corresponding elements in sealed Nb‐ ampoules under argon atmosphere. The structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction: Yb₂MgSi₂ (P4/mbm (No. 127), a = 7.056(1), c = 4.130(1) ų, Z = 2), La_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂ (P4/mbm, a = 7.544(1), c = 4.464(1) ų, Z = 2), and Ce_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂ (P4/mbm, a = 7.425(1), c = 4.370(1) ų, Z = 2), Yb₂Li_0.5Ge₂ (Pnma (No. 62), a = 7.0601(6), b = 14.628(1), c = 7.6160(7) Å, V = 786.5ų, Z = 4), Yb_1.75Mg_0.75Si₂ (Pnma, a = 6.9796(1), b = 14.4009(1), c = 7.5357(1) Å, V = 757.43(2) ų, Z = 4). All compounds contain exclusively Tt‐Tt dumb‐bells (Tt = Si, Ge). The Si‐Si Zintl anions exhibit only very small variations of bond lengths which seem to be more due to cation matrix effects than to effective bond orders.     

The Zintl Phase Eu2Si

The Zintl phase Eu₂Si was synthesized from elemental europium and silicon in a sealed tantalum tube in a high‐frequency furnace at 1270 K and subsequent annealing at 970 K. Investigation of the sample by X‐ray powder and single crystal techniques revealed: Co₂Si (anti‐PbCl₂) type, space group Pnma, a = 783.0(1), b = 504.71(9), c = 937.8(1) pm, wR2 = 0.1193, 459 F² values and 20 variables. The structure contains two europium and one silicon site. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic data show a single signal at an isomer shift of −9.63(3) mm/s, compatible with divalent europium. Within the Zintl concept electron counting can be written as (2Eu²⁺)⁴⁺Si⁴⁻, in agreement with the absence of Si‐Si bonding. Each silicon atom has nine europium neighbors in the form of a tri‐capped trigonal prism. The silicon coordinations of the Zintl phases Eu₂Si, Eu₅Si₃, EuSi, and EuSi₂ are compared.     

Phase equilibria in the Sm–Al–Si system at 500 °C

The isothermal section at 500 °C of the Sm–Al–Si system has been experimentally investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. Four intermetallic compounds have been confirmed: τ₁-SmAl₂Si₂ (hP5-CaAl₂Si₂ type), τ₂-SmAl_xSi_1?x (tI12-Th₂Si type), τ₄-SmAl_0.5Si_0.5 (oS8-CrB type) and τ₅-Sm₆Al₃Si (tI80-Tb₆Al₃Si type). A new ternary intermediate has been found: τ₃-Sm₄Al₃Si₃ that crystallizes orthorhombic isostructural with Pr₄Al₃Ge₃.     

Structural Variations in the Solid‐Solution Series LnxCa2−xAl[Al1+xSi1−xO7] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and Ln = La,Eu, Er

Gehlenite, Ca₂Al[AlSiO₇], has melilite‐type structure with space group . It contains two topologically distinct positions coordinated tetrahedrally by oxygen. One is completely occupied by Al³⁺, whereas the other one contains Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺. Normally, the Al³⁺ molar fraction in the second tetrahedrally coordinated position does not exceed x_Al = 0.5, i.e. the so‐called Loewenstein‐rule is obeyed. In this contribution the structural variations in the melilite‐type compounds of the compositions La_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇], Eu_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] and Er_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] are discussed. All members of the solid solution except the end‐members violate Loewenstein's rule. Rietveld refinements against X‐ray powder diffraction patterns confirm that the compounds have space group , without changes in the Wyckoff‐positions of the ions compared to gehlenite.     

Neue Vertreter des Er6[Si11N20]O‐Strukturtyps Hochtemperatur‐Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen von Ln(6+x/3)[Si(11–y)AlyN(20+x–y)]O(1–x+y) mit Ln = Nd,Er, Yb,Dy und 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3

New Representatives of the Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O Structure Type. High‐Temperature Synthesis and Single‐Crystal Structure Refinement of Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) with Ln = Nd, Er, Yb, Dy and 0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3 According to the general formula Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) (0 ≤ x ≤ 3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 3) four nitridosilicates, namely Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O, Yb_6.081[Si₁₁N_20.234]O_0.757, Dy_0.33Sm₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]N, and Nd₇[Si₈Al₃N₂₀]O were synthesized in a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures between 1300 and 1650 °C. The homeotypic crystal structures of all four compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The nitridosilicates are trigonal with the following lattice constants: Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O: a = 978.8(4) pm, c = 1058.8(3) pm; Yb_6.081[Si₁₁N_20.243]O_0.757: a = 974.9(1) pm, c = 1055.7(2) pm; Dy_0.33Sm₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]N: a = 989.8(1) pm, c = 1078.7(1) pm; Nd₇[Si₈Al₃N₂₀]O: a = 1004.25(9) pm, c = 1095.03(12) pm. The crystal structures were solved and refined in the space group P31c with Z = 2. The compounds contain three‐dimensional networks built up by corner sharing SiN₄ and AlN₄ tetrahedra, respectively. The Ln³⁺ and the “isolated” O^2– ions are situated in the voids of the structures. According to Ln_(6+x/3)[Si_(11–y)Al_yN_(20+x–y)]O_(1–x+y) an extension of the Er₆[Si₁₁N₂₀]O structure type has been found.     

Homocatenation of Aluminum: Alkane‐like Structures of Li2Al2H6 and Li3Al3H8

A new class of aluminum homocatenated compounds (Li_nAl_nH_2n+2) is proposed based on quantum chemical calculations. In these compounds, Al abstracts an electron from Li, becoming valence isoelectronic with C, Si, and Ge, thus mimicking respective structural features of Group 14 hydrides. Using the Coalescence Kick search program coupled with density functional theory calculations, we investigated the potential energy surfaces of Li₂Al₂H₆ and Li₃Al₃H₆. Then single‐point‐energy coupled‐cluster calculations were performed for the lowest energy structures found. Indeed, the global minima established for Li₂Al₂H₆ and Li₃Al₃H₆ contain the Al₂H₆^2? and Al₃H₆^3? kernels, which are isostructural with ethane (C₂H₆), disilane (Si₂H₆), digermane (Ge₂H₆) and propane (C₃H₈), trisilane (Si₃H₈), trigermane (Ge₃H₈) molecules, respectively. Structural, energetic, and electronic characteristics of the Li₂Al₂H₆ and Li₃Al₃H₈ compounds are presented and the viability of their synthesis is discussed.     

The Metallic Zintl Phase Ba3Si4 – Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Chemical Bonding,and Physical Properties

The Zintl phase Ba₃Si₄ has been synthesized from the elements at 1273 K as a single phase. No homogeneity range has been found. The compound decomposes peritectically at 1307(5) K to BaSi₂ and melt. The butterfly‐shaped Si₄⁶⁻ Zintl anion in the crystal structure of Ba₃Si₄ (Pearson symbol tP28, space group P4₂/mnm, a = 8.5233(3) Å, c = 11.8322(6) Å) shows only slightly different Si‐Si bond lengths of d(Si–Si) = 2.4183(6) Å (1×) and 2.4254(3) Å (4×). The compound is diamagnetic with χ ≈ −50 × 10⁻⁶ cm³ mol⁻¹. DC resistivity measurements show a high electrical resistivity (ρ(300 K) ≈ 1.2 × 10⁻³ Ω m) with positive temperature gradient dρ/dT. The temperature dependence of the isotropic signal shift and the spin‐lattice relaxation times in ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy confirms the metallic behavior. The experimental results are in accordance with the calculated electronic band structure, which indicates a metal with a low density of states at the Fermi level. The electron localization function (ELF) is used for analysis of chemical bonding. The reaction of solid Ba₃Si₄ with gaseous HCl leads to the oxidation of the Si₄⁶⁻ Zintl anion and yields nanoporous silicon.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure,and Physical Properties of the Rare-Earth Metal Palladium Silicides LnPdSi (Ln = La,Ce, Pr) and the a-ThSi2 Type Compounds LaPd0.787(2)Si1.213(2) and CePd0.758(5)Si1.242(5)

Darstellung, Kristallstruktur und physikalische Eigenschaften der Seltenerdmetall-Palladium-Silicide LnPdSi (Ln = La, Ce, Pr) und die Verbindungen LaPd_0,787(2)Si_1,213(2) und CePd_0,758(5)Si_1,242(5) mit a-ThSi₂-Struktur Die äquiatomaren Seltenerdmetall-Palladium-Silicide LnPdSi (Ln = La, Ce, Pr) kristallisieren mit einem neuen monoklinen Strukturtyp, welcher aus Einkristall-Röntgen-Diffraktometerdaten von PrPdSi bestimmt worden ist: P2₁/c, a = 1079,1(5) pm, b = 584,1(2) pm, c = 786,7(2) pm, β = 92,00(2)°, Z = 8. Die Palladium- und Siliciumatome bilden ein dreidimensional-unendliches Netzwerk, in dem die Palladiumatome drei Siliciumnachbarn haben, während ein Teil der Siliciumatome vier Palladium- und der andere Teil ein Silicium- und zwei Palladiumnachbarn hat. Die Abstände Pd–Si (zwischen 242,8 und 255,3 pm) und Si–Si (233,0 pm) sind ähnlich wie die entsprechender Zweielektronen-Bindungen. Die Praseodymatome haben zwölf Silicium- und Palladiumnachbarn. Ein Pr–Pr-Abstand ist überraschend kurz mit 347,5 pm. LaPdSi ist ein metallischer Leiter und Pauli-paramagnetisch, während CePdSi und PrPdSi Curie-Weiss-Verhalten zeigen mit magnetischen Momenten, wie sie für Ce⁺³ und Pr⁺³ erwartet werden und ferro- oder ferrimagnetischer Ordnung unterhalb von 7 K. Die Verbindungen LaPd_0,787(2)Si_1,213(2) und CePd_0,758(5)Si_1,242(5) kristallisieren mit α-ThSi₂-Struktur. Ihre Zusammensetzung wurde durch Strukturverfeinerungen aus Einkristall-Diffraktometerdaten bestimmt.     

An Anti CuO2‐type Metal Hydride Square Net Structure in Ln2M2As2Hx (Ln=La or Sm,M=Ti,V, Cr,or Mn)

Using a high pressure technique and the strong donating nature of H⁻, a new series of tetragonal La₂Fe₂Se₂O₃‐type layered mixed‐anion arsenides, Ln₂M₂As₂H_x, was synthesized (Ln=La or Sm, M=Ti, V, Cr, or Mn; x≈3). In these compounds, an unusual M₂H square net, which has anti CuO₂ square net structures accompanying two As³⁻ ions, is sandwiched by (LaH)₂ fluorite layers. Notably, strong metal–metal bonding with a distance of 2.80 Å was confirmed in La₂Ti₂As₂H_2.3, which has metallic properties. In fact, these compounds are situated near the boundary between salt‐like ionic hydrides and transition‐metal hydrides with metallic characters.     

Octanuclear Ni4Ln4 Coordination Aggregates from Schiff Base Anion Supports and Connecting of Two Ni2Ln2 Cubes: Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic Properties

A family of 3d–4f aggregates have been reported through guiding the dual coordination modes of ligand anion (HL^?) and in situ generated ancillary bridge driven self‐assembly coordination responses toward two different types of metal ions. Reactions of lanthanide(III) nitrate (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Yb), nickel(II) acetate and phenol‐based ditopic ligand anion of 2‐[{(2‐hydroxypropyl)imino}methyl]‐6‐methoxyphenol (H₂L) in MeCN‐MeOH (3 : 1) mixture and LiOH provided five new octanuclear Ni‐4f coordination aggregates from two Ni₂Ln₂ cubanes. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that all the members of the family are isostructural, with the central core formed from the coupling of two distorted [Ni₂Ln₂O₄] heterometallic cubanes [Ni₂Ln₂(HL)₂(μ₃‐OH)₂(OH)(OAc)₄]⁺ (Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), Dy ( 3 ), Ho ( 4 ) and Yb ( 5 )). Higher coordination demand of 4f ions induced the coupling of the two cubes by (OH)(OAc)₂ bridges. Variable temperature magnetic study reveals weak coupling between the Ni²⁺ and Ln³⁺ ions. For the Tb ( 2 ) and Dy ( 3 ) analogs, the compounds are SMMs without an applied dc field, whereas the Gd ( 1 ) analogue is not an SMM. The observation revealed thus that the anisotropy of the Ln³⁺ ions is central to display the SMM behavior within this structurally intriguing family of compounds.     

A Naphthalene-Like Si1010− Unit in the Novel ∞2[Si2030−] Planar Anion of Sr13Mg2Si20

Two interpenetrating ² _∞ [Si ₂₀ ³⁰⁻ ] polyanions with naphthalene-like Si₁₀¹⁰⁻ building blocks (see picture) characterize the“nonclassical” Zintl phase Sr₁₃Mg₂Si₂₀, which is formed from the elements at 1230–1240 K. The ecliptical stacking of the Si₁₀¹⁰⁻ units leads to one-dimensional conductivity along the stacking direction.     

Nd3Si5AlON10 – Synthese,Kristallstruktur und Eigenschaften eines Sialons im La3Si6N11‐Strukturtyp

Nd₃Si₅AlON₁₀ – Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of a Sialon Isotypic with La₃Si₆N₁₁ Nd₃Si₅AlON₁₀ was synthesized by the reaction of silicon diimide, aluminium nitride, aluminium oxide, and neodymium in a pure nitrogen atmosphere at 1650 °C using a radiofrequency furnace. The compound was obtained as a coarsely crystalline solid. According to the single‐crystal structure determination the title compound is isotypic with Ln₃Si₆N₁₁ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm). Nd₃Si₅AlON₁₀ (P4bm, a = 1007.8(1), c = 486.3(1) pm, Z = 2, R₁ = 0.016, wR₂ = 0.031) is built up by a three‐dimensional network structure of corner sharing SiON₃ and (Si/Al)N₄ tetrahedra (molar ratio Si : Al = 3 : 1). According to lattice energetic calculations using the MAPLE concept a differentiation of O and N seems to be reasonable. One of the two different sites for the tetrahedral centres is probably occupied by Si (distances: Si–O: 168.4(1), Si–N: 173.6(3)–176.0(4) pm) the second site by Si and Al with the molar ratio 3 : 1 (distances: (Si/Al)–N: 172.0(3)–176.6(2) pm). The Nd³⁺ ions are located in the voids of the (Si₅AlON₁₀)^9– framework (distances: Nd–O: 261.07(8), Nd–N: 246.1(2)–286.6(2) pm).     

Synthesis and chemical characterization of oxynitride apatites

New oxynitride apatites Ln₁₀Si₆O₂₄N₂ and the mixed compounds Ln¹_10−xLn²_x(Si₆O₂₂N₂)O₂, with Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, were synthesized and investigated. It was shown that the oxidation of the mixed Ln¹_10−xLn²_x(Si₆O₂₂N₂)O₂ leads to the corresponding oxygenated apatites.     

Rare Earth Ruthenium Gallides with the Ideal Composition Ln2Ru3Ga5 (Ln = La–Nd,Sm) crystallizing with U2Mn3Si5 (Sc2Fe3Si5) Type Structure

The rare earth ruthenium gallides Ln₂Ru₃Ga₅ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) were prepared by arc‐melting of cold‐pressed pellets of the elemental components. They crystallize with a tetragonal structure (P4/mnc, Z = 4) first reported for U₂Mn₃Si₅. The crystal structures of the cerium and samarium compounds were refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data, resulting in significant deviations from the ideal compositions: Ce₂Ru_2.31(1)Ga_5.69(1), a = 1135.10(8) pm, c = 580.58(6) pm, R_F = 0.022 for 742 structure factors; Sm₂Ru_2.73(2)Ga_5.27(2), a = 1132.95(9) pm, c = 562.71(6) pm, R_F = 0.026 for 566 structure factors and 32 variable parameters each. The deviations from the ideal compositions 2:3:5 are discussed. A mixed Ru/Ga occupancy occurs only for one atomic site. The displacement parameters are relatively large for atoms with mixed occupancy within their coordination shell and small for atoms with no neighboring sites of mixed occupancy. Chemical bonding is analyzed on the basis of interatomic distances. Ln–Ga bonding is stronger than Ln–Ru bonding. Ru–Ga bonding is strong and Ru–Ru bonding is weak. The Ga–Ga interactions are of similar strength as in elemental gallium.