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.     

Scandium as an Element Intermediate between Rare Earth and Transition Metals in Intermetallics: Crystal Structures of Sc2Fe12P7, Sc3.6Fe10.4P7, and Sc2Co4P3. Other New Compounds with Zr2Fe12P7, Hf2Co4P3, Sc5Co19P12, and Yb6Co30P19 Type Structures

Abstract. Twenty five ternary phosphides crystallizing with four different but closely related structure types were prepared using elemental tin as a flux. Their lattice constants are reported. New compounds include Sc₂Fe₁₂P₇, Sc_3.6Fe_10.4P₇, Y₂Co₁₂P₇, and Hf₂T₁₂P₇ with T = Fe, Co, Ni. They crystallize with the hexagonal Zr₂Fe₁₂P₇ type structure, which was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data of Sc_3.6Fe_10.4P₇: a = 944.1(1) pm, c = 363.4(1) pm, R = 0.041 for 719 unique structure factors and 23 variable parameters. The excess scandium atoms occupy one of the four iron sites of the Zr₂Fe₁₂P₇ type structure which has a higher coordination number than the other three iron sites. The two isotypic phosphides Sc₂Fe₁₂P₇ and Sc_3.6Fe_10.4P₇ do not form a continuous series of solid solutions. The new compounds Sc₂Co₄P₃ and Sc₂Ni₄P₃ are isotypic with Hf₂Co₄P₃. This hexagonal structure was refined for Sc₂Co₄P₃ from single crystal data: a = 1211.5(2) pm, c = 363.7(1) pm, R = 0.025 for 500 F_o and 38 variables. Other new compounds reported are Sc₅Ni₁₉P₁₂, Zr₅Fe₁₉P₁₂, Hf₅Fe₁₉P₁₂, and Hf₅Co₁₉P₁₂ which crystallize with Sc₅Co₁₉P₁₂ type structure, and the Yb₆Co₃₀P₁₉ type phosphides Sc₆Co₃₀P₁₉, Zr₆Co₃₀P₁₉, and Hf₆Co₃₀P₁₉. The structural relationships of these ternary phosphides are discussed with special attention to the environments of the transition metal atoms.     

Preparation and Crystal Structure of Rare Earth Rhenates: the Series Ln5Re2O12 with Ln = Y,Gd–Lu,and the Praseodymium Rhenates Pr3ReO8, Pr3Re2O10, and Pr4Re2O11

The crystal structure of the known compounds Ln₅Re₂O₁₂ (Ln = Y, Gd, Dy–Lu) and the new isotypic terbium rhenate Tb₅Re₂O₁₂ was determined from X‐ray data of a twinned crystal of Ho₅Re₂O₁₂: B2/m, a = 1236.5(4) pm, b = 748.2(2) pm, c = 563.8(1) pm, γ = 107.73(3)°, Z = 2, R = 0.034 for 379 structure factors and 37 variable parameters. The rhenium atoms (oxidation number +4.5) have octahedral oxygen coordination. These ReO₆ octahedra share edges, thus forming infinite strings with alternating short and long Re–Re distances: 243.6(2) and 320.1(2) pm. Of the three holmium positions two are surrounded by seven oxygen atoms and the third one has octahedral oxygen coordination. The crystal structure of Pr₃ReO₈ was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data: P2₁/a, a = 1498.0(2) pm, b = 749.09(8) pm, c = 610.48(9) pm, γ = 110.39(1)°, R = 0.017 for 2082 F values and 110 variable parameters. It is isotypic with a structure first determined for Sm₃ReO₈. The new compounds Pr₃Re₂O₁₀ and Pr₄Re₂O₁₁ were prepared by reaction of elemental praseodymium with the metaperrhenate Pr(ReO₄)₃. They were characterized through their X‐ray powder diagrams. Pr₃Re₂O₁₀ was found to be monoclinic: a = 778.47(9) pm, b = 773.62(9) pm, c = 706.10(8) pm, β = 114.77(1)°. It is isotypic with La₃Os₂O₁₀ and La₃Re₂O₁₀. Pr₄Re₂O₁₁ crystallizes with Nd₄Re₂O₁₁ type structure with the tetragonal lattice constants a = 1272.49(3) pm, c = 562.29(2) pm. The compounds Nd₄Re₂O₁₁ and Sm₄Re₂O₁₁ are confirmed. The magnetic properties of Ho₅Re₂O₁₂, Tb₅Re₂O₁₂, Pr₃Re₂O₁₀, Pr₄Re₂O₁₁, Nd₄Re₂O₁₁, and Sm₄Re₂O₁₁ were investigated with a Faraday balance. None of these compounds shows magnetic order above 200 K.     

Preparation and Crystal Structures of some Binary Pnictides of Scandium,Zirconium, and Hafnium: Sc5Bi3, ZrBi, α‐HfSb,HfBi, HfBi2, and the Compound Zr5Bi3X1–x,Possibly Stabilized by an Impurity (X)

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of the elemental components. Of these Sc₅Bi₃ is a new compound. Its orthorhombic β‐Yb₅Sb₃ type crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray data: Pnma, a = 1124.4(1) pm, b = 888.6(1) pm, c = 777.2(1) pm, R = 0.024 for 1140 structure factors and 44 variable parameters. For the other compounds we have established the crystal structures. ZrBi has ZrSb type structure with a noticeable homogeneity range. This structure type was also found for the low temperature (α) form of HfSb and for HfBi. For α‐HfSb this structure was refined from single‐crystal X‐ray data: Cmcm, a = 377.07(4) pm, b = 1034.7(1) pm, c = 1388.7(1) pm, R = 0.043 for 432 F values and 22 variables. HfBi₂ has TiAs₂ type structure: Pnnm, a = 1014.2(2) pm, b = 1563.9(3) pm, c = 396.7(1) pm. The structure was refined from single‐crystal data to a residual of R = 0.074 for 1038 F values and 40 variables. In addition, a zirconium bismuthide, possibly stabilized by light impurity elements X and crystallizing with the hexagonal Mo₅Si₃C_1–x type structure, was observed: Zr₅Bi₃X_1–x, a = 873.51(6) pm, c = 599.08(5) pm. The positions of the heavy atoms of this structure were refined from X‐ray powder film data. Various aspects of impurity stabilization of intermetallics are discussed.     

Isotype Borophosphate MII(C2H10N2)[B2P3O12(OH)] (MII = Mg,Mn, Fe,Ni, Cu,Zn): Verbindungen mit Tetraeder‐Schichtverbänden

Isotypic Borophosphates M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn): Compounds containing Tetrahedral Layers The isotypic compounds M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂) · [B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) were prepared under hydrothermal conditions (T = 170 °C) from mixtures of the metal chloride (chloride hydrate, resp.), Ethylenediamine, H₃BO₃ and H₃PO₄. The orthorhombic crystal structures (Pbca, No. 61, Z = 8) were determined by X‐ray single crystal methods (Mg(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)]: a = 936.81(2) pm, b = 1221.86(3) pm, c = 2089.28(5) pm) and Rietveld‐methods (M^II = Mn: a = 931.91(4) pm, b = 1234.26(4) pm, c = 2129.75(7) pm, Fe: a = 935.1(3) pm, b = 1224.8(3) pm, c = 2088.0(6) pm, Ni: a = 939.99(3) pm, b = 1221.29(3) pm, c = 2074.05(7) pm, Cu: a = 941.38(3) pm, b = 1198.02(3) pm, c = 2110.01(6) pm, Zn: a = 935.06(2) pm, b = 1221.33(2) pm, c = 2094.39(4) pm), respectively. The anionic part of the structure contains tetrahedral layers, consisting of three‐ and nine‐membered rings. The M^II‐ions are in a distorted octahedral or tetragonal‐bipyramidal [4 + 2] (copper) coordination formed by oxygen functions of the tetrahedral layers. The resulting three‐dimensional structure contains channels running along [010]. Protonated Ethylenediamine ions are fixed within the channels by hydrogen bonds.     

Transitions Between Lanthanum Cuprates: Crystal Structures of T′, Orthorhombic,and K2NiF4‐type La2CuO4

Through low‐temperature synthesis in CsOH flux, lanthanum cuprate La₂CuO₄ can be obtained in a metastable form, the so‐called T′ modification (tetragonal, I4/mmm, no. 139, a = 400.95(2) pm, c = 1254.08(7) pm). When heated, this T′ phase transforms into a K₂NiF₄‐type modification, whose crystal structure was now refined from X‐ray powder data (tetragonal, I4/mmm, no. 139, a = 383.29(3) pm, c = 1331.3(2) pm at T = 1073 K). The well‐known orthorhombic phase (s.g. Cmce, no. 64, a = 536.14(3) pm, b = 1315.53(8) pm, c = 540.20(3) pm) – usually obtained via conventional solid state synthesis – was observed to form upon cooling from the K₂NiF₄‐type modification. High‐temperature powder diffractometry allowed crystal structure refinements for all of the three phases.     

Das System Gd/Co/B: Darstellung und röntgenographische Charakterisierung von GdCo4B,Gd3Co11B4, GdCoB4 und GdCo12B6

The System Gd/Co/B: Preparation and Characterization by X‐ray Diffraction of GdCo₄B, Gd₃Co₁₁B₄, GdCoB₄, and GdCo₁₂B₆ The compounds GdCo₄B, Gd₃Co₁₁B₄, GdCoB₄, and GdCo₁₂B₆ were characterized by X‐ray investigations of single crystals. GdCo₄B (P 6/mmm, a = 505.9(1) pm, c = 690.1(1) pm) crystallizes with the CeCo₄B structure type; Gd₃Co₁₁B₄ (P 6/mmm, a = 508.7(1) pm, c = 982.9(9) pm) with the Ce₃Co₁₁B₄ stucture type; GdCo₁₂B₆ ( , a = 949.5(1) pm, c = 747.4(1) pm) with the SrNi₁₂B₆ structure type and GdCoB₄ (P bam, a = 591.3(9) pm, b = 1145.1(6) pm, c = 346.2(3) pm) with the YbCoB₄ structure type.     

Ternary Rare Earth (R) Transition Metal Aluminides R3T4Al12 (T = Ru and Os) with Gd3Ru4Al12 Type Structure

The isotypic intermetallic compounds R₃Ru₄Al₁₂ (R = Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd—Tm) and R₃Os₄Al₁₂ (R = Y, Ce—Nd, Sm, Gd—Tm) were prepared by reaction of the elemental components in an arc‐melting furnace. Their crystal structure was determined from four‐circle X‐ray diffractometer data of Y₃Ru₄Al₁₂: P6₃/mmc, a = 877.7(1) pm, c = 952.3(1) pm, Z = 2, R = 0.028 for 361 structure factors and 28 variable parameters. It was also refined for Nd₃Os₄Al₁₂ (a = 889.2(1) pm, c = 960.3(1) pm, R = 0.021 for 425 F values and 30 variables) and Gd₃Os₄Al₁₂ (a = 884.7(1) pm, c = 955.3(2) pm, R = 0.020; 427 F values, 30 variables). The refinements of the occupancy parameters revealed mixed T/Al occupancy for some of the aluminum sites resulting in the compositions Y₃Ru_4.060(3)Al_11.940(3), Nd₃Os_4.43(1)Al_11.57(1), and Gd₃Os_4.44(1) Al_11.56(1), respectively. The structure is related to those found for Y₂Co₃Ga₉, Er₄Pt₉Al₂₄, CeOsGa₄, Ho₃Ru₄Ga₁₅, YbFe₂Al₁₀, TbRe₂Al₁₀, LuRe₂Al₁₀, and CaCr₂Al₁₀. Topologically all of these structures may be viewed as consisting of atomic layers, although chemical bonding within and between the layers is of similar character. Two kinds of layers can be distinguished in these structures. One kind contains all of the rare earth (occasionally also alkaline earth) and in addition aluminum or gallium atoms. The other kind of layers consists of the transition metal atoms and again aluminum or gallium atoms. These latter layers are hexa gonally close packed and slightly puckered. The three different structures of the disilicides TiSi₂, CrSi₂, and MoSi₂ also contain these layers; however, in the disilicides these layers are flat.     

Synthesis and Structure of Ba7F12Cl2

Crystals of ordered and disordered Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂ were prepared by flux growth and solid state reactions. These new structures were characterized by single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. The disordered variant which shows disorder on one of the cation sites was obtained from a BaF₂ + BaCl₂ + NaCl/NaF flux. It has hexagonal space group P6₃/m (176) with one formula unit per unit cell. The lattice constants are a = b = 1059.55(5) pm and c = 420.10(4) pm (at 21 °C). The structure was refined to R(R_w) = 0.026(0.030) for 346 independent reflections and 26 parameters. Slow cooling of a mixture of BaF₂ and LiCl yields the ordered variant. This one crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6 (174) with one formula per unit cell. Lattice constants at 21 °C are a = b = 1063.46(2) pm and c = 417.52(1) pm. The structure was refined to R(R_w) = 0.017 (0.017) for 638 independent reflections and 45 parameters. The structural arrangement and the interatomic distances of the two variants are mutually similar. The barium atoms have coordination number nine. Propeller‐type arrangements with a chloride ion on the axis and the fluoride ions as blades are observed. These latter ones are interconnected into ‘channels' of tricapped fluoride prisms. Occupation disorder of the barium sites in the channels of the disordered variant makes the main difference between the two. An unexpectedly high X‐ray density obtained for both variants of Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂ can be correlated to the density of other barium fluorohalides having a coordination number of nine for the barium ion.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Ordered Modification of Ba6EuF12Cl2

Crystals of ordered Ba₆EuF₁₂Cl₂ were found to form during high temperature flux growth. The structure was refined in the hexagonal space group P 6 to R^F(R ) = 0.024(0.024) for 326 reflections and 46 parameters. Lattice parameters are a = b = 1059.27(8) pm and c = 416.36(2) pm; Z = 1. The structure is isotypic to Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂. No solid solution of Ba/Eu was observed, the Eu²⁺ ions are located in the channels formed by 3 + 6 fluorine ions, occupying only one of the three metal sites of the Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂ structure.     

Preparation and Crystal Structure of the Ternary Lanthanoid Platinum Antimonides Ln3Pt7Sb4 (Ln = Ce,Pr, Nd,and Sm) with Er3Pd7P4 Type Structure

The four compounds Ln₃Pt₇Sb₄ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm) were prepared from the elements by arc‐melting and subsequent heat treatment in resistance and high‐frequency furnaces. The crystal structure of these isotypic compounds was determined from four‐circle X‐ray diffractometer data of Nd₃Pt₇Sb₄ [C2/m, a = 1644.0(2) pm, b = 429.3(1) pm, c = 1030.6(1) pm, β = 128.58(1)°, Z = 2, R = 0.032 for 698 structure factors and 46 variable parameters] and Sm₃Pt₇Sb₄ [a = 1639.5(2) pm, b = 427.1(1) pm, c = 1031.8(1) pm, β = 128.76(1)°, Z = 2, R = 0.025 for 816 F‐values and 46 variables]. The structure is isotypic with that of the homologous phosphide Er₃Pd₇P₄. In contrast to the structure of this phosphide, where the phosphorus atoms have the coordination number nine, the larger antimony atoms of Nd₃Pt₇Sb₄ obtain the coordination number ten. The structural relationships between the structures of EuNi_2—xSb₂, EuPd₂Sb₂, CeNi_2+xSb_2—x, Ce₃Pd₆Sb₅, and Nd₃Pt₇Sb₄, all closely related to the tetragonal BaAl₄ (ThCr₂Si₂) type structure, are briefly discussed emphasizing their space group relationships.     

The Reconstructive Phase Transformation β‐Co2P → α‐Co2P and the Structure of the High‐Temperature Phosphide β‐Co2P

Metallographical and differential thermoanalytical (DTA) investigatitons indicate that the well known phosphide Co₂P (Pearson code oP12, space group Pnma, Co₂Si type) is not stable up to the melting point, T = 1659 K; it is therefore designated as the low‐temperature phase α‐Co₂P. In the temperature range from 1428 to 1659 K, another, high‐temperature phase, designated as β‐Co₂P, exists. X‐ray powder diffraction investigation of liquid quenched alloys in the composition range x_P = 0.25 to 0.335, with x_P as the mole fraction, show that the high‐temperature phase β‐Co₂P is isotypic with Fe₂P (hP9, P 6 2m). For the ideal composition Co₂P, the unit cell parameters are: a = 5.742(2) Å, c = 3.457(5) Å, c/a = 0.621. Among the binary transition metal‐containing phosphides and arsenides isotypic with Fe₂P, β‐Co₂P is the only known high‐temperature phase and it shows (i) the highest axial ratio c/a and (ii) the “smallest” distortion of the hcp substructure formed by the transition metals atoms in the Fe₂P structure type.     

Neue Rhodiumverbindungen mit LiCo6P4‐Struktur

New Rhodium Compounds with the LiCo₆P₄ Type Structure Five new phosphides and arsenides respectively of the formula ARh₆X₄ (A: Mg–Sr, Yb; X: P, As) were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements and investigated by means of single crystal X‐ray methods. They are isotypic and crystallize in the LiCo₆P₄ type structure (P6m2; Z = 1) (lattice constants see ”︁Inhaltsübersicht”︁”︁). The compounds belong to the large family of phosphides and arsenides, which have a metal : non‐metal ratio of about 2 : 1. Their structures are characterized by the environment of phosphorus and arsenic respectively, which is composed of trigonal prisms of metal atoms with additional metal atoms capping the rectangular faces of the prisms.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von ANi10P3 (A: Zn,Ga, Sn,Sb)

Preparation and Crystal Structure of A Ni₁₀P₃ ( A : Zn, Ga, Sn, Sb) Four compounds ANi₁₀P₃ (A: Zn, Ga, Sn, Sb) were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements and investigated by means of X‐ray methods. Single crystal structure determinations of ZnNi₁₀P₃ (a = 7.665(1), c = 9.360(1) Å) and SnNi₁₀P₃ (a = 7.674(1), c = 9.621(1) Å) respectively showed, that they are isotypic and crystallize in a new structure (P3m1; Z = 3). This type is characterized by 3²⁰ and 3²⁴ cages of Ni atoms (Frank Kasper polyhedra), which are connected with each other. A atoms are located in the centres of these polyhedra and have no direct bonds to the P atoms.     

Synthese,Kristallstruktur und magnetische Eigenschaften von TbAl3Cl12

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of TbAl₃Cl₁₂ TbAl₃Cl₁₂ was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data for the first time. The compound crystallizes trigonally in space group P3₁12 with a = 1049.8(1) and c = 1567.3(2) pm. Terbium cations are located in quadratic antiprisms of chloride anions. Magnetic measurements were performed to study the interactions between Tb³⁺ and Cl^–. Magnetic data were interpreted by ligand field calculations applying the angular overlap model.     

Die Kristallstruktur von Bortriiodid,BI3

Crystal Structure of Boron Triiodide, BI₃ Boron triiodide as a micro‐crystalline powder was obtained after sublimation of the reaction product of NaBH₄ and iodine. An X‐ray powder diagram of the temperature‐, air‐, and light‐sensitive compound was collected at –73 °C. According to the results of the Rietveld refinement, the crystal structure of BI₃ is isotypic to that of BCl₃ (space group P6₃/m, no. 176, a = 699.09(2), c = 736.42(3) pm). The B–I bond length was determined to be 211.2(8) pm.     

Synthese und Struktur von RbHfF5, Rb2Zr3F12O und Rb2Hf3F12O — zwei Oxidfluoride mit zentraler trigonal‐planarer [M3O]‐Gruppe

Synthesis and Structure of RbHfF₅, Rb₂Zr₃F₁₂O and Rb₂Hf₃F₁₂O — two Oxydefluorides with Central Trigonal‐plane [M₃O] Group Colorless RbHfF₅ crystallizes isotypic with (NH₄)ZrF₅ and TlHfF₅ monoclinic, space group P2₁/c ‐ C_2h (No. 14) with a = 776.6, b = 789.6, c = 789.8 pm, and β = 120.52°. Also colorless Rb₂Zr₃F₁₂O crystallizes trigonal, space group R3¯m — D₃d (No. 166), with a = 771.9 and c = 2963.0 pm, isotypic is Rb₂Hf₃F₁₂O with a = 769.2 pm and c = 2986.1 pm. Both compounds are isotypic with Tl₂Zr₃F₁₂O.     

The Henicosaphosphide Iodides of Potassium and Rubidium,K4P21I and Rb4P21I

The novel ternary polyphosphides M₄P₂₁I (M = K, Rb) have been synthesized from the elements in single crystalline form, representing further examples for the formation of mixed crystals between simple salts and binary phosphides. They form as ruby‐red platelets and dark‐red prisms, respectively, and are only slightly sensitive to moisture and oxygen. The compounds are isotypic (Ccmm (no 63); Z = 4; oP104; K₄P₂₁I: a = 12.853Å; b = 21.795Å; c = 9.748Å; 1168 hkl, R = 0.033; Rb₄P₂₁I: a = 13.281Å; b = 21.868Å; c = 9.771Å; 777 hkl, R = 0.053) and feature corrugated 2D networks formed from two different types of polymerized P₇ units. The networks form large cavities filled by M⁺ and I^‐ ions. Zigzag chains of condensed trigonal M₆ prisms, centered by the I^‐ anions, separate the polyphosphide nets. The mean homoatomic P‐P bond length (d = 2.216Å) corresponds to a P‐P single bond. However, the individual P‐P distances vary with position and function (2.126 ‐ 2.247Å) and these are compared with those of the isolated P₂₁^‐3 anion.     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of ϵ‐Fe2O3

Powder material of ?‐Fe₂O₃ was obtained by thermal decomposition of the clay mineral nontronite and subsequent isolation of the ferric oxide by leaching the silicate phases. Additionally, crystals of ?‐Fe₂O₃ were grown as precipitates by internal oxidation of a Pd₉₆Fe₄ alloy. Analysis of the precipitate crystals by electron diffraction yields an orthorhombic crystal system and space group Pna2₁ ab initio. X‐ray diffraction data of the powder containing small amounts of Al substituting Fe were refined by the Rietveld method. The refinement yields lattice parameters a = 507.15 pm, b = 873.59 pm and c = 941.78 pm, and atom positions. ?‐Fe₂O₃ is isostructural with κ‐Al₂O₃, AlFeO₃, and GaFeO₃ having an anion stacking sequence /ABAC/, and 1/4 of the cations in tetrahedral co‐ordination. Some strongly distorted FeO₆ octahedrons with one large Fe‐O distance, which may be considered as a 5+1 co‐ordination, appear to be characteristic for ?‐Fe₂O₃. The structure shows elements known from silicates and oxyhydroxides of iron, respectively.     

Ternary Aluminides with the Ideal Composition A2Pt6Al15 (A = Y,Gd—Tm,Zr)

Ternary rare earth platinum aluminides were prepared by arc‐melting of the elemental components followed by annealing in a high‐frequency furnace. Their crystal structure was determined for the yttrium compound from four‐circle X‐ray diffractometer data. It has hexagonal symmetry with a = 428.1(1) pm, c = 1638.3(3) pm, space group P6₃/mmc, and was refined to a conventional residual of R = 0.018 for 325 F values and 19 variable parameters. Of the five crystallographic positions, the yttrium position and one of the three aluminum positions show partial occupancies corresponding to the composition Y_1.357(3)Pt₄Al_9.99(2) with the Pearson symbol hP20 — 4.65. These partially occupied sites are that close to each other that at best only one can be fully occupied. A model for an ordered distribution of occupied and unoccupied Y and Al sites requires a √3 larger a axis with the Pearson symbol hP20 — 4.67 for the subcell, very close to the experimental result. Corresponding superstructure reflections could be observed on an image‐plate single‐crystal diffractometer only in the form of diffuse streaks. The compound has the ideal composition Y₂Pt₆Al₁₅ with Z = 2 for the superstructure. This corresponds to the formula Y_1.33Pt₄Al₁₀ with Z = 1 for the subcell. The compounds A_1.33Pt₄Al₁₀ with A = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm were found to be isotypic with that of the yttrium compound. This structure is closely related to or isotypic with, respectively, those of Yb₂Fe₄Si₉, Sc_1.2Fe₄Si_9.8, Ce_1.2Pt₄Ga_9.8, Ce₂Pt₆Ga₁₅, Tb_0.67Ni₂Ga_5—xSi_x, RE_0.67Ni₂Ga_5—xGe_x> (with RE = Y, Sm, Ho), and Gd_0.67Pt₂Al₅, reported in earlier investigations. The new compound Zr_1.00(1)Pt₄Al_10.22(3) has nearly the same hexagonal structure with a = 426.1(1) pm and c = 1622.8(3) pm. It was refined from four‐circle diffractometer data to a residual of R = 0.021 for 288 structure factors and 19 variable parameters.