Intermetallic Gold Compounds REAuMg (RE = Y,La–Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd–Yb)

New intermetallic rare earth compounds REAuMg (RE = Y, La–Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd–Yb) were synthesized by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. Some structures were refined on the basis of single crystal data. The compounds with Y, La–Nd, Sm, and Gd–Tm adopt the ZrNiAl type structure with space group P62m: a = 770.8(2), c = 419.5(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0269, 261 F² values for PrAuMg, a = 750.9(2), c = 407.7(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0561, 649 F² values for HoAuMg with 15 variables for each refinement. Geometrical motifs in HoAuMg are two types of gold centered trigonal prisms: [Au1Mg₃Ho₆] and [Au2Mg₆Ho₃]. The gold and magnesium atoms form a three‐dimensional [AuMg] polyanion in which the holmium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. The magnesium positions show a small degree of magnesium/gold mixing resulting in the refined compositions PrAu_1.012(2)Mg_0.988(2) and HoAu_1.026(3)Mg_0.974(3). EuAuMg and YbAuMg contain divalent europium and ytterbium, respectively. Both compounds crystallize with the TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma: a = 760.6(3), b = 448.8(2), c = 875.8(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0491, 702 F² values, 22 variables for EuAuMg, and a = 738.4(1), b = 436.2(1), c = 864.6(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0442, 451 F² values, and 20 variables for YbAuMg. The europium position shows a small degree of europium/magnesium mixing, and the magnesium site a slight magnesium/gold mixing leading to the refined composition Eu_0.962(3)Au_1.012(3)Mg_1.026(3). No mixed occupancies were found in YbAuMg where all sites are fully occupied. In these structures the europium(ytterbium) and magnesium atoms form zig‐zag chains of egde‐sharing trigonal prisms which are centered by the gold atoms. As is typical for TiNiSi type compounds, also in EuAuMg and YbAuMg a three‐dimensional [AuMg] polyanion occurs in which the europium(ytterbium) atoms are embedded. The degree of distortion of the two polyanions, however, is different.     

Platinum‐Indium Polyanions in the Structures of LaPtIn4 and LnPtIn3 (Ln = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm) and Structure Refinement of Ce2Pt2In

The title compounds were prepared by reacting the elements in an arc‐melting furnace and subsequent annealing. The LaRuSn₃ type structure of the new compounds LnPtIn₃ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) was refined from single crystal X‐ray data for LaPtIn₃: Pm3n, a = 980.4(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0271, 399 F² values, 15 variables. Striking structural motifs of LaPtIn₃ are condensed distorted trigonal [PtIn₆] prisms with Pt–In distances of 269 pm. The lanthanum atoms occupy large cavities within the polyhedral network. Besides Pt–In bonding In–In bonding also plays an important role in LaPtIn₃ with In–In distances of 299 and 327 pm. The La1 position is occupied only to 91%, resulting in a composition La_0.98(1)PtIn₃. The La1 atoms show an extremely large displacement parameter indicating a rattling of these atoms in the In₁₂ cages. The so far most indium rich compound in the ternary system lanthanum‐platinum‐indium is LaPtIn₄ which was characterized on the basis of Guinier powder data: YNiAl₄‐type, Cmcm, a = 455.1(2) pm, b = 1687.5(5) pm, and c = 738.3(2) pm. The platinum atoms in LaPtIn₄ center trigonal prisms with the composition [La₂In₄]. Together with the indium atoms the platinum atoms form a complex three‐dimensional [PtIn₄] polyanion in which the lanthanum atoms occupy large hexagonal tubes. The structure of Ce₂Pt₂In is confirmed: Mo₂FeB₂‐type, P4/mbm, a = 779.8(1) pm, c = 388.5(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0466, 433 F² values, 12 parameters. It is built up from CsCl and AlB₂ related slabs with the compositions CeIn and CePt₂, respectively. Chemical bonding in the [PtIn₃] and [PtIn₄] polyanions of LaPtIn₃ and LaPtIn₄ is discussed.     

Über Fluoridsulfide (MFS) der Lanthanide (M = La–Nd,Sm, Gd–Lu) im A‐Typ mit PbFCl‐Struktur

On Fluoride Sulfides (MFS) of the Lanthanides (M = La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Lu) with A‐ or PbFCl‐Type Crystal Structure By the reaction of the elemental lanthanides (M = La–Nd, Sm–Lu) with the respective trifluorides (MF₃) and sulfur (S) in 2 : 1 : 3‐molar ratios at 850 °C, single‐phase fluoride sulfides of the composition MFS can be obtained in evacuated, gas‐tightly arc‐welded niobium or tantalum capsules within a few days. Exceptions are europium and ytterbium which do not react to form the corresponding fluoride sulfides under these conditions. However, at least YbFS becomes accessible through this method if platinum serves as container material. With sodium chloride (NaCl) as a flux, the formation of hydrolysis‐insensitive, platelet‐shaped A‐type single crystals with square cross‐section and the formula MFS (M = La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Er) is possible. These are very suitable for structure refinement from X‐ray diffraction data. In the PbFCl‐analogous crystal structures (tetragonal, P4/nmm, Z = 2; LaFS: a = 404.38(4), c = 700.41(7) pm; CeFS: a = 400.13(3), c = 696.20(5) pm; PrFS: a = 396.27(3), c = 692.72(5) pm; NdFS: a = 393.89(3), c = 691.58(5) pm; SmFS: a = 388.36(3), c = 687.95(5) pm; GdFS: a = 383.45(3), c = 685.18(5) pm; TbFS: a = 381.02(3), c = 683.86(5) pm; DyFS: a = 378.48(2), c = 682.51(4) pm; HoFS: a = 376.48(3), c = 681.92(5) pm; ErFS: a = 374.61(3), c = 681.34(5) pm), the M³⁺ cations are surrounded by nine anions (4 F^– and 5 S^2–) as monocapped square antiprisms. The anions themselves exhibit tetrahedral (F^–) and square‐pyramidal (S^2–) cationic coordination, respectively, according to the Niggli formula {(M³⁺)(F^–)_4/4(S^2–)_5/5}. In the case of TmFS, YbFS, and LuFS under analogous conditions, the hexagonal B‐ or trigonal C‐type modifications form at first, which can be transformed eventually to the quenchable metastable tetragonal A‐type polymorphs (TmFS: a = 372.86(5), c = 681.15(8) pm; YbFS: a = 371.08(5), c = 680.93(8) pm; LuFS: a = 369.37(5), c = 680.76(8) pm) at high pressure (20–60 kbar).     

Preparation and Crystal Structures of Ternary Rare Earth Osmium Gallides LnOsGa3 (Ln = Gd—Tm) and LnOsGa3 (Ln = La—Nd)

The title compounds were prepared from the elemental components at high temperatures. The compounds LnOsGa₃ crystallize with the cubic TmRuGa₃ type structure which was refined from four‐circle X‐ray diffractometer data of TbOsGa₃: Pm3¯m, Z = 3, a = 640.8(1) pm, R = 0.014 for 173 structure factors and 10 variable parameters. The other gallides crystallize with a new structure type which was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray data of CeOsGa₄: Pmma, Z = 6, a = 963.9(2) pm, b = 880.1(1) pm, c = 767.0(1) pm, R = 0.030 for 744 F values and 56 variables. The structure may be considered as consisting of two kinds of alternating layers, although bonding within and between the layers is of similar strength. One kind of layers (A) is slightly puckered, two‐dimensionally infinite, hexagonal close packed, with the composition OsGa₃; the other kind of layers (B) is planar with the composition CeGa. The structure is closely related to that of Y₂Co₃Ga₉ where the corresponding layers have the compositions Co₃Ga₆ (A) and Y₂Ga₃ (B).     

New Ternary Phosphides Ln25Ni49P33 (Ln = Ce,Pr, Nd,Sm, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er)

New ternary phosphides Ln₂₅Ni₄₉P₃₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) have been synthesized by arc melting of pure components. Crystal structure has been determined for Sm₂₅Ni₄₉P₃₃ using X‐ray powder diffraction data and the Rietvelt method: P6m2, a = 22.096(4), c = 3.8734(9) Å, R = 0.096. Crystal structure of Sm₂₅Ni₄₉P₃₃ is of a new type and belongs to large family of ternary compounds with trigonal‐prismatic coordination of the smallest size atoms and metal to nonmetal ratio equal or close to 2 : 1. It is a member of homologous subseries of the compounds with unit cell contents described by general chemical formula R M X . Lattice parameters of the isotypic compounds Ln₂₅Ni₄₉P₃₃ have been refined using X‐ray powder diffraction data.     

Neue thermische Abbauprodukte von Ln2CeMO6Cl3 (M = Nb,Ta; Ln = La–Sm) – Darstellung von strukturverwandtem (La, Tb)3,5TaO6Cl4–x

Contributions on the Investigation of Inorganic Nonstoichiometric Compounds. XLV. New Thermal Decomposition Products of Ln₂CeMO₆Cl₃ – Preparation of Structure‐related (La, Tb)_3.5TaO₆Cl_4–x The thermal decomposition (T £ 900–1050°C) of Ln₂CeMO₆Cl₃ (M = Nb, Ta; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) leads to the formation of two mixed‐valenced phases (Ln, Ce)_3.25MO₆Cl_3.5–x (phase ‘‘AB”︁”︁) and (Ln, Ce)_3.5MO₆Cl_4–x (phase ‘‘BB”︁”︁) and to the formation of chlorine according to redox‐reactions between Ce⁴⁺ and Cl^–. Single crystals of both phases (Ln, Ce)_3.25MO₆Cl_3.5–x (‘‘AB”︁”︁) and (Ln, Ce)_3.5MO₆Cl_4–x (‘‘BB”︁”︁) were obtained by chemical transport reactions using both powder of Ln₂CeMO₆Cl₃ (phase ‘‘A”︁”︁) and powder of (Ln, Ce)_3.25MO₆Cl_3.5–x (phase ‘‘AB”︁”︁) as starting materials and chlorine (p{Cl₂; 298 K} = 1 atm) or HCl (p{HCl; 298 K} = 1 atm) as transport agent. A crystal of (La, Ce)_3.25NbO₆Cl_3.5–x (”︁AB”︁”︁) (space group: C2/m, a = 35.288(1) Å, b = 5.418(5) Å, c = 9.522(1) Å, β = 98.95(7)°, Z = 4) was investigated by x‐ray diffraction methods, a crystal of (Pr, Ce)_3.5NbO₆Cl_4–x (”︁BB”︁”︁) was investigated by synchrotron radiation (λ = 0.56 Å) diffraction methods. The lattice constants are a = 18.863(6) Å, b = 5.454(5) Å, c = 9.527(6) Å, β = 102.44(3)° and Z = 4. Structure determination in the space group C2/m (No. 12) let to R1 = 0.0313. Main building units are NbO₆‐polyhedra with slightly distorted trigonally prismatic environment for Nb and chains of face‐sharing Cl₆‐octahedra along [010]. The rare earth ions are coordinated by chlorine and oxygen atoms. These main structure features confirmed the expected relation to the starting material Ln₂CeMO₆Cl₃ (phase ”︁A”︁”︁) and to (Ln, Ce)_3.25MO₆Cl_3.5–x (phase ”︁AB”︁”︁).     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen und Eigenschaften von Ln4Au2O9 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Eu)

Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of Ln₄Au₂O₉ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) The compounds Ln₄Au₂O₉ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) have been prepared from amorphous Au₂O₃ · 2–3 H₂O and Ln₂O₃ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) via solid state reaction under elevated oxygen pressure adding KOH as mineralising agent. They are isostructural with La₄Au₂O₉ (Nd₄Au₂O₉: a = 11.9813(3), b = 6.1474(1), c = 11.9641(4); 453 powder intensities, R_p = 3.75%; Sm₄Au₂O₉: a = 11.8689(4), b = 6.0360(1), c = 11.8469(4) Å; 812 unique reflections, R₁ = 2.75%; Eu₄Au₂O₉: a = 11.8241(3), b = 5.9922(1) Å, c = 11.8013(3) Å; 1315 unique reflections, R₁ = 7.83%). The crystal structure of Nd₄Au₂O₉ was refined from powder diffraction data. The structures of Sm₄Au₂O₉ and Eu₄Au₂O₉ were solved and refined from single crystal data. The isolated square planar AuO₄ units are stacked as columns and are linked to each other by LnO₇‐polyhedra. One of the oxygen atoms is exclusively connected to the trivalent lanthanides in tetrahedral geometry. Ln₄Au₂O₉, Bi₂CuO₄, Bi₂AuO₅ and Bi₄Au₂O₉ are closely related, structurally. The lanthanoid aurates decompose between 700 and 800 °C into Ln₂O₃, Au and O₂. The effective magnetic moments 3.64 μ_B (Nd₄Au₂O₉), 1.7 μ_B (Sm₄Au₂O₉) and 3.3 μ_B (Eu₄Au₂O₉) confirm that the lanthanides are trivalent. The UV/VIS absorption spectra can be interpreted at assuming free ions.     

Preparation and Crystal Structure of the Ternary Lanthanoid Nickel Arsenides Ln13Ni25As19 (Ln = Tm,Yb, and Lu)

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of the elemental components at high temperatures. They crystallize with a new structure type which was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray data of Tm₁₃Ni₂₅As₁₉: P 6, a = 1621.9(4) pm, c = 387.78(8) pm, Z = 1, R = 0.025 for 3164 structure factors and 119 variable parameters. The refinement of the occupancy parameters suggested a mixed Tm/Ni occupancy for one metal position and defects for one nickel site resulting in the composition Tm_12.57(1)Ni_25.22(2)As₁₉. These arsenides belong to a large structural family with a metal to metalloid ratio of 2 : 1.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Ln(phen)2(NO3)3 with Ln = Pr,Nd, Sm,Eu, Dy,and phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline

Five new complex compounds of the formula Ln(phen)₂(NO₃)₃ were prepared. The X‐ray structural analyses indicate that they crystallize isostructurally in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) with cell dimensions for example for Pr(phen)₂(NO₃)₃: a = 11.194(1) Å, b = 18.095(2) Å, c = 13.101(2) Å, β = 100.52(1)°, V = 2609.1(6) ų, Z = 4. The crystal structures consist of [Ln(phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complex molecules. The rare earth atoms are coordinated by four N atoms of two phen ligands and six O atoms of three nitrato groups to complete a distorted bicapped dodecahedron. The [Ln(phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complex molecules are assembled via π‐π stacking interactions between the neighboring phen ligands to form 1D columnar chains, which are then arranged in the crystal structures according to pseudo 1D close‐packed patterns.     

Rare earth-rich compounds RE9TMg4 (RE = Y,Dy-Tm,Lu; T = Ru,Rh, Os,Ir) with an ordered Co2Al5-type structure

The rare earth-rich intermetallic phases RE₉TMg₄ (RE = Y, Dy-Tm, Lu; T = Ru, Rh, Os, Ir) were synthesized by induction melting of the elements using sealed niobium ampoules as crucible material. The melted samples were additionally annealed in muffle furnaces and subsequently characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The RE₉TMg₄ compounds adopt an ordered Co₂Al₅ type structure, space group P6₃/mmc. Four structures were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: a = 953.71(5), c = 968.41(5) pm, wR2 = 0.00273, 603 F² values, 21 parameters for Tm_8.76RuMg_4.24; a = 958.37(5), c = 975.66(5), wR2 = 0.00384, 661 F² values, 20 parameters for Dy₉OsMg₄; a = 943.70(5), c = 967.91(5) pm, wR2 = 0.00430, 592 F² values, 21 parameters for Tm_8.74OsMg_4.26; a = 968.09(5), c = 978.25(5) pm, wR2 = 0.0439, 623 F² values, 21 parameters for Y_9.18IrMg_3.82. The compounds are prone to small homogeneity ranges (RE/Mg mixing). The transition metal atoms have tricapped trigonal prismatic rare earth coordination. These T@RE₉ units (TP) are condensed with empty RE₆ octahedra (O) via common triangular faces forming infinite strands with a sequence –TP–O–O–. These strands show the motif of hexagonal rod packing and they are separated by chains of edge- and corner-sharing tetrahedra. The magnesium substructures in the hexagonal Laves phase YMg₂ and the prototype Y₉CoMg₄ are structurally closely related. Charge transfer trends, electronic band structures and bonding properties were studied within DFT. The resulting picture is that cobalt brings covalent character by reducing the overall charge transfer and modifies the Laves phase YMg₂ by providing larger localization in the density of states. The Y–Co bonding in Y₉CoMg₄ prevails while weakening the Y–Mg bonds. The investigations of the magnetic properties of selected RE₉TMg₄ compounds revealed Pauli paramagnetic behavior for Y₉CoMg₄, Y₉OsMg₄ and Y₉IrMg₄. A ferromagnetic ground state with Curie temperatures of 46.0 and 47.6 K was observed for Dy₉RuMg₄ and Dy₉OsMg₄, respectively. Ho₉RuMg₄, Ho₉OsMg₄ and Tm₉OsMg₄ reveal antiferromagnetic ordering with Neél temperatures below 20 K.     

Cobalt Centered Trigonal RE6 Prisms and Mg4 Clusters as Basic Structural Units in RE4CoMg (RE = Y,La, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd–Tm)

The new rare earth metal rich intermetallic compounds RE₄CoMg (RE = Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd–Tm) were prepared via melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a water‐cooled sample chamber of a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffraction of powders and single crystals: Gd₄RhIn type, , a = 1428.38(9) pm, wR2 = 0.0638, 680 F² values, 20 variables for La₄CoMg, a = 1399.5(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0584, 589 F² values, 20 variables for Pr₄CoMg, a = 1390.2(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0513, 634 F² values, 20 variables for Nd_3.90CoMg_1.10, a = 1381.0(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0730, 618 F² values, 22 variables for Sm_3.92Co_0.93Mg_1.08, a = 1373.1(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0586, 611 F² values, 20 variables for Gd_3.92CoMg_1.08, a = 1362.1(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0576, 590 F² values, 20 variables for Tb_3.77CoMg_1.23, a = 1344.8(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0683, 511 F² values, 20 variables for Dy_3.27CoMg_1.73, and a = 1343.3(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0560, 542 F² values, 20 variables for Er_3.72CoMg_1.28. The cobalt atoms have trigonal prismatic rare earth coordination. Condensation of the CoRE₆ prisms leads to a three‐dimensional network which leaves larger voids that are filled by regular Mg₄ tetrahedra at a Mg–Mg distance of 316 pm in La₄CoMg. The magnesium atoms have twelve nearest neighbors (3 Mg + 9 RE) in icosahedral coordination. In the structures with Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er, the RE1 positions which are not involved in the trigonal prismatic network reveal some RE1/Mg mixing and the Sm_3.92Co_0.93Mg_1.08 structure shows small cobalt defects. Considering La₄CoMg as representative of all studied systems an analysis of the chemical bonding within density functional theory closely reproduces the crystal chemistry scheme and shows the role played by the valence states of the different constituents in the electronic band structure. Strong bonding interactions were observed between the lanthanum and cobalt atoms within the trigonal prismatic network.     

Crystal Structure Investigation of RE–Ni–Zn Ternary Compounds (RE = La,Ce, Tb)

The RENiZn (RE = La, Tb), RE₂Ni₂Zn (RE = La, Ce, Tb) and La₃Ni₃Zn ternary compounds were synthesized by two methods: by heating in a resistance furnace evacuated quartz ampoules containing Al₂O₃‐crucibles with element pieces and by induction melting in sealed Ta crucibles with subsequent annealing at 400 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS) was used for examining microstructure and phase composition of some of the alloys. The crystal structures for all the investigated phases were solved or confirmed on single crystal data by applying the direct methods refined by a standard least square procedure: LaNiZn – str. type ZrNiAl, hexagonal, , hP9, a = 0.7285(1), c = 0.3938(1) nm, wR₂ = 0.0534, 257 F² values, 14 variables; a = 0.7044(1), c = 0.3782(1) nm, wR₂ = 0.0447, 236 F² values, 14 variables for TbNiZn; La₂Ni₂Zn – str. type Pr₂Ni₂Al, orthorhombic, Immm, oI10, a = 0.4381(1), b = 0.5459(1) c = 0.8605(2) nm, wR₂ = 0.0824, 223 F² values, 13 variables; a = 0.4365(1), b = 0.5430(1) c = 0.8279(2) nm, wR₂ = 0.0635, 209 F² values, 13 variables for Ce₂Ni₂Zn; a = 0.4209(1), b = 0.5366(1) c = 0.8165 (1) nm, wR₂ = 0.0757, 200 F² values, 13 variables for Tb₂Ni₂Zn; La₃Ni₃Zn – str. type Y₃Co₃Ga, orthorhombic, Cmcm, oS28, a = 0.4276(1), b = 1.0310(2) c = 1.3636(3) nm, wR₂ = 0.0859, 579 F² values, 26 variables. The structural peculiarities of these compounds and their relations are discussed.     

Synthesis,Structure, Chemical Bonding,and Properties of CaTIn2 (T = Pd,Pt, Au)

The new compounds CaPdIn₂, CaPtIn₂, and CaAuIn₂ were prepared from the elements by reaction in glassy carbon crucibles under flowing argon. They crystallize with the MgCuAl₂ structure type (space group Cmcm), a ternary ordered version of the Re₃B type. The three crystal structures were refined from single‐crystal four‐circle diffractometer data: a = 444.35(7), b = 1038.0(1), c = 781.32(9), wR2 = 0.1352, 455 F² values for CaPdIn₂, a = 439.65(7), b = 1043.8(1), c = 781.22(8) pm, wR2 = 0.0368, 462 F² values for CaPtIn₂, and a = 456.35(5), b = 1074.8(1), c = 759.69(8) pm, wR2 = 0.0640, 763 F² values for CaAuIn₂, with Z = 4 and 16 parameters for each refinement. Structural elements of these compounds are transition metal (T) centered trigonal prisms formed by the calcium and indium atoms. The transition metal and indium atoms form three‐dimensionally infinite [TIn₂] polyanions in which the calcium atoms occupy pentagonal channels. First principles calculations of the electronic structures of these materials strongly suggest the idea of an In–In bonded three‐dimensional network. Theoretical charge density as well as COHP analyses reveal that the calcium atom in CaAuIn₂ (isotypic with NaAuIn₂) has not completely lost its two valence electrons. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of compact polycrystalline samples of CaPdIn₂, CaPtIn₂, and CaAuIn₂ indicate weak Pauli paramagnetism. The compounds are metallic conductors with room temperature values for the specific resistivities of 35 ± 10, 20 ± 10, and 25 ± 10 μ Ωcm for CaPdIn₂, CaPtIn₂, and CaAuIn₂, respectively.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von Ln3I(SiS4)2 (Ln = Pr,Nd, Sm,Tb)

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Ln₃I(SiS₄)₂ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb) Single crystals of Ln₃I(SiS₄)₂ were prepared by a two‐step reaction of lanthanide metal, sulfur, silicon and iodine in the ratio 1 : 3.25 : 1 : 0.33 in quartz glass tubes. The thiosilicates crystallize in the monoclinic space group C 2/c (Z = 4) isotypic to Ce₃I(SiS₄)₂ [1]. In the crystal structures the iodide ions form chains along [001] with trigonal coordination by lanthanide ions.     

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.     

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.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von Ln2SeSiO4 (Ln = Sm,Dy, Ho) und Sm2TeSiO4

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Ln₂SeSiO₄ (Ln = Sm, Dy, Ho) and Sm₂TeSiO₄ Single crystals of Ln₂SeSiO₄ (Ln = Sm, Dy, Ho) could be prepared by the reaction of lanthanide metal, selenium and iodine in the ratio 1 : 1 : 2.5 and subsequent reaction with quartz glass powder. Black crystals of Sm₂TeSiO₄ have been obtained in chemical transport experiments of SmTe₂ with iodine in evacuated quartz glass ampoules as by‐products. All chalcogenide silicates crystallize orthorhombically with the space group Pbcm (Z = 4) and the lattice constants: Sm₂SeSiO₄: a = 612.6(1) pm, b = 709.0(1) pm, c = 1094.0(2) pm; Dy₂SeSiO₄: a = 603.6(1) pm, b = 696.4(1) pm, c = 1081.2(2) pm; Ho₂SeSiO₄: a = 601.0(1) pm, b = 693.6(1) pm, c = 1078.6(2) pm; Sm₂TeSiO₄: a = 623.82(8) pm, b = 713.06(7) pm, c = 1112.26(11) pm. The crystal structure is built up of alternating Ln(Se/Te) and LnSiO₄ sheets parallel (001).     

The Nitrido Borates Ln3B2N4 (Ln = La–Nd) and La5B4N9: Syntheses,Structures, and Properties

Single crystals of the lanthanoide nitrido borates Ln₃B₂N₄ (Ln = La–Nd) and La₅B₄N₉ have been obtained from reactions of lanthanoide metal powder, lanthanoide nitride powder, and hexagonal boron nitride in calcium chloride melts. The isotypic compounds Ln₃B₂N₄ belong to the space group Immm (#71), Z = 2, with the lattice parameters for La₃B₂N₄: a = 362.94(3), b = 641.25(6), c = 1097.20(8) pm; Ce₃B₂N₄: a = 356.20(3), b = 631.90(6), c = 1071.91(8) pm; Pr₃B₂N₄: a = 353.46(4), b = 630.04(13), c = 1079.04(23) pm and Nd₃B₂N₄: a = 351.52(4), b = 627.01(15), c = 1075.59(23) pm. The structure of La₅B₄N₉ has been determined in the space group Pbcm (#57), Z = 4, with a = 988.25(5); b = 1263.48(7), c = 770.33(4) pm. These two structure types resemble three kinds of nitrido borate anions, the oxalate analogue B₂N₄ of Ln₃B₂N₄, and the carbonate analogue BN₃ together with the six‐membered ring system B₃N₆ of La₅(BN₃)(B₃N₆). In contrast to the valence compound La₅B₄N₉ the compounds (Ln³⁺)₃(B₂N₄)^8–(e^–) contain one electron in the conduction band, yielding temperature independent paramagnetism for La₃B₂N₄. The calculated electronic structure is developed through the formation of B₂N₄^8– ions by dimerisation of two BN₂ units.     

X‐Ray Photoemission Studies of the Ternary Intermetallic Compounds Li2MGa and LiMGa2 (M = Rh,Pd, Ir,Pt)

X‐ray photoelectron and x‐ray excited Auger spectra were measured for the intermetallic compounds LiMGa₂ and Li₂MGa (M = Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt). The valence band spectra exhibit characteristic differences in the location of the M d‐band between group 9 elements (Rh, Ir) and group 10 elements (Pd, Pt) on one side and between LiMGa₂ and Li₂MGa on the other. The experimentally observed differences are in excellent agreement with results from band structure calculations. The combination of binding energy shifts with Auger kinetic energy shifts allowed a separation of initial and final state contributions. Core hole screening is very efficient in accordance with the metallic character of the investigated phases. The magnitude of the screening correlates with the theoretically predicted composition of the density of states at the Fermi level. Application of Wertheim's electrostatic model allowed to estimate the charge distribution for LiRhGa₂ and Li₂RhGa. The sign of the charges agrees with expectations that result from the Extended Zintl Concept. The results show, how dangerous it is to draw conclusions on the chemistry of such systems from photoemission data alone.