Synthesis, structure and physical properties of the new Zintl phases Eu11Zn6Sb12 and Eu11Cd6Sb12

Reported are the syntheses, crystal structure determinations from single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties of two new ternary compounds, Eu₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ and Eu₁₁Zn₆Sb₁₂. Both crystallize with the complex Sr₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ structure type—monoclinic, space group C2/m (no. 12), Z=2, with unit cell parameters a=31.979(4) Å, b=4.5981(5) Å, c=12.3499(14) Å, β=109.675(1)° for Eu₁₁Zn₆Sb₁₂, and a=32.507(2) Å, b=4.7294(3) Å, c=12.4158(8) Å, β=109.972(1)° for Eu₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂. Their crystal structures are best described as made up of polyanionic and ribbons of corner-shared ZnSb₄ and CdSb₄ tetrahedra and Eu²⁺ cations. A notable characteristic of these structures is the presence of Sb-Sb interactions, which exist between two tetrahedra from adjacent layers, giving rise to unique channels. Detailed structure analyses shows that similar bonding arrangements are seen in much simpler structure types, such as Ca₃AlAs₃ and Ca₅Ga₂As₆ and the structure can be rationalized as their intergrowth. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements indicate that Eu₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ orders anti-ferromagnetically below 7.5 K, while Eu₁₁Zn₆Sb₁₂ does not order down to 5 K. Resistivity measurements confirm that Eu₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ is poorly metallic, as expected for a Zintl phase.     

Lanthanum Gallium Tin Antimonides LaGaxSnySb2

A series of quaternary lanthanum gallium tin antimonides LaGa_xSn_ySb₂ was elaborated to trace the structural evolution between the known end members LaGaSb₂ (SmGaSb₂-type) and LaSn_ySb₂ (LaSn_0.75Sb₂-type). Five members of this series were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For low Sn content, the Sn atoms disorder with Ga atoms in zigzag chains to form solid solutions LaGa_1-ySn_ySb₂ (0≤y≤0.2) adopting the SmGaSb₂-type structure, as exemplified by LaGa_0.92(3)Sn_0.08Sb₂ and LaGa_0.80(3)Sn_0.20Sb₂ (orthorhombic, space group D⁵₂−C222₁,Z=4). For higher Sn and lower Ga content, there is a segregation in which the Sn atoms appear in chains of closely spaced partially occupied sites as in the parent LaSn_0.75Sb₂-type structure whereas the Ga atoms remain in zigzag chains as in the parent SmGaSb₂-type structure. This feature is observed in the structures of LaGa_0.68(4)Sn_0.31(3)Sb₂, LaGa_0.62(3)Sn_0.32(3)Sb₂, and LaGa_0.43(3)Sn_0.39(3)Sb₂ (orthorhombic, space group D¹⁷_2h−Cmcm,Z=4). The last example illustrates that the combined Ga/Sn content can be substoichiometric (x+y<1). These compounds have a layered nature, with the chains of Ga or Sn atoms residing between ²_∞[LaSb₂] slabs.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of CaxCo4Sb12 skutterudites

New skutterudite compounds Ca_xCo₄Sb₁₂ (0<x?0.2) have been prepared by traditional metallurgical synthesis. The compounds have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and neutron powder diffraction. Rietveld refinement of the structures against neutron powder diffraction data (on Ca_0.1Co₄Sb₁₂, , a=9.0429 Å, χ²=1.55; wR_p=1.52) enabled the location of Ca in the voids of the skutterudite structure to be verified. The large displacement ellipsoid for Ca is consistent with “rattling” in the cage of the crystalline structure. XRD combined with EPMA analyses showed that the maximum occupancy of Ca atoms is about 0.2.     

Ternary rare-earth titanium antimonides: Phase equilibria in the RE-Ti-Sb (RE=La, Er) systems and crystal structures of RE2Ti7Sb12 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and RETi3(SnxSb1-x)4 (RE=Nd, Sm)

Investigations on phase relationships and crystal structures have been conducted on several ternary rare-earth titanium antimonide systems. The isothermal cross-sections of the ternary RE-Ti-Sb systems containing a representative early (RE=La) and late rare-earth element (RE=Er) have been constructed at 800 °C. In the La-Ti-Sb system, the previously known compound La₃TiSb₅ was confirmed and the new compound La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ (own type, Cmmm, Z=2, a=10.5446(10) Å, b=20.768(2) Å, and c=4.4344(4) Å) was discovered. In the Er-Ti-Sb system, no ternary compounds were found. The structure of La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ consists of a complex arrangement of TiSb₆ octahedra and disordered fragments of homoatomic Sb assemblies, generating a three-dimensional framework in which La atoms reside. Other early rare-earth elements (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd) can be substituted in this structure type. Attempts to prepare crystals in these systems through use of a tin flux resulted in the discovery of a new Sn-containing pseudoternary phase RETi₃(Sn_xSb_1−x)₄ for RE=Nd, Sm (own type, Fmmm, Z=8; a=5.7806(4) Å, b=10.0846(7) Å, and c=24.2260(16) Å for NdTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄; a=5.7590(4) Å, b=10.0686(6) Å, and c=24.1167(14) Å for SmTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄). Its structure consists of double-layer slabs of Ti-centred octahedra stacked alternately with nets of the RE atoms; the Ti atoms are arranged in kagome nets.     

Eu7Ga6Sb8: A Zintl phase with Ga-Ga bonds and polymeric gallium antimonide chains

The Zintl phase Eu₇Ga₆Sb₈ was obtained from a direct element combination reaction at 900°C. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (No. 61) with a=15.6470(17) Å, b=17.2876(19) Å, c=17.9200(19) Å, and Z=8. In Eu₇Ga₆Sb₈, the anionic framework forms infinite chains of [Ga₆Sb₈]¹⁴⁻ which are arranged side by side to make a sheet-like arrangement but without linking. The sheets of chains are separated by Eu²⁺ atoms and also within the sheet, Eu²⁺ atoms fill the spaces between two chains. The chain is made up of homoatomic tetramers (Ga₄)⁶⁺ and dimers (Ga₂)⁴⁺ connected by Sb atoms. The compound is a narrow band-gap semiconductor with E_g∼0.6 eV and satisfies the classical Zintl concept. Extended Hückel band structure calculations confirm that the material is a semiconductor and suggest that the structure is stabilized by strong Ga-Ga covalent bonding interactions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for Eu₇Ga₆Sb₈ show that the Eu atoms are divalent and the compound has an antiferromagnetic transition at 9 K.     

Crystal and electronic structure of the red semiconductor Ba4LaSbGe3Se13 comprising the complex anion [Ge2Se7-Sb2Se4-Ge2Se7]

Ba₄LaGe₃SbSe₁₃ was prepared by reacting the elements under exclusion of air at 700°C, followed by slow cooling to room temperature. It crystallizes in a new type of the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with lattice dimensions of a=1633.30(9) pm, b=1251.15(7) pm, c=1303.21(7) pm, β=103.457(2)°, V=2590.0(2) 10⁶ pm³ (Z=4). The structure contains isolated GeSe₄ as well as Ge₂Se₇ digermanate units. Two of the latter are interconnected via an Sb₂Se₄ bridge yielding an almost linear complex anion [Ge₂Se₇-Sb₂Se₄-Ge₂Se₇]¹⁴⁻. The oxidation states are assigned to be Ba^II, La^III, Ge^IV, Sb^III, and Se^−II, in accord with an electronically saturated nonmetal. The lone pair of Sb^III reflects itself in highly irregular Se coordination. The red color of the material is indicative of semiconducting behavior with an activation energy of 2.0 eV. Electronic structure calculations based on the LMTO approximation point to a smaller gap, typical for this calculation method. We utilized the COHP tool to explore the bonding character of the different Sb-Se interactions.     

New transparent conductors with the M7O12 ordered oxygen-deficient fluorite structure: from In4Sn3O12 to In5.5Sb1.5O12

A new transparent conductor, containing pentavalent antimony, In_4+xSn_3−2xSb_xO₁₂, has been synthesized for 0?x?1.5. The latter exhibits an ordered oxygen-deficient fluorite structure with an ordered distribution of Sb⁵⁺ and In³⁺/Sn⁴⁺ species in the octahedral and seven-fold coordinated sites, respectively. More importantly, it is shown that the electronic conductivity of this transparent conducting oxide (TCO) at room temperature, is one order of magnitude larger for x=1 (In₅SnSbO₁₂) than for x=0 (In₄Sn₃O₁₂) and it turns to a semi-metallic behavior in contrast to In₄Sn₃O₁₂ which is a semi-conductor. The potential of this new material, as TCO, is also shown by its reflectance spectra, similar to In₄Sn₃O₁₂, involving only a small increase of the optical bandgap, by 0.15 eV.     

Synthetic Cu0.507(5)Pb8.73(9)Sb8.15(8)I1.6S20.0(2) nanowires

Nanowires of an iodine containing Pb-Sb-sulfosalt have been synthesized by chemical vapor transport. Their structure was studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The lattice parameters show values equal to a=4.9801(4) nm, b=0.41132(8) nm (with two-fold superstructure), c=2.1989(1) nm and β=99.918(6)°. These parameters and the results of a multislice simulation are in good agreement with the mineral pillaite, Cu_0.10Pb_9.16Sb_9.84S_22.94Cl_1.06O_0.5 (space group C2/m, a=4.949(1) nm, b=0.41259(8) nm, c=2.1828(4) nm, and β=99.62(3)°). Microprobe and EDX analyses yielded a chemical composition of Cu_0.507(5)Pb_8.73(9)Sb_8.15(8)I_1.6S_20.0(2) which is close to natural pillaite but contains no oxygen and iodine instead of chlorine. The structure of the investigated material is based on chains of M-S polyhedra (M=Pb or Sb) typical for the architecture of sulfosalts implying iodine atoms in trigonal prismatic coordination with Pb atoms from the M-S polyhedra of neighboring chains. The [010] superstructure of the specimen was found to be unstable under electron beam irradiation with a rapid decrease of the b lattice parameter from 0.8 to 0.4 nm within 5 min.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of [Mg(HF)2](SbF6)2 and [Ca(HF)2](SbF6)2: new examples of HF acting as a ligand to metal centres

[Mg(HF)₂](SbF₆)₂ and [Ca(HF)₂](SbF₆)₂ monocrystals were grown from the corresponding hexafluoroantimonates(V) dissolved in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. [Mg(HF)₂](SbF₆)₂ crystallizes in the space group Pnma (no. 62) with a=1249.1(4) pm, b=1230.2(4) pm, c=699.1(2) pm, V=1.0742(6) nm³, Z=4. Magnesium is octahedrally coordinated by six fluorine atoms from which two belong to two HF molecules. The structure can be represented by alternating rows of magnesium and antimony atoms running parallel to the c-axis. Magnesium atoms are connected by cis bridging Sb(2)F₆ units along the a-axis and by trans bridging Sb(1)F₆ units along the b-axis. In this way a three-dimensional network is formed.[Ca(HF)₂](SbF₆)₂ crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n (no. 14) with a=935.2(3) pm, b=1088.7(3) pm, c=1104.8(3) pm, β=106.697(5)°, V=1.0774(5) nm³, Z=4. The coordination sphere around the calcium atom consists of eight fluorine atoms which define the vertices of an Archimedean antiprism. The two HF molecules directly coordinate the calcium atom and their fluorine atoms are placed in the corners of different square faces of the Archimedean antiprism. The Ca-F(HF) distances are shorter than the Ca-F(Sb) distances. The Sb(1)F₆ and Sb(2)F₆ groups have four equatorial bridging fluorine atoms, while the Sb(3)F₆ groups have only two bridging trans F ligands. The Ca atoms in the [−1,0,1] plane are connected by equatorial F ligands of Sb(1)F₆ and Sb(2)F₆ units, forming a [Ca(SbF₆)⁺]_n layer. These layers are connected by trans bridging Sb(3)F₆ groups. HF molecules occupy the space between these layers and additionally contribute to the connection between the layers by hydrogen bonding.     

Ga-Ga bonding and tunnel framework in the new Zintl phase Ba3Ga4Sb5

A new Zintl phase Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ was obtained from the reaction of Ba and Sb in excess Ga flux at 1000°C, and its structure was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with a=13.248(3) Å, b=4.5085(9) Å, c=24.374(5) Å and Z=4. Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ has a three-dimensional [Ga₄Sb₅]⁶⁻ framework featuring large tunnels running along the b-axis and accommodating the Ba ions. The structure also has small tube-like tunnels of pentagonal and rhombic cross-sections. The structure contains ethane-like dimeric Sb₃Ga-GaSb₃ units and GaSb₄ tetrahedra that are connected to form 12- and 14-membered tunnels. Band structure calculations confirm that the material is a semiconductor and indicate that the structure is stabilized by strong Ga-Ga covalent bonding interactions.     

Crystal chemistry of Co-doped Zn7Sb2O12

Zn₇Sb₂O₁₂ forms a full range of Co-containing α solid solutions, Zn_7−xCo_xSb₂O₁₂, with an inverse-spinel structure at high temperature. At low temperatures for x<2, the solid solutions transform into the low temperature β-polymorph. For x=0, the β→α transition occurs at 1225±25 °C; the transition temperature decreases with increasing x. At high x and low temperatures, α solid solutions are formed but are non-stoichiometric; the (Zn+Co):Sb ratio is >7:2 and the compensation for the deficiency in Sb is attributed to the partial oxidation of Co²⁺ to Co³⁺. From Rietveld refinements using ND data, Co occupies both octahedral and tetrahedral sites at intermediate values of x, but an octahedral preference attributed to crystal field stabilisation, causes the lattice parameter plot to deviate negatively from the Vegard's law. Sub-solidus compatibility relations in the ternary system ZnO-Sb₂O₅-CoO have been determined at 1100 °C for the compositions containing ?50% Sb₂O₅.     

Sr11Cd6Sb12: a new Zint1 compound with infinite chains of pentagonal tubes

A new Cd-containing transition metal Zintl phase, Sr₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂, was obtained from a direct element combination reaction using the Sn flux method. Its structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with a=32.903(3) Å, b=4.7666(5) Å, c=12.6057(13) Å, β=109.752(2)°, and Z=2. Sr₁₁Cd₆Sb₁₂ has a one-dimensional infinite chain structure consisting of double pentagonal tubes, where Sr²⁺ cations reside both within two tubes and between the infinite chains of tubes. The anionic framework [Cd₆Sb₁₂]²²⁻ has features similar to those of Eu₁₀Mn₆Sb₁₃. The difference in Eu₁₀Mn₆Sb₁₃ is that its double pentagonal tubes are further condensed to form two-dimensional layers.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel Pb5Sb2MnO11 compound

The new Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ compound was synthesized using a solid-state reaction in an evacuated sealed silica tube at 650°C. The crystal structure was determined ab initio using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (a=9.0660(8)Å, b=11.489(1)Å, c=10.9426(9)Å, S.G. Cmcm, R_I=0.045, R_P=0.059). The Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ crystal structure represents a new structure type and it can be considered as quasi-one-dimensional, built up of chains running along the c-axis and consisting of alternating Mn⁺²O₇ capped trigonal prisms and Sb₂O₁₀ pairs of edge sharing Sb⁺⁵O₆ octahedra. The chains are joined together by Pb atoms located between the chains. The Pb⁺² cations have virtually identical coordination environments with a clear influence of the lone electron pair occupying one vertex of the PbO₅E octahedra. Electronic structure calculations and electron localization function distribution analysis were performed to define the nature of the structural peculiarities. Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ exhibits paramagnetic behavior down to T=5 K with Weiss constant being nearly equal to zero that implies lack of cooperative magnetic interactions.     

X-ray single crystal structures of Hg(AuF6)2 and AgFAuF6

Hg(AuF₆)₂ crystallizes at 200 K in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with a = 917.67(7) pm, b = 971.59(8) pm, c = 962.04(8) pm, and Z = 4. Mercury atoms are coordinated by eight fluorine atoms with six short and two long Hg-F contacts. HgF₈ polyhedra share their four vertices and two edges with six AuF₆ units forming a tridimensional framework.The results of X-ray diffraction analysis on single crystals of AgFAuF₆ are in agreement with previously known powder X-ray diffraction data (Casteel et al, J. Solid State Chem. 96 (1992) 84-96). AgFAuF₆ crystallizes orthorhombic in the space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 717.06(7) pm, b = 761.67(7) pm, c = 1013.61(10) pm at 200 K, Z = 4.     

(Mn1−xPbx)Pb10+ySb12−yS26−yCl4+yO, a new oxy-chloro-sulfide with ∼2 nm-spaced (Mn,Pb)Cl4 single chains within a waffle-type crystal structure

The new oxy-chloro-sulfide (Mn_1−xPb_x)Pb_10+ySb_12−yS_26−yCl_4+yO (x ∈ [0.2-0.3]; y ∈ [0.3-1.6]) was synthesized by dry way at 500-600 °C. A single crystal ∼Mn_0.7Pb_11.0Sb_11.3S_25.3Cl_4.7O indicates a monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/m, with a = 37.480(8), b = 4.1178(8), c = 18.167(4) Å, β = 106.37(3)°, V = 2690.2(9) Å³, Z = 2. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, with a final R = 5.11%. Modular analysis of the crystal structure reveals a “waffle” architecture, where complex rods with lozenge section delimitate an internal channel filled by a single chain of (Mn_0.7Pb_0.3)Cl₆ octahedra connected by opposite edges. Minimal inter-chain distances are close to 18 Å. The rod wall, two-atom thick, presents, in alternation with S atoms, Pb or (Pb,Sb) cations with prismatic coordination in the internal atom layer, while the external atom layer is constituted exclusively by Sb cations with dissymmetric square pyramidal coordination. A (Pb,Sb)₂S₂ fragment connects two successive rods along (2 0 1) to form a waffle-type palissadic layer. The unique O position, half filled, presents the same environment than the isolated O positions in the oxy-sulfide Pb₁₄Sb₃₀S₅₄O₅, or oxy-chloro-sulfides Pb₁₈Sb₂₀S₄₆Cl₂O and (Cu,Ag)₂Pb₂₁Sb₂₃S₅₅ClO. This compound belongs to a pseudo-homologous series of chalcogenides with waffle structure, ordered according to the size of their lozenge shape channel. Such a complex senary compound of the oxy-chloro-sulfide type illustrates the structural competition between three cations, on one hand, and, on the other hand, three anions. This compound is of special interest regarding the 1D distribution of magnetic Mn²⁺ atoms at the ∼2 nm scale.     

Mild hydrothermal synthesis and ferrimagnetism of Pr3Fe5O12 and Nd3Fe5O12 garnets

Two pure light rare earth iron garnets Pr₃Fe₅O₁₂ and Nd₃Fe₅O₁₂ single crystals were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Both compounds crystallize in cubic space group Ia3?d with lattice parameters a=12.670(2) Å for Pr₃Fe₅O₁₂ and a=12.633(2) Å for Nd₃Fe₅O₁₂, respectively. The synthesis of compounds was studied with regard to phase evolution and morphology development with hydrothermal conditions. We proposed the formation mechanisms and formulated a reasonable explanation for their growth habits. Ferrimagnetic Curie temperatures which have been inferred from thermo-magnetization curves were 580 K for Pr₃Fe₅O₁₂ and 565 K for Nd₃Fe₅O₁₂, and the transitions of long range order were also evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry method. The result of magnetic properties has shown that moments of the large radius Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions are parallelly coupled with net moments of iron ions.     

Ce10[Si10O9N17]Br, Nd10[Si10O9N17]Br and Nd10[Si10O9N17]Cl oxonitridosilicate halides with a new layered structure type

The isotypic oxonitridosilicate halides Ce₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Br, Nd₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Br and Nd₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Cl were obtained by the reaction of the respective lanthanide metals, their oxides and halides with “Si(NH)₂” in a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures around 1800 °C, using CsBr, resp. CsCl, as a flux. The crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Pbam, no. 55, Z=2; Ce/Br: a=10.6117(9) Å, b=11.2319(10) Å, c=11.688(8) Å, R1=0.0356; Nd/Br: a=10.523(2) Å, b=11.101(2) Å, c=11.546(2) Å, R1=0.0239; Nd/Cl: a=10.534(2) Å, b=11.109(2) Å, c=11.543(2) Å, R1=0.0253) and represent a new layered structure type. The structure refinements were performed utilizing an O/N-distribution model according to Paulings rules, i.e. nitrogen was positioned on all bridging sites and mixed O/N-occupation was assumed on the terminal sites resulting in charge neutrality of the compounds. The layers consist of condensed [SiN₂(O/N)₂] and [SiN₃(O/N)] tetrahedra of Q² and Q³ type. The chemical composition of the compounds was derived from chemical analyses for Nd₁₀[Si₁₀O₉N₁₇]Br and electron probe micro analyses (EPMA) for all three compounds. The results of IR spectroscopic investigations are reported.     

Bridgman crystal growth of Yb2Ru3Ge4—A ternary germanide with a three-dimensional network of condensed distorted RuGe5 and RuGe6 units

The germanide Yb₂Ru₃Ge₄ was synthesized from the elements using the Bridgman crystal growth technique. The monoclinic Hf₂Ru₃Si₄ type structure was investigated by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction: C2/c, Z=8, a=1993.0(3) pm, b=550.69(8) pm, c=1388.0(2) pm, β=128.383(9)°, wR₂=0.0569, 2047 F² values, and 84 variables. Yb₂Ru₃Ge₄ contains two crystallographically independent ytterbium sites with coordination numbers of 18 and 17 for Yb1 and Yb2, respectively. Each ytterbium atom has three ytterbium neighbors at Yb-Yb distances ranging from 345 to 368 pm. The shortest interatomic distances occur for the Ru-Ge contacts. The three crystallographically independent ruthenium sites have between five and six germanium neighbors in distorted trigonal bipyramidal (Ru1Ge₅) or octahedral (Ru2Ge₆ and Ru3Ge₆) coordination at Ru-Ge distances ranging from 245 to 279 pm. The Ru2 atoms form zig-zag chains running parallel to the b-axis at Ru2-Ru2 of 284 pm. The RuGe₅ and RuGe₆ units are condensed via common edges and faces leading to a complex three-dimensional [Ru₃Ge₄] network.     

A neutron diffraction study of the d and d lithium garnets Li3Nd3W2O12 and Li5La3Sb2O12

The garnets Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂ and Li₅La₃Sb₂O₁₂ have been prepared by heating the component oxides and hydroxides in air at temperatures up to 950 °C. Neutron powder diffraction has been used to examine the lithium distribution in these phases. Both compounds crystallise in the space group with lattice parameters a=12.46869(9) Å (Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂) and a=12.8518(3) Å (Li₅La₃Sb₂O₁₂). Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂ contains lithium on a filled, tetrahedrally coordinated 24d site that is occupied in the conventional garnet structure. Li₅La₃Sb₂O₁₂ contains partial occupation of lithium over two crystallographic sites. The conventional tetrahedrally coordinated 24d site is 79.3(8)% occupied. The remaining lithium is found in oxide octahedra which are linked via a shared face to the tetrahedron. This lithium shows positional disorder and is split over two positions within the octahedron and occupies 43.6(4)% of the octahedra. Comparison of these compounds with related d⁰ and d¹⁰ phases shows that replacement of a d⁰ cation with d¹⁰ cation of the same charge leads to an increase in the lattice parameter due to polarisation effects.     

Rare earth-nickel-indides Dy5Ni2In4 and RE4Ni11In20 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy)

The new rare earth metal (RE)-nickel-indides Dy₅Ni₂In₄ and RE₄Ni₁₁In₂₀ (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy) were synthesized from the elements by arc-melting. Well-shaped single crystals were obtained by special annealing sequences. The four indides were investigated by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals: Lu₅Ni₂In₄ type, Pbam, Z=2, a=1784.2(8), b=787.7(3), c=359.9(1) pm, wR₂=0.0458, 891 F² values, 36 variables for Dy₅Ni₂In₄, U₄Ni₁₁Ga₂₀ type, C2/m, a=2254.0(9), b=433.8(3), c=1658.5(8) pm, β=124.59(2)°, wR₂=0.0794, 2154 F² values, 108 variables for Gd₄Ni₁₁In₂₀, a=2249.9(8), b=432.2(1), c=1657.9(5) pm, β=124.59(2)°, wR₂=0.0417, 2147 F² values, 108 variables for Tb₄Ni₁₁In₂₀, and a=2252.2(5), b=430.6(1), c=1659.7(5) pm, β=124.58(2)°, wR₂=0.0550, 2003 F² values, 109 variables for Dy₄Ni_10.80In_20.20. The 2d site in the dysprosium compound shows mixed Ni/In occupancy. Most nickel atoms in both series of compounds exhibit trigonal prismatic coordination by indium and rare earth atoms. Additionally, in the RE₄Ni₁₁In₂₀ compounds one observes one-dimensional nickel clusters (259 pm Ni₁-Ni₆ in Dy₄Ni_10.80In_20.20) that are embedded in an indium matrix. While only one short In₁-In₂ contact at 324 pm is observed in Dy₅Ni₂In₄, the more indium-rich Dy₄Ni_10.80In_20.20 structure exhibits a broader range in In-In interactions (291-364 pm). Together the nickel and indium atoms build up polyanionic networks, a two-dimensional one in Dy₅Ni₂In₄ and a complex three-dimensional network in Dy₄Ni_10.80In_20.20. These features have a clear consequence on the dysprosium coordination, i.e. a variety of short Dy-Dy contacts (338-379 pm) in Dy₅Ni₂In₄, while the dysprosium atoms are well separated (430 pm shortest Dy-Dy distance) within the distorted hexagonal channels of the [Ni_10.80In_20.20] polyanion of Dy₄Ni_10.80In_20.20. The crystal chemistry of both structure types is comparatively discussed.