Neue ternäre Germanide: Die Verbindungen Ln4Zn5Ge6 (Ln: Gd,Tm, Lu)

New Ternary Germanides: The Compounds Ln ₄Zn₅Ge₆ ( Ln : Gd, Tm, Lu) Three new ternary germanides were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements. Gd₄Zn₅Ge₆ (a = 4.249(3), b = 18.663(17), c = 15.423(6) Å), Tm₄Zn₅Ge₆ (a = 4.190(1), b = 18.410(5), c = 15.105(5) Å), and Lu₄Zn₅Ge₆ (a = 4.179(1), b = 18.368(4), c = 15.050(3) Å) are isotypic and crystallize in a new structure type (Cmc2₁; Z = 4), composed of edge‐ and corner‐sharing ZnGe₄ tetrahedra. The rare‐earth atoms fill channels of the Zn,Ge network running along the a axis and predominantly have an octahedral coordination of Ge atoms or a pentagonal prismatic environment of Zn and Ge atoms. The ZnGe₄ tetrahedra are orientated to each other so that two of six Ge atoms form pairs, while the other ones have no homonuclear contacts. This is in accord with an ionic splitting of the formula: (Ln³⁺)₄(Zn²⁺)₅(Ge^3–)₂(Ge^4–)₄. LMTO band structure calculations support the interpretation of bondings derived from interatomic distances. The metallic conductivity of these compounds expected from the electronic band structure was confirmed by measurements of the electrical resistance of Tm₄Zn₅Ge₆.     

Neue Thiophosphate: Die Verbindungen Li6Ln3(PS4)5 (Ln: Y,Gd, Dy,Yb, Lu) und Ag3Y(PS4)2

New Thiophosphates: The Compounds Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) and Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ The new thiophosphates Li₆Ln₃(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Y, Gd, Dy, Yb, Lu) were synthesized by heating mixtures of Ln, P, S, and Li₂S₄ at 900 °C (100 h) and they were investigated by single crystal X‐ray methods. The compounds with Ln = Y (a = 28.390(2), b = 10.068(1), c = 33.715(2) Å, β = 113.85(1)°), Gd (a = 28.327(2), b = 10.074(1), c = 33.822(2) Å, β = 114.297(7)°), Dy (a = 28.124(6), b = 10.003(2), c = 33.486(7) Å, β = 113.89(3)°), Yb (a = 28.178(3), b = 9.977(1), c = 33.392(4) Å, β = 113.65(1)°), and Lu (a = 28.169(6), b = 10.002(2), c = 33.432(7) Å, β = 113.54(3)°) are isotypic and crystallize in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 12). Main feature are PS₄ tetrahedra isolated from each other surrounding the Ln and Li atoms via their S atoms. The coordination number of the five crystallographically independent Ln atoms is eight, but the polyhedra are quite different and they are interlinked to larger units extending in [010]. The environment of the Li atoms is irregular and formed by five to six S atoms. The crystal structure is compared with that of Li₉Ln₂(PS₄)₅ (Ln: Nd, Gd). For the synthesis of Ag₃Y(PS₄)₂ (a = 16.874(3), b = 9.190(2), c = 9.312(2) Å, β = 123.17(3)°) a mixture of Y, P, S, and Ag₂S was heated to 700 °C (50 h). The thiophosphate crystallizes in a new structure type (C2/c; Z = 4) composed of isolated PS₄ tetrahedra. The two crystallographically independent Ag atoms are surrounded by four S atoms in the shape of distorted tetrahedra. The Ag(1)S₄ polyhedra are cornershared to strands running along [001], which are linked together via Ag(2)S₄ tetrahedra. The environment of the Y atoms is composed of eight S atoms each building distorted square antiprisms. These polyhedra are connected with each other via common edges to a strand running along [001].     

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.     

Tetrafluoroaurate(III) der Lanthaniden M2F[AuF4]5 (M = Tb,Dy, Ho,Er)

Tetrafluoroaurates(III) of Lanthanoides M₂F[AuF₄]₅ (M = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) Tetrafluoroaurates(III) M₂F[AuF₄]₅ with M = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, all yellow, have been obtained. From single crystal data they crystallize triclinic, space group P1 -C¹_i (No. 2) with Tb: a = 1 194,34(7) pm, b = 798,46(6) pm, c = 902,02(7) pm, α = 89,033(7)°, β = 88,990(6)°, γ = 89,006(7)°; Dy: a = 1 191,66(9) pm, b = 796,33(8) pm, c = 899,65(9) pm, α = 88,956(8)°, β = 89,056(8)°, γ = 88,972(8)°; Ho: a = 1 189,06(10) pm, b = 795,46(6) pm, c = 896,81(7) pm, α = 88,912(8)°, β = 89,101(7)°, γ = 88,873(8)°; Er: a = 1 185,20(40), b = 793,98(14), c = 893,83(20), α = 88,751(23)°, β = 89,187(26)°, γ = 88,884(9)°     

Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen von neuen Alkalimetall‐Selten‐Erd‐Telluriden der Zusammensetzungen KLnTe2 (Ln = La,Pr, Nd,Gd), RbLnTe2 (Ln = Ce,Nd) und CsLnTe2 (Ln = Nd)

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of New Alkali Metal Rare‐Earth Tellurides of the Compositions KLnTe₂ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Gd), RbLnTe₂ (Ln = Ce, Nd) and CsLnTe₂ (Ln = Nd) Of the compounds ALnQ₂ (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; Ln = rare earth‐metal; Q = S, Se, Te) the crystal structures of the new tellurides KLaTe₂, KPrTe₂, KNdTe₂, KGdTe₂, RbCeTe₂, RbNdTe₂, and CsNdTe₂ were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analyses. They all crystallize in the α‐NaFeO₂ type with space group R3¯m and three formula units in the unit cell. The lattice parameters are: KLaTe₂: a = 466.63(3) pm, c = 2441.1(3) pm; KPrTe₂: a = 459.73(2) pm, c = 2439.8(1) pm; KNdTe₂: a = 457.83(3) pm, c = 2443.9(2) pm; KGdTe₂: a = 449.71(2) pm, c = 2443.3(1) pm; RbCeTe₂: a = 465.18(2) pm, c = 2533.6(2) pm; RbNdTe₂: a = 459.80(3) pm, c = 2536.5(2) pm, and CsNdTe₂: a = 461.42(3) pm, c = 2553.9(3) pm. Characteristics of the α‐NaFeO₂ structure type as an ordered substitutional variant of the rock‐salt (NaCl) type are layers of corner‐sharing [(A⁺/Ln³⁺)(Te^2—)₆] octahedra with a layerwise alternating occupation by the cations A⁺ and Ln³⁺.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare Earth Iodates from the Corresponding Periodates: II1). Synthesis and Structures of Ln(IO3)3 (Ln = Pr,Nd, Sm,Eu, Gd,Tb, Ho,Er) and Ln(IO3)3 · 2H2O (Ln = Eu,Gd, Dy,Er, Tm,Yb)

Single crystals of lanthanide iodates have been quickly grown by decomposition of the corresponding periodates under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction showed that two structure types form with the elements from Pr‐Yb, an anhydrous form for Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er and a dihydrate for Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Tm, Yb. A detailed structure study is presented for one representative of each of these types, along with structure type and lattice parameters for the other materials. Tb(IO₃)₃: Space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 120 K: a = 7.102(1), b = 8.468(1), c = 13.355(2)Å, β = 99.67(1)°; R1 = 0.034. Yb(IO₃)₃ · 2H₂O: Space group P1¯, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at 120 K: a = 7.013(1), b = 7.370(1), c = 10.458(2)Å, α = 95.250(5), β = 105.096(5), γ = 109.910(10)°; R1 = 0.024.     

Crystal Structure of the RE2PbS4 (RE = Y,Dy, Ho,Er, and Tm) Compounds and a Comparison with the Crystal Structures of other Rare Earth Lead Chalcogenides

The crystal structure of the RE₂PbS₄ (RE = Y, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) compounds (space group Cmc2₁, Pearson symbol oC112, a = 0.79301(3) nm, b = 2.86966(9) nm, c = 1.20511(5) nm, R_Bragg = 0.0979 for Y₂PbS₄; a = 0.79484(8) nm, b = 2.8721(3) nm, c = 1.2039(1) nm, for Dy₂PbS₄; a = 0.79081(2) nm, b = 2.86222(7) nm, c = 1.20220(4) nm, R_Bragg = 0.0859 for Ho₂PbS₄; a = 0.7863(2) nm, b = 2.8525(5) nm, c = 1.1995(2) nm, R1 = 0.0482 for Er₂PbS₄ and a = 0.78419(3) nm, b = 2.84184(9) nm, c = 1.19655(4) nm, R_Bragg = 0.0893 for Tm₂PbS₄) was investigated by means of X‐ray single crystal and powder diffraction. Each RE atoms is octahedrally coordinated by six S atoms. Each Pb atoms is surrounded by seven S atoms to form a mono‐capped trigonal prism.     

Die erste Verbindung mit Mn2+ der Stoffklasse BaMLn2O5: BaMnDy2O5

The First Compound of BaMLn₂O₅-Type Containing Mn²⁺: BaMnDy₂O₅ Single crystals of the hitherto unknown compound BaMnDy₂O₅ were prepared by CO₂-Laser technique and H₂ atmosphere. Four circle diffractometer measurements led to space group D¹⁶_2h-Pnma, a = 12.428; b = 5.766; c = 7.143 Å; Z = 4. It is isotypic to BaCuSm₂O₅ and shows Mn²⁺ in square pyramids of oxygen.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Optical and Magnetic Properties of Some CsLnCoQ3 Compounds (Ln = Tm and Yb,Q = S; Ln = Ho and Yb,Q = Se)

The four new compounds CsTmCoS₃, CsYbCoS₃, CsHoCoSe₃, and CsYbCoSe₃ have been synthesized at 1123 K. These black‐colored isostructural compounds crystallize in the KZrCuS₃ structure type with four formula units in space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system. The structure of these compounds is composed of layers separated by Cs atoms. Because there are no Q–Q bonds, the formal oxidation states of Cs/Ln/Co/Q are 1+/3+/2+/2?, respectively. CsHoCoSe₃ shows paramagnetic behavior with μ_eff = 11.9(1) μ_B, whereas CsYbCoS₃ displays an antiferromagnetic‐like transition at ～2.7 K with μ_eff = 5.85(1) μ_B. Both CsYbCoS₃ and CsYbCoSe₃ exhibit optical band gaps in the near infrared region and broad absorption bands at lower energies.     

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.     

The carbides RE2MnC4 (RE = Y,Er, Tm) with Er2FeC4-type structure

The title compounds were prepared from coldpressed pellets of the elemental components by arcmelting. They crystallize with the orthorhombic Er₂FeC₄-type structure, which was refined from X-ray data of an Er₂MnC₄ single crystal: Ibam, a = 760.4(1)pm, b = 937.1(1)pm, c = 504.0(1)pm, R = 0.021 for 524 structure factors and 17 variable parameters. Y₂MnC₄ does not become superconducting down to 1.7 K. Chemical bonding in these compounds is briefly discussed.     

Neue Oxometallate vom BaCuSm2O6-Typ: BaCoHo2O5, BaCoYb2O5 und vom BaNiLn2O5-Typ: BaCoEr2O5

Inhaltsübersicht. (I) BaCoHo₂O₅, (II) BaCoYb₂O₅ und (III) BaCoEr₂O₅ wurden neu dargestellt und an Einkristallen mit Röntgenbeugungsmethoden die Kristallstruktur bestimmt. (I) und (II) gehören zum BaCuSm₂O₅-Typ mit (I): A = 12,267; b = 5,714; c = 7,064 Å; Z = 4; (II): A = 12,138; b = 5,662; c = 7,004 Å; Z = 4. Beide kristallisieren in der Raumgruppe D¹⁶_2h–Pnma. (III) kristallisiert im BaNiLn₂O₅-Typ, Raumgruppe D²⁵_2h–Immm mit a = 3,734; b = 5,770; c = 11,421 Å; Z = 2. Die Koordination um Co²⁺ wechselt von (I, II) nach (III) von tetragonal pyramidal nach oktaedrisch. New Oxides of the BaCuSm₂O₅-Type: BaCoHo₂O₅, BaCoYb₂O₅, and of the BaNiLn₂O₅ Type: BaCoEr₂O₅ (I) BaCoHo₂O₅, (II) BaCoYb₂O₅, and (III) BaCoEr₂O₅ are new compounds prepared by high temperature reactions. X-ray single crystal work show: (I) and (II) belong to the BaCuSm₂O₅-type (space group D¹⁶_2h-Pnma, Z = 4). (I): A = 12.267; b = 5.714; c = 7.064 Å; (II): A = 12.138; b = 5.662; c = 7,004 Å. (III) crystallizes with BaNiLn₂O₅-structure, space group D²⁵_2h-Immm; Z = 2; a = 3.734; b = 5.770; c = 11.421 Å; within (I) and (II) Co²⁺ has a tetragonal pyramidal coordination by oxygen. The coordination changes in (III) to a compressed octehedral O^2– surrounding.     

Structure determination of KScS2, RbScS2 and KLnS2 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm and Yb) and crystal–chemical discussion

The title structures of KScS₂ (potassium scandium sulfide), RbScS₂ (rubidium scandium sulfide) and KLnS₂ [Ln = Nd (potassium neodymium sufide), Sm (potassium samarium sulfide), Tb (potassium terbium sulfide), Dy (potassium dysprosium sulfide), Ho (potassium holmium sulfide), Er (potassium erbium sulfide), Tm (potassium thulium sulfide) and Yb (potassium ytterbium sulfide)] are either newly determined (KScS₂, RbScS₂ and KTbS₂) or redetermined. All of them belong to the α‐NaFeO₂ structure type in agreement with the ratio of the ionic radii r³⁺/r⁺. KScS₂, the member of this structural family with the smallest trivalent cation, is an extreme representative of these structures with rare earth trivalent cations. The title structures are compared with isostructural alkali rare earth sulfides in plots showing the dependence of several relevant parameters on the trivalent cation crystal radius; the parameters thus compared are c, a and c/a, the thicknesses of the S—S layers which contain the respective constituent cations, the sulfur fractional coordinates z(S²⁻) and the bond‐valence sums.     

Neue Germanide mit geordneter Ce3Pt4Ge6‐Struktur – Die Verbindungen Ln3Pt4Ge6 (Ln: Pr–Dy)

New Germanides with an Ordered Variant of the Ce₃Pt₄Ge₆ Type of Structure – The Compounds Ln₃Pt₄Ge₆ (Ln: Pr–Dy) Six new germanides Ln₃Pt₄Ge₆ with Ln = Pr–Dy were synthesized by heating mixtures of the elements at 900 °C, annealing the inhomogeneous powders at 1050‐1100 °C for six days and then cooling down from 700 °C in the course of two months. The crystal structures of Pr₃Pt₄Ge₆ (a = 26.131(5), b = 4.399(1), c = 8.820(2) Å), Sm₃Pt₄Ge₆ (a = 25.974(3), b = 4.356(1), c = 8.748(1) Å), and Dy₃Pt₄Ge₆ (a = 26.079(5), b = 4.311(1), c = 8.729(2) Å) were determined by single crystal X‐ray methods. The compounds are isotypic (Pnma, Z = 4) and crystallize with an ordered variant of the Ce₃Pt₄Ge₆ type of structure (Cmcm, Z = 2) consisting of CaBe₂Ge₂‐ and YIrGe₂‐analogous units. The platinum atoms are located in distorted square pyramids of germanium atoms and build up with them a three‐dimensional network. The coordination polyhedra of the platinum and germanium atoms around the rare‐earth metal atoms are pentagonal and hexagonal prisms. These are completed by some additional atoms resulting in coordination numbers of 14 and 15 respectively. The other germanides were investigated by powder methods resulting in the following lattice constants: a = 26.067(6), b = 4.388(1), c = 8.800(2) Å for Ln = Nd; a = 25.955(7), b = 4.337(1), c = 8.728(2) Å for Ln = Gd; a = 25.944(5), b = 4.322(1), c = 8.698(2) Å for Ln = Tb. The atomic arrangement of Ln₃Pt₄Ge₆ is compared with the well‐known monoclinic structure of Y₃Pt₄Ge₆.     

Ln2(ClO4)2(H2I2O10) · 8H2O (Ln = Sm,Gd), a Lanthanide Perchlorate Mesodiperiodate forming a Novel Layer Structure

By slow evaporation of solutions containing Ln(ClO₄)₃ (Ln = Sm, Gd), H₅IO₆ and an excess of HClO₄, crystals of the title compounds could be obtained. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system, space group P2₁/c. They contain Ln³⁺ ions, which are coordinated by [H₂I₂O₁₀]^4— anions forming two‐dimensional, cationic networks. These are separated by perchlorate ions, forming a layered structure.     

Fluoroplatinate(IV) der Lanthaniden LnF[PtF6]. (Ln = Pr,Sm, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er)

Fluoroplatinates(IV) of the Lanthanides LnF[PtF₆] (Ln = Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) For the first time fluorides LnF[PtF₆] (Ln = Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er), all yellow have been obtained. From single crystal data they crystallize monoclinic, space group P2₁/n?C (No. 14), Z = 4, Pr: a = 1 125.77(19) pm, b = 559.04(7) pm, c = 910.27(17) pm, β = 107.29(1)°; Sm: a = 1 114.63(31) pm, b = 552.70(12) pm, c = 898.02(20) pm, β = 107.24(2)°; Gd: a = 1 112.12(15) pm, b = 551.22(7) pm, c = 891.99(11) pm, β = 107.09(1)°; Tb (Powder data): a = 1 108.88(20) pm, b = 552.71(9) pm, c = 889.56(16) pm, β = 107.30(1)°; Dy: a = 1 100.28(23) pm, b = 547.77(8) pm, c = 882.41(13) pm, β = 107.32(1); Ho: a = 1 099.11(16) pm, b = 546.16(7) pm, c = 879.45(15) pm, β = 107.34(1)°; Er: a = 1 095.10(16) pm, b = 544.82(10) pm, c = 874.85(14) pm, β = 107.37(1)°.     

Ca_2YSbO_6:RE~(3+)磷光体温度猝灭的研究(RE=Sm,Eu,Dy,H0,Er)

木文研究了Ca_2YSbO_6:RE~(3+)(RE=Sm,Eu,Dy,Ho,Er)等磷光体的荧光强度随温度的变化规律。发现所研究的磷光体随温度的增加荧光强度趋于下降。定性地解释了热猝灭的原因及Dy~(3+)离子的黄兰发射强度之比R与温变的关系。     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the Cyclotriphosphate Hydrates Nd(P3O9)·3H2O,Nd(P3O9)·4.5H2O,RE(P3O9)·5H2O (RE = Pr,Nd), and Na3RE(P3O9)2·6H2O (RE = Pr,Nd)

Several rare‐earth cyclotriphosphate hydrates were obtained from mixtures of sodium cyclotriphosphates and the respective rare‐earth chlorides. Nd(P₃O₉) · 3H₂O [P$\bar{6}$ , Z = 3, a = 677.90(9), c = 608.67(9) pm, R₁ = 0.016, wR₂ = 0.038, 312 data, 36 parameters] was obtained by a solid state reaction and is isotypic with respective rare‐earth phosphate hydrates, while all the others adopt new structure types. Nd(P₃O₉) · 4.5H₂O [C2/c, Z = 8, a = 1644.6(3), b = 756.11(15), c = 1856.1(4) pm, β = 97.25(3)°, R₁ = 0.032, wR₂ = 0.081, 1763 data, 194 parameters], Nd(P₃O₉) · 5H₂O [P2₁/c, Z = 4, a = 773.75(15), b = 1149.1(2), c = 1394.9(3) pm, β = 106.07(3)°, R₁ = 0.042, wR₂ = 0.082, 1338 data, 194 parameters], Pr(P₃O₉) · 5H₂O [P$\bar{1}$ , Z = 2, a = 745.64(15), b = 889.07(18), c = 934.55(19) pm, α = 79.00(3), β = 80.25(3), γ = 66.48(3), R₁ = 0.059, wR2 = 0.089, 1468 data, 193 parameters], Na₃Nd(P₃O₉)₂ · 6H₂O [P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 1059.78(18), b = 1207.25(15), c = 1645.7(4) pm, β = 99.742(17), R₁ = 0.047, wR₂ = 0.119, 1109 data, 351 parameters] and Na₃Pr(P₃O₉)₂ · 6H₂O [P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 1061.42(16), b = 1209.0(2), c = 1635.5(3) pm, β = 99.841(13), R₁ = 0.035, wR₂ = 0.062, 1323 data, 350 parameters] were obtained by careful crystallization at room temperature. A thorough structure discussion is given. The infrared spectrum of Nd(P₃O₉) · 4.5H₂O is also reported.     

Ternary rare earth metal boride carbides containing two-dimensional boron–carbon network: The crystal and electronic structure of R2B4C (R=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er)

The ternary rare earth boride carbides R₂B₄C (R=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) have been synthesized by reacting the elements at temperatures between 1800 and 2000K. The crystal structure of Dy₂B₄C has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in a new structure type in the orthorhombic space group Immm (a=3.2772(6) Å, b=6.567(2) Å, c=7.542(1) Å, Z=2, R1=0.035 (wR₂=0.10) for 224 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o)). Boron atoms form infinite chains of fused B₆ rings in [100] joined with carbon atoms into planar, two-dimensional networks which alternate with planar sheets of rare earth metal atoms. The electronic structure of Dy₂B₄C was also analyzed using the tight-binding extended Hückel method.