Crystal structure of Ca2Ln3Sb3O14 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Y): A novel variant of weberite

The crystal structures of Ca₂Ln₃Sb₃O₁₄ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Y) and Ca₂Sb₂O₇ at room temperature were refined by the Rietveld method using combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Ca₂Sb₂O₇ adopts the weberite structure having the space group Imma. The structures of Ca₂Ln₃Sb₃O₁₄ are, however, neither the orthorhombic nor the tetragonal chiolite as has been suggested previously. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group I2/m11 belonging to a hitherto unknown type of deformation of the parent (orthorhombic) weberite structure.     

Crystal structures and chemistry of double perovskites Ba2M(II)M′(VI)O6 (M=Ca, Sr, M′=Te, W, U)

Structures of the double perovskites Ba₂M(II)M ′(VI)O₆ (M=Ca, Sr, M′=Te, W, U) at room temperature have been investigated by the Rietveld method using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. For double perovskites with M=Sr, the observed space groups are I2/m (M′ =W) and (M′=Te), respectively. In the case of M=Ca, the space groups are either monoclinic P2₁/n (M′=U) or cubic (M′=W and Te). The tetragonal and orthorhombic symmetry reported earlier for Ba₂SrTeO₆ and Ba₂CaUO₆, respectively, were not observed. In addition, non-ambient X-ray diffraction data were collected and analyzed for Ba₂SrWO₆ and Ba₂CaWO₆ in the temperature range between 80 and 723 K. It was found that the rhombohedral structure exists in Ba₂SrWO₆ above room temperature between the monoclinic and the cubic structure, whereas the cubic Ba₂CaWO₆ undergoes a structural phase transition at low temperature to the tetragonal I4/m structure.     

The first rubidium rare-earth(III) thiophosphates: Rb3M3[PS4]4 (M=Pr, Er)

The two non-isotypical rubidium rare-earth(III) thiophosphates Rb₃M₃[PS₄]₄ of praseodymium and erbium can easily be obtained by the stoichiometric reaction of the respective rare-earth metal, red phosphorus and sulfur with an excess of rubidium bromide (RbBr) as flux and rubidium source at 950°C for 14 days in evacuated silica tubes. The pale green platelet-shaped single crystals of Rb₃Pr₃[PS₄]₄ as well as the pink rods of Rb₃Er₃[PS₄]₄ are moisture sensitive. Rb₃Pr₃[PS₄]₄ crystallizes triclinically in the space group (, , , α=84.329(4)°, β=88.008(4)°, γ=80.704(4)°; Z=2), Rb₃Er₃[PS₄]₄ monoclinically in the space group P2₁/n (, , , β=95.601(6)°; Z=4). In both structures, there are three crystallographically different rare-earth cations present. (M1)³⁺ is eightfold coordinated in the shape of a square antiprism, (M2)³⁺ and (M3)³⁺ are both surrounded by eight sulfur atoms as bicapped trigonal prisms each with a coordination number of eight as well as for the praseodymium, but better described as CN=7+1 in the case of the erbium compound. These [MS₈]¹³⁻ polyhedra form a layer according to by sharing edges with the isolated [PS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra (d(P-S)=200-209 pm, ?(S-P-S)=102-116°). These layers are stacked with a repetition period of three in the case of the praseodymium compound, but of only two for the erbium analog. The rubidium cation (Rb1)⁺ is located in cavities of these layers and tenfold coordinated in the shape of a tetracapped trigonal antiprism. The also tenfold but more irregularly coordinated rubidium cations (Rb2)⁺ and (Rb3)⁺ reside between the layers.     

Rare-earth-rich tellurides: Gd4NiTe2 and Er5M2Te2 (M=Co, Ni)

Three new rare earth metal-rich compounds, Gd₄NiTe₂, and Er₅M₂Te₂ (M=Ni, Co), were synthesized in direct reactions using R, R₃M, and R₂Te₃ (R=Gd, Er; M=Co, Ni) and single-crystal structures were determined. Gd₄NiTe₂ is orthorhombic and crystallizes in space group Pnma with four formula units per cell. Lattice parameters at 110(2) K are a=15.548(9), b=4.113(2), . Er₅Ni₂Te₂ and Er₅Co₂Te₂ are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with two formula units per cell. Lattice parameters at 110(2) K are a=3.934(1), b=14.811(4), , and a=3.898(1), b=14.920(3), , respectively. Metal-metal bonding correlations were analyzed using the empirical Pauling bond order concept.     

New Ba5M5−xPtxClO13 (M=Fe, Co) oxychlorides with layered perovskite-related structure

Crystals of Ba₅Fe_5−xPt_xClO₁₃ and Ba₅Co_5−yPt_yClO₁₃ were prepared for x=1.31, 1.51, 1.57, 1.59 and y=0, 0.97 and 1.08 in a BaCl₂ flux and investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. These compounds adopt a 10H perovskite structure built from the stacking of BaO₃ and BaOCl layers in the sequence (BaO₃)₄(BaOCl) with space group P6₃/mmc. The cation sites within the trimeric unit of face-sharing octahedra are occupied by Co or Fe and Pt ions, while the tetrahedral sites formed between BaO₃ and BaOCl layers are only occupied by Fe or Co. Moreover, oxygen stoichiometry indicates an average oxidation state for Co and Fe higher than +III, indicating the stabilization of Co⁴⁺ and Fe⁴⁺.     

Ab initio study on structure and phase transition of A- and B-type rare-earth sesquioxides Ln2O3 (Ln=La-Lu, Y, and Sc) based on density function theory

Ab initio energetic calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) and projector augmented wave (PAW) pseudo-potentials method were performanced to determine the crystal structural parameters and phase transition data of the polymorphic rare-earth sesquioxides Ln₂O₃ (where Ln=La-Lu, Y, and Sc) with A-type (hexagonal) and B-type (monoclinic) configurations at ground state. The calculated results agree well with the limited experimental data and the critically assessed results. A set of systematic and self-consistent crystal structural parameters, energies and pressures of the phase transition were established for the whole series of the A- and B-type rare-earth sesquioxides Ln₂O₃. With the increase of the atomic number, the ionic radii of rare-earth elements Ln and the volumes of the sesquioxides Ln₂O₃ reflect the so-called “lanthanide contraction”. With the increase of the Ln³⁺-cation radius, the bulk modulus of Ln₂O₃ decreases and the polymorphic structures show a degenerative tendency.     

Crystal structure of LiLnW2O8 (Ln=lanthanides and Y): An X-ray powder diffraction study

Crystal structures that occur in LiLnW₂O₈ (Ln=lanthanides and Y) have been studied using Rietveld profile analysis of X-ray diffraction data. Two types of structures were observed. The scheelite structure of the space group I4₁/a is adopted for compounds containing large lanthanides Ln=La-Gd. For smaller lanthanides (Ln=Dy-Lu and Y) the wolframite structure with the space group P2/n is observed. In LiTbW₂O₈, both structures occur. The phase transition between the two is a slow process making the obtainment of pure low temperature phase (wolframite) difficult. The space groups P1? and P2, recently reported for LiEuW₂O₈ and LiYW₂O₈, have not been observed in this series of compounds.     

New insight into the symmetry and the structure of the double perovskites Ba2LnNbO6 (Ln=lanthanides and Y)

Structures of the double perovskites Ba₂LnNbO₆ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Y) at room temperature have been re-examined by Rietveld profile analysis of X-ray diffraction data. It was shown that the correct phase sequence across the lanthanides is I2/m (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, and Sm), I4/m (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy), and (Ln=Ho and Y), respectively. All phases can be derived from the ideal cubic perovskite by ordering the Ln(III) and Nb(V) ions and by out-of-phase tilting the LnO₆/NbO₆ octahedra around either the primitive two-fold [110]_p-axis (I2/m) or the four-fold [001]_p-axis (I4/m). The monoclinic P2₁/n structure that contains both out-of-phase and in-phase tilt around the primitive [110]_p- and [001]_p-axis, respectively, has not been observed for this series of compounds.     

Preparation and structure of the light rare-earth copper selenides LnCuSe2 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm)

The ternary selenides LnCuSe₂ (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) have been synthesized by the reaction at 1173 K of Ln, Cu, and Se in a KBr or KI flux. The compounds, which are isostructural with LaCuS₂, crystallize with four formula units in the space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system. The structure may be thought of as consisting of layers of CuSe₄ tetrahedra separated by double layers of LnSe₇ monocapped trigonal prisms along the a-axis. Cell constants (Å or deg) at 153 K are: LaCuSe₂, 6.8142(5), 7.5817(6), 7.2052(6), 97.573(1)°; CeCuSe₂, 6.7630(5), 7.5311(6), 7.1650(6), 97.392(1)°; PrCuSe₂, 6.740(1), 7.481(1), 7.141(1), 97.374(2)°; NdCuSe₂, 6.7149(6), 7.4452(7), 7.1192(6), 97.310(1)°; SmCuSe₂, 6.6655(6), 7.3825(7), 7.0724(6), 97.115(1)°. There are no Se-Se bonds in the structure of LnCuSe₂; the formal oxidation states of Ln/Cu/Se are 3+/1+/2−.     

X-ray and neutron powder diffraction study of the double perovskites Ba2LnSbO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Sm)

The crystal structures of Ba₂LnSbO₆ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd and Sm) at room temperature have been investigated by profile analysis of the Rietveld method using either combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data or X-ray powder diffraction data. It has been shown that the structure of Ba₂LnSbO₆ with Ln =La, Pr and Nd are neither monoclinic nor cubic as were previously reported. They are rhombohedral with the space group . The distortion from cubic symmetry is due to the rotation of the LnO₆/SbO₆ octahedra about the primitive cubic [111]_p-axis. On the other hand, the structure of Ba₂SmSbO₆ is found to be cubic. All compounds contain an ordered arrangement of LnO₆ and SbO₆ octahedra.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of CaY2Ge3O10 and CaY2Ge4O12

New compounds CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ and CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ were prepared by heating mixtures of CaCO₃, Y₂O₃ and GeO₂ at 1200 °C. CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ is stable at 1300 °C, while CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ decomposes into a melt and CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ at approximately 1250 °C. We obtained single crystals of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ by cooling a sample with an initial composition of Ca:Y:Ge=1:2:8 from 1300 °C with a rate of −6 °C/h. The crystal structure of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=6.0906(8), b=6.8329(8), and β=109.140(3)°, Z=4, and R₁=0.029 for I>2σ(I). In the structure of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀, Ca and Y atoms are situated disorderly in three 7-fold coordination sites between isolated germanate groups of triple GeO₄ tetrahedra, Ge₃O₁₀. The structural formula of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ is expressed as (Ca_0.45Y_0.55)(Ca_0.46Y_0.54)(Ca_0.09Y_0.91)Ge₃O₁₀. The crystal structure of CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ was analyzed by the Rietveld method for the X-ray powder diffraction pattern. CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ is isotypic with SrNa₂P₄O₁₂, crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group P4/nbm, a=9.99282(6), , Z=2, R_wp=0.092, R_p=0.067. CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ contains four-membered GeO₄-tetrahedra rings, Ge₄O₁₂. Eight-fold coordinated square-anitiprism sites and 6-fold octahedral sites between the layers of the Ge₄O₁₂ rings are occupied by Y atom and Ca/Y atoms, respectively The structural formula is Y(Ca_0.5Y_0.5)₂Ge₄O₁₂.     

Synthesis and structure of a new family of phases, A2MGe5O12: A = Rb,Cs; M = Be,Mg, Co,Zn

A new family of eight germanate phases, A₂MGe₅O₁₂: A = Rb, Cs; M = Be, Mg, Co, Zn, has been synthesized. They are cubic with a in the range 13.7 to 14.0 Å, Z = 8, and space group $\text{I}\text{4}\text{3d}$. These phases, named the β phases, are isostructural with KBSi₂O₆ which has a structure related to that of pollucite, CsAlSi₂O₆. The structure of one, Rb₂ZnGe₅O₁₂, has been refined to an R value of 0.079 using X-ray powder diffraction data. Several of the new phases are polymorphic. Cs₂ZnGe₅O₁₂, Cs₂CoGe₅O₁₂, and Rb₂MgGe₅O₁₂ form low-temperature, δ polymorphs which have primitive cubic unit cells. Rb₂ZnGe₅O₁₂ forms a low-temperature, ε polymorph which is probably a tetragonal distortion of the β structure.     

Synthesis and structure analysis of tetragonal Li7La3Zr2O12 with the garnet-related type structure

We have successfully synthesized a high-purity polycrystalline sample of tetragonal Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂. Single crystals have been also grown by a flux method. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis verifies that tetragonal Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ has the garnet-related type structure with a space group of I4₁/acd (no. 142). The lattice constants are a=13.134(4) Å and c=12.663(8) Å. The garnet-type framework structure is composed of two types of dodecahedral LaO₈ and octahedral ZrO₆. Li atoms occupy three crystallographic sites in the interstices of this framework structure, where Li(1), Li(2), and Li(3) atoms are located at the tetrahedral 8a site and the distorted octahedral 16f and 32g sites, respectively. The structure is also investigated by the Rietveld method with X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. These diffraction patterns are identified as the tetragonal Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ structure determined from the single-crystal data. The present tetragonal Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ sample exhibits a bulk Li-ion conductivity of σ_b=1.63×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ and grain-boundary Li-ion conductivity of σ_gb=5.59×10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ at 300 K. The activation energy is estimated to be E_a=0.54 eV in the temperature range of 300–560 K.     

Structural investigation of R2Mo4O15 (R=La, Nd, Sm), and polymorphs of the R2Mo4O15 (R=rare earth) family

Pyrolysis of rare earth (R) polyoxomolybdate, [R₂(H₂O)₁₂Mo₈O₂₇]·xH₂O (R=La, Nd and Sm), at 750°C for 2-8 h results in crystallization of R₂Mo₄O₁₅ compounds. β-La₂Mo₄O₁₅ crystallizes together with an α-form in monoclinic P2₁/a (No. 14), a=13.8893(5), b=13.0757(4), c=20.0927(8) Å, β=95.199(2)°, V=3634.1(2) Å³, Z=12, R₁(I>2σ(I))=0.048, R_w (all data)=0.116. The structure is built up with {LaO_n} (n=9, 10) and {MoO_n′} (n′=4-6) polyhedral units. The {LaO_n} units are polymerized into a linear {La₆O₃₉}_∞ chain, while the {MoO_n} are connected together to form {Mo₄O₁₅} and {Mo₇O₂₆} groups. The structure can be related to the α-form by partial rearrangement of O atoms and small shifts of La and Mo atoms. The R₂Mo₄O₁₅ (R=Nd and Sm) compounds are isomorphous with the previously reported R=Eu and Gd analogs, crystallizing in triclinic, (No. 2), a=9.4989(5) and 9.4076(7), b=11.0088(7) and 10.9583(8), c=11.5665(6) and 11.5234(8) Å, α=104.141(3) and 104.225(3), β=109.838(3) and 109.603(3), γ=108.912(3) and 108.999(3)°, V=987.3(1) and 970.5(1) Å³, Z=3, R₁(I>2σ(I))=0.028 and 0.030, R_w (all data)= 0.079 and 0.094, respectively. The crystal structure is composed of {RO₈} and {MoO_n′} (n′=4-6) polyhedral units. The molybdate units are condensed to give a corrugated {Mo₄O₁₇}_∞ chain. The square-antiprismatic {RO₈} units share their trigonal and square faces, forming {R₂O₁₃} and {R₂O₁₂} groups, respectively. A very short R?R distance (3.557(6) Å for R=Nd; 3.4956(6) Å for R=Sm) is achieved in the latter unusual {R₂O₁₂} group. A common cationic arrangement was found in all the structures in the R₂Mo₄O₁₅ family: a R-R pair with the shortest separation and surrounding 12 Mo atoms. The symmetry of the cationic arrangement was reduced with an increase of atomic number of R, viz. La>Ce, Pr>Nd-Gd≈Tb, Ho.     

Syntheses and characterization of zero-dimensional molybdoantimonites, A2(Mo4Sb2O18) (A=Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy)

Six new isostructural A₂(Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈) (A=Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy) compounds have been synthesized by solid-state reactions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. They crystallize in C2/c space group with 4 formula units and contain A³⁺ cations and discrete centrosymmetric anionic (Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈)⁶⁻ aggregates, made of tetrahedral MoO₄ and disphenoidal SbO₄ moieties. They exhibit characteristic Sb³⁺ photoluminescence.     

Phase formation in the systems Ag2MoO4-MO-MoO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Mn) and crystal structures of Ag2M2(MoO4)3 (M=Co, Mn)

Phase equilibria in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni, Co, Mn) and subsolidus phase relations in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MO-MoO₃ (M=Ca, Pb, Cd, Mn, Co, Ni) were investigated using XRD and thermal analysis. The systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni) belong to the simple eutectic type whereas in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Co, Mn) incongruently melting Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Co, Mn) were formed. In the ternary oxide systems studied no other compounds were found. Low-temperature LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ reversibly converts into the high-temperature form of a similar structure at 450-500°C. The single crystals of Ag₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ and LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ were grown and their structures determined (space group , Z=2; lattice parameters are a=6.989(1) Å, b=8.738(2) Å, c=10.295(2) Å, α=107.67(2)°, β=105.28(2)°, γ=103.87(2)° and a=7.093(1) Å, b=8.878(2) Å, c=10.415(2) Å, α=106.86(2)°, β=105.84(2)°, γ=103.77(2)°, respectively) and refined to R(F)=0.0313 and 0.0368, respectively. The both compounds are isotypical to Ag₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ and contain mixed frameworks of MoO₄ tetrahedra and pairs of M²⁺O₆ octahedra sharing common edges. The Ag⁺ ions are disordered and located in the voids forming infinite channels running along the a direction. The peculiarities of the silver disorder in the structures of Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Zn, Mg, Co, Mn) are discussed as well as their relations with analogous sodium-containing compounds of the structural family of Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆. The phase transitions in Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Mg, Mn) of distortive or order-disorder type are suggested to have superionic character.     

Seven new rare-earth transition-metal oxychalcogenides: Syntheses and characterization of Ln4MnOSe6 (Ln=La, Ce, Nd), Ln4FeOSe6 (Ln=La, Ce, Sm), and La4MnOS6

The quaternary oxychalcogenides Ln₄MnOSe₆ (Ln=La, Ce, Nd), Ln₄FeOSe₆ (Ln=La, Ce, Sm), and La₄MnOS₆ have been synthesized by the reactions of Ln (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Sm), M (M=Mn, Fe), Se, and SeO₂ at 1173 K for the selenides or by the reaction of La₂S₃ and MnO at 1173 K for the sulfide. Warning: These reactions frequently end in explosions. These isostructural compounds crystallize with two formula units in space group of the hexagonal system. The cell constants (a, c in Å) at 153 K are: La₄MnOSe₆, 9.7596(3), 7.0722(4); La₄FeOSe₆, 9.7388(4), 7.0512(5); Ce₄MnOSe₆, 9.6795(4), 7.0235(5); Ce₄FeOSe₆, 9.6405(6), 6.9888(4); Nd₄MnOSe₆, 9.5553(5), 6.9516(5); Sm₄FeOSe₆, 9.4489(5), 6.8784(5); and La₄MnOS₆, 9.4766(6), 6.8246(6). The structure of these Ln₄MOQ₆ compounds comprises a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LnOQ₇ bicapped trigonal prisms, MQ₆ octahedra, and the unusual LnOQ₆ tricapped tetrahedra.     

New alkaline earth-zirconium oxalates M2Zr(C2O4)4·nH2O (M=Ba, Sr, Ca) synthesis, crystal structure and thermal behavior

Three new alkaline earth-zirconium oxalates M₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·nH₂O have been synthesized by precipitation methods for M=Ba, Sr, Ca. For each compound the crystal structure was determined from single crystals obtained by controlled diffusion of M²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ ions through silica gel containing oxalic acid. Ba₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·7H₂O, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=9.830(2), b=29.019(6), , , , Z=4, R=0.0427; Sr₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·11H₂O, tetragonal, space group I4₁/acd, a=16.139(4), , ,Z=8, R=0.0403; Ca₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·5H₂O, orthorhombic, space group Pna2₁, a=8.4181(5), b=15.8885(8), , , Z=4, R=0.0622. The structures of the three compounds consist of chains of edge-shared MO₆(H₂O)_x (x=2 or 3) polyhedra connected to ZrO₈ polyhedra through oxalate groups. Depending on the arrangement of chains, the ZrO₈ polyhedron geometry (dodecahedron or square antiprism) and the connectivity, two types of three-dimensional frameworks are obtained. For the smallest M²⁺ cations (Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺), large tunnels are obtained, running down the c direction of the unit cell, which can accommodate zeolitic water molecules. For the largest Ba²⁺ cation, the second framework is formed and is closely related to that of Pb₂Zr(C₂O₄)₄·nH₂O. The decomposition at 800°C into strontium carbonate, barium carbonate or calcium oxide and MZrO₃ (M=Sr, Ba, Ca) perovskite is reported from thermal analyses studies and high temperature X-ray powder diffraction.     

New ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides R15B4C14 (R=Y, Gd-Lu) containing BC2 units: Crystal and electronic structures, magnetic properties

The ternary rare-earth boride carbides R₁₅B₄C₁₄ (R=Y, Gd-Lu) were prepared from the elements by arc-melting followed by annealing in silica tubes at 1270 K for 1 month. The crystal structures of Tb₁₅B₄C₁₄ and Er₁₅B₄C₁₄ were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in a new structure type in space group P4/mnc (Tb₁₅B₄C₁₄: a=8.1251(5) Å, c=15.861(1) Å, Z=2, R₁=0.041 (wR₂=0.088) for 1023 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o); Er₁₅B₄C₁₄: a=7.932(1) Å, c=15.685(2) Å, Z=2, R₁=0.037 (wR₂=0.094) for 1022 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o)). The crystal structure contains discrete carbon atoms and bent CBC units in octahedra and distorted bicapped square antiprisms, respectively. In both structures the same type of disorder exists. One R atom position needs to be refined as split atom position with a ratio 9:1 indicative of a 10% substitution of the neighboring C⁴⁻ by C₂⁴⁻. The actual composition has then to be described as R₁₅B₄C_14.2. The isoelectronic substitution does not change the electron partition of R₁₅B₄C₁₄ which can be written as (R³⁺)₁₅(C⁴⁻)₆(CBC⁵⁻)₄•e⁻. The electronic structure was studied with the extended Hückel method. The investigated compounds Tb₁₅B₄C₁₄, Dy₁₅B₄C₁₄ and Er₁₅B₄C₁₄ are hard ferromagnets with Curie temperatures T_C=145, 120 and 50 K, respectively. The coercive field B_C=3.15 T for Dy₁₅B₄C₁₄ is quite remarkable.