Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and electric transport properties of Eu11InSb9 and Yb11InSb9

Two new rare-earth metal containing Zintl phases, Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉ have been synthesized by reactions of the corresponding elements in molten In metal to serve as a self-flux. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction—both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Iba2 (No. 45), Z=4 with unit cell parameters a=12.224(2) Å, b=12.874(2) Å, c=17.315(3) Å for Eu₁₁InSb₉, and a=11.7886(11) Å, b=12.4151(12) Å, c=16.6743(15) Å for Yb₁₁InSb₉, respectively (Ca₁₁InSb₉-type, Pearson's code oI84). Both structures can be rationalized using the classic Zintl rules, and are best described in terms of discrete In-centered tetrahedra of Sb, [InSb₄]⁹⁻, isolated Sb dimers, [Sb₂]⁴⁻, and isolated Sb anions, Sb³⁻. These anionic species are separated by Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ cations, which occupy the empty space between them and counterbalance the formal charges. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements corroborate such analysis and indicate divalent Eu and Yb, as well as poorly metallic behavior for both Eu₁₁InSb₉ and Yb₁₁InSb₉. The close relationships between these structures and those of the monoclinic α-Ca₂₁Mn₄Sb₁₈ and Ca₂₁Mn₄Bi₁₈ are also discussed.     

Synthesis,Structure, and High Temperature Thermoelectric Properties of Yb11Sb9.3Ge0.5

Zintl phase compounds with large unit cells and complex anionic structures such as Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ hold potential for being good thermoelectric materials. Single crystals of Ge‐doped Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ were synthesized using a molten Sn‐flux technique. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction data were obtained and resulted in a composition of Yb₁₁Sb_9.3Ge_0.5 which was verified by microprobe. Yb₁₁Sb_9.3Ge_0.5 is isostructural to Ho₁₁Ge₁₀, crystallizing in a body‐centered, tetragonal unit cell, space group I4/mmm, with Z = 4. The unit cell parameters of Yb₁₁Sb_9.3Ge_0.5 are a = 11.8813(4), c = 17.1276(13) Å with a volume of 2417.8(2) ų. These parameters correlate well with the structural refinement of previously published Yb₁₁Sb₁₀. The structure consists of 16 isolated Sb^3? anions, 8 dumbbells, 2 square planar rings and 44 Yb²⁺ cations. The Ge, doped in at 28 % occupancy, was found to be site specific, residing on the 2 square planar rings. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction is most consistent with the site that makes up the square ring being less than fully occupied. The doped compound is additionally characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. High temperature (300–1200 K) thermoelectric properties show that the doped compound has extremely low thermal conductivity (10–30 mW/cmK), lower than that of Yb₁₁Sb₁₀. Temperature dependent resistivity is consistent with a heavily doped semiconductor. Yb₁₁Sb_9.3Ge_0.5 shows p‐type behavior increasing from ～22 μV/K at room temperature to ～31 μV/K at 1140 K. The low value and the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient suggest that bipolar conduction produces a compensated Seebeck coefficient and consequently a low zT.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Electronic Structure,and Magnetic Properties of the Zintl Phase Eu10Cd6Bi12

A new transition‐metal‐containing Zintl phase, Eu₁₀Cd₆Bi₁₂, was synthesized by combining the elements in excess molten Cd. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies indicated that this compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm (No. 65) with a=7.840(2), b=24.060(7), and c=4.7809(14) Å. The crystal structure of Eu₁₀Cd₆Bi₁₂ can be viewed as a stacking of a series of [Cd₆Bi₁₂] double layers, which are arranged alternately along the b axial direction. The layers are composed of corner‐ and edge‐shared CdBi₄ tetrahedra, a common feature in the crystal chemistry of many transition‐metal Zintl phases. Electronic‐band‐structure calculations confirm the closed‐shell configuration of all constituent elements and corroborate the electron count inferred by the Zintl formalism, that is, [Eu²⁺]₁₀[Cd²⁺]₆[Bi^3?]₈[Bi^2?]₄. Magnetic‐susceptibility measurements confirm the divalency of europium and show the existence of a long‐range antiferromagnetic order of the Eu spins below 12.3 K.     

Tt‐Tt (Tt = Si,Ge) Dumb‐Bell Structures at Different Valence Electron Concentrations: Ln2MgSi2 (Ln = La,Ce), Yb2Li0.5Ge2, and Yb1.75Mg0.75Si2

The isostructural compounds Yb₂MgSi₂, La_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂, and Ce_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂, as well as Yb₂Li_0.5Ge₂ and Yb_1.75Mg_0.75Si₂, respectively, were synthesized from stoichiometric mixtures of the corresponding elements in sealed Nb‐ ampoules under argon atmosphere. The structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction: Yb₂MgSi₂ (P4/mbm (No. 127), a = 7.056(1), c = 4.130(1) ų, Z = 2), La_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂ (P4/mbm, a = 7.544(1), c = 4.464(1) ų, Z = 2), and Ce_2.05Mg_0.95Si₂ (P4/mbm, a = 7.425(1), c = 4.370(1) ų, Z = 2), Yb₂Li_0.5Ge₂ (Pnma (No. 62), a = 7.0601(6), b = 14.628(1), c = 7.6160(7) Å, V = 786.5ų, Z = 4), Yb_1.75Mg_0.75Si₂ (Pnma, a = 6.9796(1), b = 14.4009(1), c = 7.5357(1) Å, V = 757.43(2) ų, Z = 4). All compounds contain exclusively Tt‐Tt dumb‐bells (Tt = Si, Ge). The Si‐Si Zintl anions exhibit only very small variations of bond lengths which seem to be more due to cation matrix effects than to effective bond orders.     

Dipotassium Sodium Diantimonidoindate,K2Na[InSb2], a compound with the polyanion [In2Sb2Sb4/2]6−

The novel compound K₂Na[InSb₂] was synthesized from the elements at 900 K in sealed niobium ampoules. The compound forms plate-like crystals with silver metallic luster, which are very unstable in air and moisture. The crystal structure of K₂NaInSb₂ has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods (space group Cmca (No. 64); a = 14.032(2), b = 16.399(3), c = 7.009(1) Å; Z = 8; Pearson symbol oC48). The structure contains pairs of edge-sharing InSb₄ tetrahedra which are linked to four other pairs via common vertices and form a two-dimensional [In₂Sb₂Sb_4/2]^6? anionic partial structure. The resulting pairs of tetrahedral holes are filled by Na⁺ cations. These [In₂Sb₂Sb_4/2]^6? layers are stacked along the b-axis and are interconnected by K⁺ cations. The whole structure can be considered as an ordered derivative of the KMnP structure (PbFCl type).     

High-temperature thermoelectric studies of A11Sb10 (A=Yb, Ca)

Large samples (6-8 g) of Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ and Ca₁₁Sb₁₀ have been synthesized using a high-temperature (1275-1375 K) flux method. These compounds are isostructural to Ho₁₁Ge₁₀, crystallizing in the body-centered, tetragonal unit cell, space group I4/mmm, with Z=4. The structure consists of antimony dumbbells and squares, reminiscent of Zn₄Sb₃ and filled Skutterudite (e.g., LaFe₄Sb₁₂) structures. In addition, these structures can be considered Zintl compounds; valence precise semiconductors with ionic contributions to the bonding. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), resistivity (ρ), Seebeck coefficient (α), thermal conductivity (κ), and thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) from room temperature to at minimum 975 K are presented for A₁₁Sb₁₀ (A=Yb, Ca). DSC/TG were measured to 1400 K and reveal the stability of these compounds to ∼1200 K. Both A₁₁Sb₁₀ (A=Yb, Ca) materials exhibit remarkably low lattice thermal conductivity (∼10 mW/cm K for both Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ and Ca₁₁Sb₁₀) that can be attributed to the complex crystal structure. Yb₁₁Sb₁₀ is a poor metal with relatively low resistivity (1.4 mΩ cm at 300 K), while Ca₁₁Sb₁₀ is a semiconductor suggesting that a gradual metal-insulator transition may be possible from a Ca_11−xYb_xSb₁₀ solid solution. The low values and the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficients for both compounds suggest that bipolar conduction produces a compensated Seebeck coefficient and consequently a low zT.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of the new rare-earth Zintl phase Yb11GaSb9

A new rare-earth rich Zintl phase Yb₁₁GaSb₉ was synthesized by direct fusion of the corresponding elements, and large single crystals of the compound were obtained from high temperature flux synthesis. Its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be orthorhombic in the non-centrosymmetric space group Iba2 (No. 45), Z=4 (R₁=3.24%, wR₂=6.40%) with , , measured at 90(3) K. The structure belongs to the Ca₁₁InSb₉-type and can be viewed as built of isolated Sb₄-tetrahedra centered by Ga, Sb-dimers and isolated Sb anions, which are separated by Yb²⁺ cations. Electron count according to the Zintl formalism suggests that the phase is electron-precise and charge-balanced, which is supported by the virtually temperature-independent magnetization for Yb₁₁GaSb₉. Electrical resistivity data from 2 to 400 K confirm that Yb₁₁GaSb₉ is a small band-gap semiconductor with room temperature resistivity , and low-temperature resistivity at 2 K . As such, Yb₁₁GaSb₉ and related compounds might be promising materials for thermoelectric applications, and currently, efforts to synthesize new members of this family and test their thermoelectric performance are under way.     

The Neat Ternary Solid K5−xCo1−xSn9 with Endohedral [Co@Sn9]5− Cluster Units: A Precursor for Soluble Intermetalloid [Co2@Sn17]5− Clusters

A new type of Zintl phase is presented that contains endohedrally filled clusters and that allows for the formation of intermetalloid clusters in solution by a one‐step synthesis. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ was obtained by the reaction of a preformed Co? Sn alloy with potassium and tin at high temperatures. The diamagnetic saltlike ternary phase contains discrete [Co@Sn₉]^5? clusters that are separated by K⁺ ions. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ readily and incongruently dissolves in ethylenediamine and in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (2.2.2‐crypt), thereby leading to the formation of crystalline [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇]. The novel polyanion [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? contains two Co‐filled Sn₉ clusters that share one vertex. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The diamagnetism of K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ and the paramagnetism of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇] have been confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and EPR measurements, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations reveal an endohedral Co^1? atom in an [Sn₉]^4? nido cluster for [Co@Sn₉]^5? and confirm the stability of the paramagnetic [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? unit.     

Endohedrally Filled [Ni@Sn9]4− and [Co@Sn9]5− Clusters in the Neat Solids Na12Ni1−xSn17 and K13−xCo1−xSn17: Crystal Structure and 119Sn Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

A systematic approach to the formation of endohedrally filled atom clusters by a high‐temperature route instead of the more frequent multistep syntheses in solution is presented. Zintl phases Na₁₂Ni_1?xSn₁₇ and K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇, containing endohedrally filled intermetalloid clusters [Ni@Sn₉]^4? or [Co@Sn₉]^5? beside [Sn₄]^4?, are obtained from high‐temperature reactions. The arrangement of [Ni@Sn₉]^4? or [Co@Sn₉]^5? and [Sn₄]^4? clusters, which are present in the ratio 1:2, can be regarded as a hierarchical replacement variant of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn₂ on the Mg and Zn positions, respectively. The alkali‐metal positions are considered for the first time in the hierarchical relationship, which leads to a comprehensive topological parallel and a better understanding of the composition of these compounds. The positions of the alkali‐metal atoms in the title compounds are related to the known inclusion of hydrogen atoms in the voids of Laves phases. The inclusion of Co atoms in the {Sn₉} cages correlates strongly with the number of K vacancies in K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇ and K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉, and consequently, all compounds correspond to diamagnetic valence compounds. Owing to their diamagnetism, K_13?xCo_1?xSn₁₇, and K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉, as well as the d‐block metal free binary compounds K₁₂Sn₁₇ and K₄Sn₉, were characterized for the first time by ¹¹⁹Sn solid‐state NMR spectroscopy.     

Cs5Sb8 und β‐CsSb: Zwei neue binäre Zintl‐Phasen

Cs₅Sb₈ and β‐CsSb: Two New Binary Zintl Phases The anion in the crystal structure of the new Zintl phase Cs₅Sb₈ synthesized from the elements (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 724.4(2) pm, b = 1135.2(3) pm, c = 2750.9(8) pm, β = 96.663(5)°, Z = 4) consists of two and three bonded Sb atoms, which are connected to form puckered nets with 5 and 28 membered rings. β‐CsSb (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 1519.4(3) pm, b = 734.0(2) pm, c = 1432.2(2) pm, β = 113.661(3)°, Z = 4) crystallizes with a superstructure of the LiAs structure type. As in the α phase (NaP type), twobonded Sb^‐ atoms form neary ideal 4₁ screx chains. In contrast to the α phase the helices have opposite chirality.     

Ternary K2Zn5As4‐type pnictides Rb2Cd5As4 and Rb2Zn5Sb4, and the solid solution Rb2Cd5(As,Sb)4

Dirubidium pentacadmium tetraarsenide, Rb₂Cd₅As₄, dirubidium pentazinc tetraantimonide, Rb₂Zn₅Sb₄, and the solid‐solution phase dirubidium pentacadmium tetra(arsenide/antimonide), Rb₂Cd₅(As,Sb)₄ [or Rb₂Cd₅As_3.00(1)Sb_1.00(1)], have been prepared by direct reaction of the component elements at high temperature. These compounds are charge‐balanced Zintl phases and adopt the orthorhombic K₂Zn₅As₄‐type structure (Pearson symbol oC44), featuring a three‐dimensional [M₅Pn₄]²⁻ framework [M = Zn or Cd; Pn is a pnicogen or Group 15 (Group V) element] built of linked MPn₄ tetrahedra, and large channels extending along the b axis which host Rb⁺ cations. The As and Sb atoms in Rb₂Cd₅(As,Sb)₄ are randomly disordered over the two available pnicogen sites. Band‐structure calculations predict that Rb₂Cd₅As₄ is a small‐band‐gap semiconductor and Rb₂Zn₅Sb₄ is a semimetal.     

{[CuSn5Sb3]2−}2: A Dimer of Inhomogeneous Superatoms

Reaction of the binary Zintl anion (Sn₂Sb₂)^2? with the β‐diketiminato complex [LCu(NCMe)] (L=nacnac=[(N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂‐2,6)C(Me))₂CH]^?) in ethylenediamine or DMF affords the ternary cluster dimer {[CuSn₅Sb₃]^2?}₂ ( 1 ) as its [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ salt. The chemical formulation of 1 is supported by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and quantum chemical calculations. Each monomeric part of the dimer represents a trimetallic “[CuSn₅Sb₃]^2?” cluster, with an architecture in between a tricapped trigonal prism and a capped square antiprism. As shown by quantum chemical investigations, the presence of Sb atoms and, in particular, of Cu atoms in the cluster skeleton makes the monomeric unit behave like an inhomogeneous superatom, which clearly prefers to dimerize, thereby producing a relatively short, yet virtually non‐bonding Cu???Cu distance.     

RbSb2 – Eine mit KSb2 verwandte Zintl‐Phase

RbSb₂ – A Zintl Phase related to KSb₂ The electron‐precise Zintl compound RbSb₂, which was known to melt incongruently at 418 °C, has been prepared in pure phase from elemental rubidium and antimony in sealed tantalum crucibles. In accordance with the ribbon‐shaped antimonide anions, the compound crystallizes with extremely thin intergrown, mechanically and chemically very sensitive needles of dark‐metallic lustre. The crystal structure could be determined and refined using single crystal x‐ray data (monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 1403(2), b = 414.0(4), c = 855.7(14) pm, β = 104.45(12)°, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0901) despite the poor quality of the crystals. It shows fused six‐membered rings of two‐ and three‐bonded Sb atoms forming ribbons running along the monoclinic b axis, which can be interpreted as sections of the elemental structure of antimony (d_Sb‐Sb = 281.9(5) and 286.0(9) pm respectively). The structure of RbSb₂ is thus closely related to that of KSb₂, which exhibits identical antimony anions. Compared to the potassium compound, the ribbons are reoriented against each so that the coordination number of the A counter ions is increased from 6 + 2 (for A = K) to 8 + 2 (for A = Rb). The results of a FP‐LAPW band structure calculation of RbSb₂ are used to explain the chemical bonding in this classical Zintl phase with a calculated indirect band gap of 0.38 eV.     

Ge Pairs and Sb Ribbons in Rare‐Earth Germanium Antimonides RE12Ge7−xSb21 (RE=La–Pr)

The ternary rare‐earth germanium antimonides RE₁₂Ge_7?xSb₂₁ (RE=La–Pr; x=0.4–0.5) are synthesized by direct reactions of the elements. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that they adopt a new structure type (space group Immm, Z=2, a=4.3165(4)–4.2578(2) Å, b=15.2050(12)–14.9777(7) Å, c=34.443(3)–33.9376(16) Å in the progression from RE=La to Pr), integrating complex features found in RE₆Ge_5?xSb_11+x and RE₁₂Ga₄Sb₂₃. A three‐dimensional polyanionic framework, consisting of Ge pairs and Sb ribbons, outlines large channels occupied by columns of face‐sharing RE₆ trigonal prisms. These trigonal prisms are centered by additional Ge and Sb atoms to form GeSb₃ trigonal‐planar units. A bonding analysis attempted through a Zintl–Klemm approach suggests that full electron transfer from the RE atoms to the anionic substructure cannot be assumed. This is confirmed by band‐structure calculations, which also reveal the importance of Ge? Sb and Sb? Sb bonding. Magnetic measurements on Ce₁₂Ge_6.5Sb₂₁ indicate antiferromagnetic coupling but no long‐range ordering down to 2 K.     

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.     

The effects of doping ferromagnetic spinel CdCr2Se4 with Sb ions

Semiconducting spinel CdCr₂Se₄ orders ferromagnetically below T_C=130 K. A series of single-crystals of CdCr₂Se₄ doped with Sb³⁺ ions has been synthesized in order to study an effect of the substitution on the cation distribution and the magnetic properties. The compounds of Cd_ySb_xCr_zSe₄ have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Two selected samples of the composition (Cd_1−xSb_x)[Cr₂]Se₄ with x=0.13 and 0.44 retained cubic symmetry with space group . The unit cell parameter appeared to be sensitive to the concentration of Sb³⁺ admixture: it increases with x, despite a close similarity in the ionic radii of Cd²⁺ and Sb³⁺ in tetrahedral coordination. Upon partial substitution of Cd²⁺ by Sb³ no obvious change in the Curie temperature was observed, however, the effective magnetic moment slightly increased, what may result from the appearance of Cr²⁺ ions. The characteristic feature of the system studied is an extended range of short-range magnetic order, in which the magnetic properties in the paramagnetic state are governed by the formation of ferromagnetic clusters, as indicated by both the bulk magnetometric and spectroscopic data.     

The Arachno‐Zintl Ion (Sn5Sb3)3− and the Effects of Element Composition on the Structures of Isoelectronic Clusters: Another Facet of the Pseudo‐Element Concept

The pseudo‐element concept, in its most general formulation, states that isoelectronic atoms form equal numbers of bonds. Hence, clusters such as Zintl ions usually retain their structure upon isoelectronic replacement of some or all atoms. Here, a deviation from this common observation is presented, namely the formation of (Sn₅Sb₃)^3? ( 1 ), a rare example of an eight‐vertex Zintl ion, and an unprecedented example of a Zintl ion synthesized by solution means that has an arachno‐type structure according to the Wade–Mingos rules. Three structure‐types of interest for (Sn₅Sb₃)^3? were identified by DFT calculations: one that matched the X‐ray diffraction data, and two that that were reminiscent of fragments of known clusters. A study on the isoelectronic series of clusters, (Sn_xSb_8?x)^2?x (x=0–8), showed that the relative energies of these three isomers vary significantly with composition (independent of electron count) and that each is the global minimum at least once within the series.     

[Ge2]4− Dumbbells with Very Short Ge−Ge Distances in the Zintl Phase Li3NaGe2: A Solid‐State Equivalent to Molecular O2

The novel ternary Zintl phase Li₃NaGe₂ comprises alkali‐metal cations and [Ge₂]^4? dumbbells. The diatomic [Ge₂]^4? unit is characterized by the shortest Ge?Ge distance (2.390(1) Å) ever observed in a Zintl phase and thus represents the first Ge=Ge double bond under such conditions, as also suggested by the (8?N) rule. Raman measurements support these findings. The multiple‐bond character is confirmed by electronic‐structure calculations, and an upfield ⁶Li NMR shift of ?10.0 ppm, which was assigned to the Li cations surrounded by the π systems of three Ge dumbbells, further underlines this interpretation. For the unperturbed, ligand‐free dumbbell in Li₃NaGe₂, the π‐ bonding p_y and p_z orbitals are degenerate as in molecular oxygen, which has singly occupied orbitals. The partially filled π‐type bands of the neat solid Li₃NaGe₂ cross the Fermi level, resulting in metallic properties. Li₃NaGe₂ was synthesized from the elements as well as from binary reactants and subsequently characterized crystallographically.     

Alkalimetallbismutide ABi und ABi2 (A = K,Rb, Cs) — Synthesen,Kristallstrukturen, Eigenschaften

Alkali Metal Bismuthides ABi and ABi₂ — Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Properties The Zintl phases ABi (A = K/Rb/Cs; monoclinic, space group, P2₁/c, a = 1422.3(2)/1474.2(2)/1523.7(3), b = 724.8(1)/750.2(1)/773.7(1), c = 1342.0(2)/1392.1(2)/1439.9(2) pm and β = 113.030(3)/113.033(2)/112.722(3)°, Z = 16) crystallize with the β‐CsSb structure type containing chains of two‐connected Bi atoms. Hence, and according to calculated electronic structures, they are semiconductors with small band gaps of approx. 0.5 eV. In contrast, the compounds ABi₂ (A = K/Rb/Cs; cubic, space group Fd3¯m, a = 952.1(2)/962.4(8)/972.0(3) pm, Z = 8) belong to the Laves phases, showing a typical metallic electrical conductivity and no band gaps.