Ca3Au6.61Ga4.39 – A New Gallide with a Three‐Dimensional Gold–Gallium Network

Ca₃Au_6.61Ga_4.39 was synthesized by reacting the elements in a glassy carbon crucible under argon in a water‐cooled sample chamber in a high‐frequency furnace. The compound crystallizes with a new hexagonal structure type, space group P6₃/mmc: Z = 2, a = 926.6(2), c = 733.1(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0832, 328 F values and 20 variables. This structure type consists of a remarkably complex three‐dimensional Au_6.61Ga_4.39] network with significant Au–Au, Au–Ga, and Ga–Ga interactions. The calcium atoms are located within slightly distorted hexagonal channels of the gold–gallium network. The structural relations to the AlB₂ and Er₂RhSi₃ type structures are discussed.