Synthesis and Characterization of Li‐containing Boron Carbide r‐Li~1B13C2

Transparent and nearly colorless single crystals of r‐LiB₁₃C₂ were obtained by reaction of boron with Li₂CO₃ in a Cu melt at 1250–1300 °C. The structure analysis [R3 m, a = 5.6535(1), c = 12.5320(2) Å, 421 independent reflections, 22 parameters, R₁ = 0.034, wR₂ = 0.093] revealed a crystal structure that can be described as a filling variant of rhombohedral B₁₃C₂. Li⁺ is located in a void above or below the linear CBC unit. The site occupation is close to 50 % resulting in an electron‐precise composition according to Wade's rules if a positive charge is given to the CBC entity: Li⁺(B₁₂)^2–(CBC)⁺. The displacement parameters of the CBC unit indicate disorder in the [001] direction, that relates to the short Li–C distance and the partial occupation of the Li⁺ site. The composition is confirmed by EELS measurements of single crystals. Band gap calculations give a value of 2.94 eV, which is in agreement to the crystals being colorless. The evaluation of the electron density by application of the QTAIM formalism as proposed by Bader modifies the assignment pictured above according to Wade's rules. In agreement to the electronegativities the carbon atoms carry a negative charge (–2.31/–2.42) and the effective charges are: Li^+0.81(B₁₂)^+2.02(CBC)^–2.83.