Distribution de la densite des electrons de valence dans Cu2As

The distribution of valency electron density in Cu₂As (C38) has been determined by Fourier synthesis using as coefficients the values ΔF = F_obs ? F_core (F_core corresponds to the structure factors of the inner orbitals). The bonding between the pyramidal-site copper atoms and the arsenic atoms is exposed, as well as the bonding between tetrahedral-site and pyramidal-site copper atoms.The structural evolution of the unit cell from the Cu₂Sb-type (C38) to the Fe₂P-type (C22) and Co₂P-type (C23) can be related to the metal-metalloid interaction. This interaction mainly involves the pyramidal-site metal atoms in the Cu₂Sb-type, and the tetrahedral-site metal atoms in the Fe₂P- and Co₂P-types.