CaRhIn with TiNiSi Type Structure and CaTIn2 (T = Rh,Ir) with a New Filled Version of the Zintl Phase CaIn2

CaRhIn, CaRhIn₂, and CaIrIn₂ were synthesized by reacting the elements in glassy carbon crucibles under an argon atmosphere in a high‐frequency furnace. CaRhIn adopts the TiNiSi structure: Pnma, a = 730.0(4) pm, b = 433.1(2) pm, c = 828.8(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0707, 630 F² values, 20 variables. The CaRhIn structure consists of strongly puckered Rh₃In₃ hexagons with Rh–In distances ranging from 273 to 276 pm. Due to the strong puckering each rhodium atom has a distorted tetrahedral indium environment. The calcium atoms fill the channels within the three‐dimensional RhIn] polyanion. CaRhIn₂ and CaIrIn₂ crystallize with a new structure type: Pnma, a = 1586.2(3) pm, b = 781.4(2) pm, c = 570.9(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0385, 1699 F² values, 44 variables for CaRhIn₂, and Pnma, a = 1588.7(3) pm, b = 780.8(1) pm, c = 574.0(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0475, 1661 F² values, 44 variables for CaIrIn₂. The structures of CaRhIn₂ and CaIrIn₂ can be described as an orthorhombically distorted rhodium respectively iridium filled CaIn₂. The motif of transition metal filling is similar to that found in MgCuAl₂ type compounds CaTIn₂ (T = Pd, Pt, Au) and SrTIn₂ (T = Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt), but constitute a different tiling. Semi‐empirical band structure calculations for CaRhIn and CaRhIn₂ reveal strong bonding In–In and Rh–In but weaker Ca–Rh and Ca–In interactions. Magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements of compact polycrystalline samples of CaRhIn₂ indicate weak Pauli paramagnetism and metallic conductivity with a room temperature value for the specific resistivity of 230 ± 50 μΩcm.