The first quaternary lanthanide(III) nitride iodides: NaM4N2I7 (M=La-Nd)

In attempts to synthesize lanthanide(III) nitride iodides with the formula M₂NI₃ (M=La-Nd), moisture-sensitive single crystals of the first quaternary sodium lanthanide(III) nitride iodides NaM₄N₂I₇ (orthorhombic, Pna2₁; Z=4; a=1391-1401, b=1086-1094, c=1186-1211 pm) could be obtained. The dominating structural features are chains of trans-edge linked [NM₄]⁹⁺ tetrahedra, which run parallel to the polar 2₁-axis [001]. Between the chains, direct bonding via special iodide anions generates cages, in which isolated [NaI₆]^5- octahedra are embedded. The IR spectrum of NaLa₄N₂I₇ recorded from 100 to 1000 cm^-1 shows main bands at υ=337, 373 and 489 cm^-1. With decreasing radii of the lanthanide trications these bands, which can be assigned as an influence of the vibrations of the condensed [NM₄]⁹⁺ tetrahedra, are shifted toward higher frequencies for the NaM₄N₂I₇ series (M=La-Nd), following the lanthanide contraction.