RE2MAl6Si4 (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy; M = Au, Pt): layered quaternary intermetallics featuring CaAl2Si2-type and YNiAl4Ge2-type slabs grown from aluminum flux

Six new intermetallic aluminum silicides--Gd(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), Gd(2)AuAl(6)Si(4), Tb(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), Tb(2)AuAl(6)Si(4), Dy(2)PtAl(6)Si(4), and Dy(2)AuAl(6)Si(4)--have been obtained from reactions carried out in aluminum flux. The structure of these compounds was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They form in space group Rthremacr;m with cell constants of a = 4.1623(3) A and c = 51.048(5) A for the Gd(2)PtAl(6)Si(4) compound. The crystal structure is comprised of hexagonal nets of rare earth atoms alternating with two kinds of layers that have been observed in other multinary aluminide intermetallic compounds (CaAl(2)Si(2) and YNiAl(4)Ge(2)). All six RE(2)MAl(6)Si(4) compounds show antiferromagnetic transitions at low temperatures (T(N) < 20 K); magnetization studies of the Dy compounds show metamagnetic behavior with reorientation of spins at 6000 G. Band structure calculations indicate that the AlSi puckered hexagonal sheets in this structure are electronically distinct from the other surrounding structural motifs.