The Crystal Structure of Ni21Sn2P6

During an investigation of the phase equilibria in the ternary system Ni/P/Sn, the existence of a new phase Ni₂₁Sn₂P₆ with a composition close to the known Ni₁₀P₃Sn phase was found. The crystal structure of the new phase was determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure was solved employing Patterson and Difference Fourier Analysis. Ni₂₁P₆Sn₂ (space group , a = 1112.2 pm) crystallizes in an ordered variant of the C₆Cr₂₃ structure common to many carbides, borides and phosphides. The relation between Ni₂₁Sn₂P₆ and other C₆Cr₂₃ type phases and to Ni₁₀P₃Sn was established.