Crystal structure and physical properties of the new one-dimensional metal Ba2Cu(7-x)Te6

The telluride Ba(2)Cu(7-x)Te(6) was synthesized from the elements in stoichiometric ratios, heated to 1073 K, followed by slow cooling to 873 K over 120 h. Ba(2)Cu(7-x)Te(6) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/m with lattice dimensions of a = 6.8591(7) ?, b = 12.1439(12) ?, c = 9.0198(9) ?, β = 110.7509(14)°, V = 702.58(12) ?(3), and Z = 2. The structure is comprised of Cu atoms forming a six-membered ring and triangles, interconnected to an infinite ribbon of Cu atoms. The ribbons are connected to each other via Cu-Te bonds to yield a three-dimensional structure, wherein each Cu atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by four Te atoms. A special feature of this telluride is the occurrence of a quasi-linear Te atom chain, which causes one-dimensional metallic properties, in accordance with electronic structure calculations and property measurements.