Synthesis,Crystal, and Electronic Structure of the New Ternary Zintl Phase Eu2–xMg2–yGe3 (x = 0.1; y = 0.5)

The new ternary phase Eu_2–xMg_2–yGe₃ (x = 0.1, y = 0.5) was obtained by solid‐state synthesis and the structure determined by means of Single Crystal X‐ray Diffraction. The compound crystallizes with the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (no. 63) having structural features of the low‐temperature modification of LaSi. The crystal structure contains two different types of germanium anions: isolated Ge^4– and $rm^{2}_{infty}$ [Ge^2–x–y] chains. The cation substructure is partially disordered and is best represented assuming a split position. The chemical bonding is well represented by the Zintl‐Klemm concept. Resistivity measurements reveal that the compound is metallic. DFT band structure calculations were carried out on the ideal stoichiometric compound Eu₂Mg₂Ge₃, showing that this model (x = 0; y = 0) would be also metallic as a consequence of the ecliptic stacking of anions. Susceptibility and specific heat measurements evidence the presence of weak, and probably frustrated, antiferromagnetic interactions between disordered europium atoms.