Er3Pd7P4 — Kristallstrukturbestimmung und Extended Hückel Rechnungen

Er₃Pd₇P₄ — Crystal Structure Determination and Extended Hückel Calculations Er₃Pd₇P₄ was prepared by heating the elements (1050°C) and investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray methods. The compound crystallizes in a new structure (C2/m; a = 15.180(3) Å, b = 3.955(1) Å, c = 9.320(1) Å, β = 125,65(1)°; Z = 2) with a three-dimensional framework of Pd and P atoms and with Er atoms in the holes. The Pd atoms are surrounded tetrahedrally, trigonally or linearly by P atoms, which are coordinated by nine metal atoms in the form of a tricapped trigonal prism. Therefore the atomic arrangement of Er₃Pd₇P₄ is related to the structures of ternary transition metal phosphides with a metal: phosphorus ratio of 2:1. Band calculations using the Extended Hückel method show strong covalent Pd? P bonds and weak bonding interactions between Pd atoms with Pd? Pd distances shorter than 2.9 Å.