Nian-Tzu Suen

Synthesis, structure, chemical bonding, and magnetism of the series RELiGe2 (RE = La-Nd, Sm, Eu).

This article focuses on the synthesis and the crystal chemistry of six members of a series of rare-earth metal based germanides with general formula RELiGe(2) (RE = La-Nd, Sm, and Eu). The structures of these compounds have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (CaLiSi(2) structure type, space group Pnma, Z = 4, Pearson symbol oP16). The chemical bonding within this atomic arrangement can be rationalized in terms of anionic germanium zigzag chains, conjoined via chains of edge-shared LiGe(4) tetrahedra and separated by rare-earth metal cations. The structure can also be viewed as an intergrowth of AlB(2)-like and TiNiSi-like fragments, or as the result of the replacement of 50% of the rare-earth metal atoms by lithium in the parent structure of the REGe monogermanides. Except for LaLiGe(2) and SmLiGe(2), the remaining four RELiGe(2) phases exhibit Curie-Weiss paramagnetism above about 50 K. In the low temperature regime, the localized 4f electrons in CeLiGe(2), PrLiGe(2), and SmLiGe(2) order ferromagnetically, while antiferromagnetic ordering is observed for NdLiGe(2) and EuLiGe(2). The calculated effective magnetic moments confirm RE(3+) ground states in all cases excluding EuLiGe(2), in which the magnetic response is consistent with Eu(2+) configuration (J = S = 7/2). The experimental results have been complemented by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO) band structure calculations.

New polar intermetallic phases RE2Zn5Tt (RE = La-Nd; Tt = Sn and Pb): synthesis, structure, chemical bonding, and magnetic properties.

Reported are the synthesis, crystal structure, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of a series of zinc-rich ternary phases with formulas RE2Zn5Tt (RE = La-Nd; Tt = Sn and Pb). The structures of these compounds have been established by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. They crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (No. 63, LaRhSn2 structure type, Pearson symbol oC32). The most prominent structural feature is the trigonal-planar coordination of the Sn(Pb) atoms; the latter interconnect layers of Zn atoms to comprise a complex [Zn5Tt] polyanionic framework. The structural relationships between the structure of the title compounds and the EuIn4, La3Al11, and YIrGe2 structure types are highlighted. Temperature-dependent DC magnetization measurements indicate Pauli-like paramagnetism for La2Zn5Sn, while Ce2Zn5Sn, Pr2Zn5Sn, and Nd2Zn5Sn display Curie-Weiss behavior in the high-temperature regime. At cryogenic temperatures, the magnetic responses of Ce2Zn5Sn, Pr2Zn5Sn, and Nd2Zn5Sn appear to deviate from the Curie-Weiss law; however, no magnetic orderings could be observed down to 5 K. Theoretical considerations of the electronic structure on the basis of the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO-ASA) method are also presented and discussed.

Synthesis and structural characterization of RE7Zn21Tt2 (RE = La-Nd; Tt = Ge, Sn, and Pb): new structure type among the polar intermetallic phases.

Reported are 11 new ternary phases with the general formula RE7Zn21Tt2 (RE = La-Nd; Tt = Ge, Sn, and Pb), synthesized from the respective elements by reactions at high temperature. Their structures, established on the basis of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction work, are shown to be a new structure type with the orthorhombic space group Pbam (No. 55, Pearson symbol oP60). This complex atomic arrangement features condensed polyhedra made up of Zn atoms, interspersed by Ge, Sn, or Pb atoms in trigonal-planar coordination. The structure bears resemblance with the La3Al11 and the LaRhSn2 structure types, which are compared and discussed. Temperature dependent dc magnetization measurements confirm RE(3+) ground states for all rare-earth elements, and the expected local-moment magnetism due to the partial filling of their 4f states for RE(3+) = Ce(3+), Pr(3+), and Nd(3+). Theoretical considerations of the electronic structure based on the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO-ASA) method are also presented: the calculations support the experimental observation of a small, but not negligible, homogeneity range in RE7Zn(21+x)Tt(2-x) (x < 0.5). The partial substitution of the tetrel atoms by the electron-poorer Zn appears to be an important attribute, leading to an optimal valence electron concentration and, thereby, to the overall electronic stability of the crystal structure of this family of polar intermetallics.

On the nature of Ge-Pb bonding in the solid state. Synthesis, structural characterization, and electronic structures of two unprecedented germanide-plumbides.

Reported are the syntheses and the crystallographic characterization of two structurally related solid-state compounds: (Eu(1-x)Ca(x))(2)Ge(2)Pb (space group Pbam) and (Sr(x)Eu(1-x))(2)Ge(2)Pb (space group Cmmm). Both structures boast anionic sublattices with fully ordered Ge and Pb at the atomic level, which is unusual for elements of the same group. Despite the nearly identical formulas and the similar chemical makeup, the nature of the chemical bonding in the two compounds is subtly different; in the (Eu(1-x)Ca(x))(2)Ge(2)Pb structure, Ge and Pb are positioned at a relatively shorter distance from one another (<3.0 Å). The close proximity of the atoms leads to interactions, which are seen for the first time in an extended structure and can be suggested to have a covalent character. This conjecture is supported by extensive electronic band-structure calculations using first principles. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal Eu(2+) ground state ([Xe]4f(7) configuration) and the presence of an antiferromagnetic ordering at cryogenic temperatures.

Synthesis, crystal structures and chemical bonding of RE5−xLixGe4 (RE = Nd, Sm and Gd; x ≃ 1) with the ortho­rhom­bic Gd5Si4 type

The syntheses and single-crystal and electronic structures of three new ternary lithium rare earth germanides, RE(5-x)Li(x)Ge(4) (RE = Nd, Sm and Gd; x ≃ 1), namely tetrasamarium lithium tetragermanide (Sm(3.97)Li(1.03)Ge(4)), tetraneodymium lithium tetragermanide (Nd(3.97)Li(1.03)Ge(4)) and tetragadolinium lithium tetragermanide (Gd(3.96)Li(1.03)Ge(4)), are reported. All three compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma and adopt the Gd(5)Si(4) structure type (Pearson code oP36). There are six atoms in the asymmetric unit: Li1 in Wyckoff site 4c, RE1 in 8d, RE2 in 8d, Ge1 in 8d, Ge2 in 4c and Ge3 in 4c. One of the RE sites, i.e. RE2, is statistically occupied by RE and Li atoms, accounting for the small deviation from ideal RE(4)LiGe(4) stoichiometry.

An Unusual Triple-Decker Variant of the Tetragonal BaAl4-Structure Type: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Chemical Bonding of Sr3Cd8Ge4 and Eu3Cd8Ge4

Reported are the synthesis and the crystal structures of the new ternary phases Sr3Cd8Ge4 and Eu3Cd8Ge4. The structures of both compounds have been established by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. They crystallize in the tetragonal space group I4/mmm (No. 139, own structure type, Pearson symbol tI30) with Z = 2, and lattice parameters as follows: a = 4.4941(14) Å; c = 35.577(7) Å for Sr3Cd8Ge4, and a = 4.4643(12) Å; c = 35.537(9) Å for Eu3Cd8Ge4, respectively. The most prominent feature of the structure is the complex [Cd2Ge] polyanionic framework, derived by unique ordering of the Cd and Ge atoms in fragments that bear resemblance to the BaAl4 structure type. Temperature dependent DC magnetization measurements indicate that Eu3Cd8Ge4 displays Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior with no sign of magnetic ordering in the measured range. Theoretical considerations of the electronic structure on the basis of the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO-ASA) method are also presented and discussed.

Synthesis and crystal structures of RE7Zn21+xSi2–x [RE = Ce, Pr, and Nd; 0.09 (1) < x < 0.95 (1)]

The focus of this paper is on the synthesis and crystal structures of three Zn-rich compounds with the general formula RE7Zn(21+x)Si(2-x), where RE = Ce [x = 0.95 (1); heptacerium docosazinc silicon], Pr [x = 0.09 (1); heptapraseodymium henicosazinc disilicon], and Nd [x = 0.53 (1); heptaneodymium docosazinc silicon]. The compounds were obtained by high-temperature reactions, using the respective elements as starting materials. The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compounds crystalize in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (No. 55, Pearson symbol oP60) and are isostructural with about a dozen RE7Zn(21+x)Tt(2-x) (RE = La-Nd; Tt = Ge, Sn, and Pb) compounds previously reported by our group. The results from the present refinements confirm the previously published data on RE7Zn(21+x)Si(2-x) (RE = La and Ce; x ≃ 1.45) [Malik et al. (2013). Intermetallics, 36, 118-126]. Additionally, magnetic susceptibility measurements on the corresponding bulk samples show Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior from 5 to 300 K, consistent with RE(3+) ground states and local-moment magnetism due to the core 4f electrons.

Intricate Li–Sn Disorder in Rare-Earth Metal–Lithium Stannides. Crystal Chemistry of RE3Li4–xSn4+x (RE = La–Nd, Sm; x < 0.3) and Eu7Li8–xSn10+x (x ≈ 2.0)

Reported are the syntheses, crystal structures, and electronic structures of six rare-earth metal-lithium stannides with the general formulas RE3Li4- xSn4+ x (RE = La-Nd, Sm) and Eu7Li8- xSn10+ x. These new ternary compounds have been synthesized by high-temperature reactions of the corresponding elements. Their crystal structures have been established using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The RE3Li4- xSn4+ x phases crystallize in the orthorhombic body-centered space group Immm (No. 71) with the Zr3Cu4Si4 structure type (Pearson code oI22), and the Eu7Li8- xSn10+ x phase crystallizes in the orthorhombic base-centered space group Cmmm (No. 65) with the Ce7Li8Ge10 structure type (Pearson code oC50). Both structures can be consdered as part of the [RESn2] n[RELi2Sn] m homologous series, wherein the structures are intergrowths of imaginary RESn2 (AlB2-like structure type) and RELi2Sn (MgAl2Cu-like structure type) fragments. Close examination the structures indicates complex occupational Li-Sn disorder, apparently governed by the drive of the structure to achieve an optimal number of valence electrons. This conclusion based on experimental results is supported by detailed electronic structure calculations, carried out using the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital method.

Lithium‐Containing Pnictides with Supertetrahedral Cluster Chains

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Svilen Bobev at the University of Delaware, USA. The cover image shows the crystal structure of Ba4Li2Cd3Pn6 (Pn = P, As, Sb), which is based on infinite chains of supertetrahedral T2 clusters.