New members of the A{sub 2}M′M{sub 2}{sup ″} structure family (A=Ca, Sr, Yb, La; M′=In,Sn,Pb; M″=Si,Ge)
The new mixed tetrelides Sr{sub 2}PbGe{sub 2} and Yb{sub 2}SnGe{sub 2}, several mixed Ca/Sr (A{sup II}) germanides A{sub 2}{sup II}(Sn,Pb)Ge{sub 2} and two polymorphs of La{sub 2}InSi{sub 2} represent new members of the general structure family of ternary alkaline-earth/lanthanoid main group silicides/germanides A{sub 2}M′M{sub 2}{sup ″}(M′=In,Sn,Pb;M″=Si,Ge). All compounds were synthesized from melts of the elements and their crystal structures have been determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Sr{sub 2}PbGe{sub 2} (Cmmm, a=402.36(11), b=1542.3(4), c=463.27(10) pm) crystallizes with the Mn{sub 2}AlB{sub 2}-type structure. In exhibiting infinite planar Ge zig-zag chains, it represents one border of the compound series. The other borderline case, where only [Ge{sub 2}] dumbbells are left as Ge building units, is represented by the Ca/Yb tin germanides Ca{sub 2}SnGe{sub 2} and Yb{sub 2}SnGe{sub 2} (Mo{sub 2}FeB{sub 2}-type; P4/mbm, a=748.58(13)/740.27(7), c=445.59(8)/435.26(5) pm). In between these two border structures compounds with variable Si/Ge chain lengths could be obtained by varying the averaged size of the A{sup II} cations: Ca{sub 0.45}Sr{sub 1.55}PbGe{sub 2} (new structure type; Pbam, a=791.64(5), b=2311.2(2), c=458.53(3) pm) contains planar six-membered chain segments [Ge{sub 6}]. Tetrameric pieces [Ge{sub 4}] are the conspicuous structure elements in Ca{sub 1.16}Sr{sub 0.84}SnGe{sub 2} and La{sub 2}InSi{sub 2} (La{sub 2}InNi{sub 2}-type; Pbam, a=781.01(2)/762.01(13), b=1477.95(3)/1494.38(6), c=457.004(9)/442.1(3) pm). The tetragonal form of ’La{sub 2}InSi{sub 2}{sup ′} (exact composition: La{sub 2}In{sub 1.07}Si{sub 1.93}, P4/mbm, a=1309.11(12), c=443.32(4) pm) also crystallizes in a new structure type, containing only [Si{sub 3}] trimers as cutouts of the planar chains. In all structures the Si/Ge zig-zag chains/chain segments are connected by In/Sn/Pb atoms to form planar M layers, which are separated by pure A layers. Band structure calculations within the FP-LAPW DFT approach together with the Zintl formalism, extended by the presence of hypervalent bonding of the heavier M′ elements, give insight into the chemical bonding of this series of p-block metallides. An analysis of the band structure for the border phases Sr{sub 2}PbGe{sub 2} and Ca{sub 2}SnGe{sub 2} shows the considerable π bonding contributions within the Ge building units, which also become apparent from the short Ge–Ge bond lengths. - Graphical abstract: Example of one of the mixed metallides A{sub 2}(In/Sn/Pb)(Si/Ge){sub 2} with planar Si/Ge zig-zag chain segments of variable lengths. - Highlights: • Mixed metallides A{sub 2}(In/Sn/Pb)(Si/Ge){sub 2} were prepared for A=Ca, Sr, Yb, La. • The structures exhibit planar Si/Ge zig-zag chain segments of variable lengths. • In, Sn and Pb atoms are connecting the Si/Ge anions to planar nets. • Atomic size effects are investigated by the synthesis of mixed Ca/Sr germanides. • Bandstructure calculations indicate Si/Ge–Si/Ge π bonding contributions.
- OSTI ID:
- 22443519
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 221; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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