RE3Au5Zn (RE = Y, Sm, Gd-Ho) - A new structure type with five- and six-membered rings as building units in a gold network

摘要

RE3Au5Zn (RE = Y, Sm, Gd-Ho) intermetallic compounds were synthesized by melting the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. They exhibit a new structure type which was studied by X-ray diffraction on powders and refined from single crystal diffraction data: Cmcm, a = 736.9(2), b = 1489.4(2), c = 1330.4(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0371, 1184 F-2 values and 55 variables for Y3Au4.92Zn1.08 and a = 739.0(1), b = 1495.8(2), c = 1339.2(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0325, 1410 F-2 values and 54 variables for Tb3Au5Zn. The network consists of five- and six-membered gold rings in puckered conformations. Atoms of the rare earth elements are placed within the cavities of this network where every third cavity is filled by a Zn 2 dumbbell. The structure is discussed in detail and compared with the gold substructure of Hf7Au10.