Sr13□NbAs11 and Eu13□NbAs11 – Defect Variants of the Ca14AlSb11 Structure with asymmetric [As3]7− anions

Abstract

AbstractThe novel compounds Sr13NbAs11 and Eu13NbAs11 have been synthesized from SrAs, Eu5As4, Sr, Nb and As in niobium ampoules at 1173–1273 K. The tetragonal tI 200 phases are defect variants of the Ca14AlSb11 structure (space group I41/acd (no. 142); Sr13□NbAs11: a = 1649.8(2) and c = 2214.1(3); Eu13□NbAs11: a = 1632.9(8) and c = 2197.3(8) pm; Z = 8). The structures are built from the cations Sr2+, and Eu2+, respectively, and from the anions [NbAs4]7−, As3−, and the linear polyanion [As3]7−. This polyanion (isosteric to I3−) is asymmetric with d(AsAs) = 273.0 and 346.0 pm (Sr) and 274.7 and 335.6 pm (Eu), respectively. The bond lengths in the tetrahedral anions are d(NbAs) = 250.8 and 251.1 pm. The complete structural arrangement is related to that of Cu2O by forming two interpenetrating networks. The oxygen atoms are substituted by niobium centered As4 tetrahedra, and the Cu atoms are substituted by As6 octahedra (centered by Sr, Eu). The central As atoms of the polyanions connect the nets. Both As networks are enveloped by the remaining cations forming cubes, tetragonal antiprisms and capped trigonal prisms.