Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel Zintl phase: K 3SbTe 3

Abstract

A ternary Zintl phase material of the formula K 3SbTe 3 has been prepared following a high temperature procedure. The material consists of an ionic lattice of potassium ions and discrete [SbTe 3] 3− ions. K 3SbTe 3 is a poor semiconductor (ϱ = 2 × 10 5Ω-cm) and dissolves in several polar solvents (e.g., H 2O, DMF, DMSO). Crystal data for K 3SbTe 3 include the following: cubic, space group P2 13 (No. 198), a = 10.306(1) Å, V = 1094.6(2) Å 3, Z = 4, D calc = 3.773 g cm −3 at T = 110(5) K, Mo K radiation, λ ( K) = 0.71073 Å, μ = 114.7 cm −1, M r = 621.86, F(000) = 1056, and R = 0.023 for 574 unique observed reflections.