Na8K23Cd12In48: A Zintl Phase Containing Icosahedral and Triangular Indium Units and Displaying a Remarkable Condensed Metal Fullerane Stuffed with a Tubular Cluster. Synthesis and Crystal and Electronic Structures

Toward Predicting the Assembly of Modular Intermetallics from Chemical Pressure Analysis: The Interface Nucleus Approach

Complex intermetallic phases are often constructed from domains derived from simpler structures arranged into hierarchical assemblies. These modular arrangements offer intriguing prospects, such as the integration of the properties of distinct compounds into a single material or for the emergence of new properties from the interactions among different domains. In this article, we develop a strategy for the design of such complex structures, which we term the interface nucleus approach. Within this framework, the assembly of complex structures is facilitated by interface nuclei: geometrical motifs shared by two parent structures that serve as a region of overlap to nucleate or seed the formation of a combined structure. Our central hypothesis is that the formation of an interface between structures at these motifs creates opportunities for the relief of atomic packing stresses, as revealed by Density Functional Theory-Chemical Pressure (DFT-CP) analysis: when corresponding interatomic contacts in two structures exhibit complementarity─negative CP with positive CP or intense CP with mild CP─the intergrowth allows for a more balanced packing arrangement. To illustrate the application of the interface nucleus concept, we analyze three modular intermetallic structures, the σ-phase (FeCr), PuNi3, and Ca6Cu6Al5 types. In each case, the assembly of the structure can be connected to complementary CP features in an interface nucleus shared by its parent structures, while the distribution of the interface nuclei in the parents serves to template the geometry of the overall framework. In this way, the interface nucleus approach points toward avenues for the design of modular intermetallics from the CP schemes of potential partner structures.

Electronic Stabilization Effects: Three New K−In−T (T = Mg, Au, Zn) Network Compounds

The ternary compounds K(34)In(91.05(9))Mg(13.95(9)) (I), K(34)In(96.19(6))Au(8.81(6)) (II), and K(34)In(89.95(1))Zn(13.05(7)) (III) have been synthesized by high-temperature means and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. All are analogues of earlier products in which Li is substituted for some In in a hypothetical K(34)In(105) lattice. They consist of complex three-dimensional anionic networks built of In(12) icosahedra and M(28) triply fused icosahedra (M = In or In/T and T = Mg, Au, or Zn). The K atoms bridge between cluster faces or edges and form K(136) clathrate-IotaIota type networks. Two neighboring M(28) units are interconnected by an M atom to form a sandwich complex (M(28))M(M(28)) in I and II or by a Zn-Zn dimer in (M(28))ZnZn(M(28)) in III. Mixed In/T sites only occur in the M(28) portions. Phase stabilization through electronic tuning is present in all three via substitution of the electron-poorer T elements for In. Extended Hückel analyses indicate that all metal-metal bonding within the M(28) cluster appears to be optimized in I and III even though both are metallic. The size of the substituted element is also important in the structural features, as is especially shown by the Zn compound.

Electronic Structures of KNa3In9 and Na2In, Two Metallic Phases with Classical Closed-Shell Electronic Configurations

The cluster compounds KNa3In9 [K2Na6(In12)(In)6] and Na2In [(Na)8(In4)], which contain In12 icosahedra interbridged by 4-bonded In atoms and isolated In4 tetrahedra, respectively, both have classical closed-shell electronic configurations but show metallic transport properties. These contrasts have been studied by means of first-principles density functional methods (LMTO-ASA). Several bands cross the Fermi level in both compounds, consistent with their metallic properties. In KNa3In9, the metal atom framework alone is sufficient to generate a metallic characteristic. The alkali-metal s and indium p orbitals mix considerably in both phases, providing for substantial covalent contributions to their stabilities as well as bands crossing Ef. The participation of Na atoms in the 3D bonding networks is more striking in cation-richer Na2In than in KNa3In9.

Syntheses, Structure, and Bonding of Rb14(Mg1-xInx)30. A Nonstoichiometric Phase with an Unusual Substitution in the Anion Framework

The title compound Rb(14)(Mg(1-x)In(x))(30) (x = 0.79-0.88) has been obtained from high-temperature reactions of the elements in welded Ta tubes. There is no analogous binary compound without Mg. The crystal structure established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction means (space group P2m (No. 189), Z = 1 and a = b = 10.1593(3) Angstroms, c = 17.783(1) Angstroms for x = 0.851) features two distinct types of anionic layers: isolated pentacapped trigonal prismatic In(11)(7-) clusters and condensed [(Mg(x)In(1-x))(5)In(14)](7-) layers. The latter consists of analogous M(11) (M = Mg/In) fragments that share prismatic edges and are interbridged by trigonal M(3) units. The structure shows substantial differences from related A(15)Tl(27) (A = Rb, Cs) in which the cation A that centers a six-membered ring of Tl(11) fragments is replaced by M(3.) Both linear muffin-tin orbital and extended Hückel calculations are used to analyze the observed phase width and site preferences. We further utilize the results to rationalize the distortion of the M(11) fragment in the condensed layer and also to correlate with electrical properties. An isomorphous phase region (Rb(y)K(1-)(y))(14)(Mg(1-x)In(x))(30) (y = 0.52, 0.66 for x = 0.79) is also formed.

Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of a Cubic Thallium Cluster Phase of the Bergman Type, Na13(Cd∼0.70Tl∼0.30)27

Samples of Na(13)(Cd(1-x)Tl(x))(27) crystallize with a cubic Bergman-type Im3 structure (formerly called the R-phase) (Z = 4, a approximately 15.92 A) and exhibit a small phase width, 0.24 < x < 0.33. The crystal structure exhibits a Cd/Tl (=M) network of concentric empty M(12) and Cd(12) icosahedra and M(60) buckyball clusters, with the sodium cations in the annuli between clusters. The compound is unusually electron deficient with respect to electron counting rules applied to most Bergman phases with less electropositive cations, and because of the sodium component it is probably better described as an electron-poor Zintl phase. The new compound is metallic according to both EHTB band calculations for the anion and the measured resistivities and magnetic susceptibilities. Site preferences observed for Na, Cd, and Tl among the seven crystallographic sites are consistent with their relative Mulliken electron populations.

Li17Ag3Sn6: A Polar Intermetallic π-System with Carbonate-like [AgSn3]11- Anions and Trefoil Aromatic [Ag2Sn3]6- Layers

A new lithium silver stannide, Li17Ag3Sn6, was synthesized from high-temperature reactions of the pure elements in tantalum containers. Its crystal structure, in the space group, P31m, with a = 8.063(3) A, c = 8.509(4) A, Z = 1, features two distinct AgSn-based anionic layers. Defect graphitic layers of Ag2Sn3, with ordered vacancies at one-third of the Ag sites, are alternately stacked with Kagome-like nets of isolated trigonal planar AgSn3 units. Double layers of Li ions are sandwiched between the stacked AgSn-based layers. Theoretical calculations show unusual pi-interactions within both anionic layers, with the trigonal planar [AgSn3]11- units being isoelectronic with CO(3)2-. In addition, the chemical bonding of the layered [Ag2Sn3]6- pi-network features incompletely filled lone-pair Sn states involved in in-plane trefoil aromatic interactions. Transport and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Li17Ag3Sn6 indicate excellent metallic behavior and temperature-independent paramagnetism consistent with results from band structure calculations. The "trefoil" aromaticity, previously postulated for aromatic molecular systems, is finally observed, albeit in a polar intermetallic solid-state structure that lies at the border between metals and nonmetals.

KNa(3)In(9): a Zintl network phase built of layered indium icosahedra and zigzag chains. Synthesis, structure, bonding, and properties

This phase was discovered following direct fusion of the elements in welded Nb tubes at 550 degrees C and equilibration at 300 degrees C for 1 week. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that KNa(3)In(9) crystallizes in an orthorhombic system (Cmca, Z = 8, a = 9.960(1) A, b =16.564(2) A, c = 17.530(2) A, 23 degrees C). The structure contains a three-dimensional indium network built of layers of empty In(12) icosahedra that are each 12-bonded and interconnected by 4-bonded indium atoms that also form zigzag chains. All cations bridge between cluster faces or edges, and their mixed sizes appear critical to the stability of this particular structure, which does not occur in either binary system. Both empirical electron counting and EHTB band structure calculations on the macroanion indicate that the bonding in this structure is closed-shell, whereas resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measures show that the compound is a moderately poor metal.