LaTe1.9: a tenfold superstructure of the ZrSSi type

Hagen Poddig; Thomas Doert

doi:10.1107/S2056989022004844

LaTe_1.9: a tenfold superstructure of the ZrSSi type

Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun. 2022 May 13;78(Pt 6):559-562. doi: 10.1107/S2056989022004844. eCollection 2022 Jun 1.

Authors

Hagen Poddig¹, Thomas Doert¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, TU Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany.

Abstract

Single crystals of LaTe_1.9 (lanthanum telluride) have been obtained by chemical transport reactions with iodine as transport agent. LaTe_1.9 adopts the CeSe_1.9 structure type and crystallizes in the space group P4₂/n with lattice parameters a = 10.1072 (3) Å and c = 18.2874 (6) Å. The crystal structure comprises an alternating stacking of puckered [LaTe] slabs and planar [Te] layers along [001]. The planar [Te] layer is dominated by dumbbell-shaped Te₂ ^2- anions along an isolated Te^2- anion and a vacancy. The Te₂ ^2- anions form an eight-membered ring enclosing the vacancy in the centre.

Keywords: crystal structure; rare earth metal; superstructure; telluride; twinning.

Grants and funding

Funding for this research was provided by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant No. Do 560/1).