Lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn4

Abstract

The structure of lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn4, has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the first time, approximately 70 years after its discovery. The compound exhibits a new structure type in the space groupCmcm, with one La atom and two Zn atoms occupying sites withm2msymmetry, and one Zn atom occupying a site with 2.. symmetry. The structure is closely related to the BaAl4, La3Al11, BaNi2Si2and CaCu5structure types, which can be presented as close-packed arrangements of 18-vertex clusters, in this case LaZn18. The kindred structure types contain related 18-vertex clusters around atoms of the rare earth or alkaline earth metal.