Synthesis and structure of the metallic K6TI17: A layered tetrahedral star structure related to that of Cr3Si

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stefan Kaskel - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ames Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (Author)
  • Zhen Chao Dong - , Ames Laboratory (Author)
  • Michael T. Klem - , Ames Laboratory, Montana State University (Author)
  • John D. Corbett - , Ames Laboratory (Author)

Abstract

The title compound, the TI-richest in the K-TI system, has been synthesized in Ta containers via direct reaction of the elements at 400 °C followed by quenching to room temperature and subsequent annealing at 150 °C for 4 weeks. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cccm (No. 66) with a = 16.625(1) Å, b = 23.594(2) Å, c = 15.369(2) Å (22 °C) and Z = 8. Two different TI12 units consisting of augmented tetrahedral stars are condensed into layers of such tetrahedra, and further TI2 dumbbells and the potassium cations also interconnect the stars and layers into a three-dimensional network. The former anionic TI8 subunits clearly resemble those in the heteroatomic 3-D structure of cubic Cr3Si before their augmentation with bridging atoms. The compound is metallic (ρ270 = 22.6 μΩ·cm, α = 0.0023 K-1) and shows Pauli-like paramagnetic susceptibility (γ296 = 1.1 × 10-4 emu/mol). EHTB calculations illustrate the importance of TI p-orbital bonding, the positive TI-TI overlap populations up to EF, and greater strengths of the TI-TI bonding between and about the surface of the augmented TI12 units. Cations between the thallium layers play specific and important roles in the structure.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1835-1841
Number of pages7
JournalInorganic chemistry
Volume42
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 24 Mar 2003
Peer-reviewedYes