The study of the solid state reactions in air or oxygen of the ternary
system Ba-Ru-O shows the existence of the new compounds Ba4Ru3O10 and
Ba5Ru3O12. The crystal symmetry of Ba4Ru3O10 is monoclinic (P2(1)/a)
with the unit cell constants a = 5.776(1) Angstrom, b = 13.076(1) Angs
trom, c = 7.234(2) Angstrom and beta = 113.53(3)degrees. Ba4Ru3O10 is
isostructural with Ba4Ir3O10 and the structure consists of trinuclear
groups [Ru3O12] of face-sharing octahedra two-dimensionally connected
via terminal corners to form [Ru3O10] zig-zag layers. The magnetic pro
perties confirm the oxidation state (Ru4+) of ruthenium. Ba5Ru3O12 is
isostructural With Ba-5(Ir1.5Ru1.5)O-12 with the cell parameters a = 1
0.862(1) Angstrom, b = 5.893(1) Angstrom and c = 19.790(2) Angstrom (P
nma). The crystal structure was refined on the basis of a single cryst
al in which part of the ruthenium was replaced by platinum. The struct
ure consists of isolated [Ru3O12] trimeric groups separated by barium
atoms. Valence bond calculation confirms that the electronic charges a
re localized, and the magnetic behaviour is interpreted in terms of an
tiferromagnetic isolated trimeric units.