The Yb and Ca atoms have slightly distorted octahedral environments an
d the K atom has regular sixfold prismatic coordination. The sites are
completely (Yb, Ca) or partially (Yb, K) occupied. The compound cryst
allizes with a layer structure; each layer is made up of [CaS6] or [Yb
S6] octahedra and is perpendicular to the c axis. Groups made up of th
ree layers, [Yb(1)S6], [CaS6] and [Yb(2)S6], are held together by K at
oms.