Synthesis and crystal structure of Sr2Rh7P6

Single crystals of Sr2Rh7P6 were obtained by reaction of the elements in mo lten lead at 1100 degrees C and investigated by X-ray methods. The compound crystallizes tetragonally (a = 11.080(2), c = 4.098(1) Angstrom) and forms a crystal structure (<P(4)over bar>2(1)m; Z = 2) with ThCr2Si2 analogous u nits, which. are linked with each other in a new way. Therefore the RhP4 te trahedra form bands of edge sharing chains parallel to [001] anstead of lay ers as in the ThCr2Si2 type structure. The arrangement enables a part of th e P atoms to form short P-P distances of 2,26 Angstrom and space for additi onal Rh atoms with a likewise distorted tetrahedral coordination of P atoms is obtained.