High-temperature (>1023 K) lanthanum diarsenide crystallizes in the monocli
nic space group Cc and adopts the LaP2 structure type, previously reported
in the alternate setting Ia [von Schnering, Wichelhaus & Schulze Nahrup (19
75). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 412, 193-201]. HT-LaAs2 is a Zintl compound cons
isting of As-3(5-) and As-5(7-) chains [As-As 2.460 (3)-2.569 (3) Angstrom]
coordinating onto La3+ ions [La-As 3.049 (2)-3.295 (2) Angstrom] in tricap
ped trigonal prismatic geometry.