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Na 2 Au 3 Al, the first experimentally prepared compound in the ternary Na-Au-Al system, crystallizes in the cubic crystal system with space group P4 1 32 (a = 771.42(2) pm). It can be described as a P-centered ternary ordered variant of the F-centered Laves phase MgCu 2 and is isostructural to Mo 3 Al 2 C. A phase width was found for the series Na 2 Au 4-x Al x allowing a successive substitution of Au by Al. The primitive structure forms for x ≥ 0.5. Na 2 Au 3 Al is diamagnetic at room temperature but metallic in nature, as seen from susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements. Band structure calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the metallic nature of the title compound as states are found at the Fermi level of the DOS, along with its "auride" character. 23 Na and 27 Al solid-state-NMR investigations show the existence of both a disordered (x = 0.5 and 0.75) and a fully ordered (x = 1.0) representative within this series. Both COHP and Bader charge analyses suggest the presence of strong Au-Al interactions forming an anionic [Au 3 Al] δ- network, with the Na cations occupying the cavities.

The new quaternary boride series FeRh 6-n Ru n B 3 (n = 1-5) was synthesized by arc melting and characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. Single-crystal structure refinement showed the distribution of the iron atoms in two of three possible crystallographic 4d metal sites in the structure (Th 7 Fe 3 -type, space group P6 3 mc). Rietveld refinements of the powder XRD data indicated single-phase synthesis of all the members. A linear decrease of the lattice parameters and the unit cell volume with increasing Ru content was found, indicating Vegard's behavior. Susceptibility measurements show decreasing Curie temperature and magnetic moment (μ a 5T ) recorded at 5 T with increasing Ru content from T C = 295 K and μ a 5T = 3.35 μ B (FeRh 5 RuB 3 ) to T C = 205 K and μ a 5T = 0.70 μ B (FeRhRu 5 B 3 ). The measured coercivities lie between 1.0 and 2.2 kA/m indicating soft to semihard magnetic materials.

Crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) bonding analysis has predicted that ScPd 3 B 0.5 is the least stable compound of the entire series Sc 2 Ir 6-x Pd x B. Here, we report a systematic study of Sc 2 Ir 6-x Pd x B (x=3, 5 and 6) by means of 11 B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Knight shift (K) and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T 1 ). NMR results combined with theoretical band structure calculations provide a measure of s- and non-s-character Fermi-level density of states. We present direct evidence that the enhanced s-state character of the Fermi level density of states (DOS) in ScPd 3 B 0.5 reduces the strength of the B 2p and Pd 4d hybridized states across the entire Sc 2 Ir 6-x Pd x B series. This hybridization strength relates to the opening of a deep pseudogap in the density of states of Sc 2 IrPd 5 B and the chemical bonding instability of ScPd 3 B 0.5 . This study is an experimental realization of a chemical fine-tuning of the electronic properties in intermetallic perovskites., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The intermetallic compound EuAu3Al2 has been prepared by reaction of the elements in tantalum ampules. The structure was refined from single-crystal data, indicating that the title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (a = 1310.36(4), b = 547.87(1), c = 681.26(2) pm) with space group Pnma (wR2 = 0.0266, 1038 F(2) values, 35 parameters) and is isostructural to SrAu3Al2 (LT-SrZn5 type). Full ordering of the gold and aluminum atoms was observed. Theoretical calculations confirm that the title compound can be described as a polar intermetallic phase containing a polyanionic [Au3Al2](δ-) network featuring interconnected strands of edge-sharing [AlAu4] tetrahedra. Magnetic measurements and (151)Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations confirmed the divalent character of the europium atoms. Ferromagnetic ordering below TC = 16.5(1) K was observed. Heat capacity measurements showed a λ-type anomaly at T = 15.7(1) K, in line with the ordering temperature from the susceptibility measurements. The magnetocaloric properties of EuAu3Al2 were determined, and a magnetic entropy of ΔSM = -4.8 J kg(-1) K(-1) for a field change of 0 to 50 kOe was determined. Band structure calculations found that the f-bands of Eu present at the Fermi level of non-spin-polarized calculations are responsible for the ferromagnetic ordering in this phase, whereas COHP chemical bonding coupled with Bader charge analysis confirmed the description of the structure as covalently bonded polyanionic [Au3Al2](δ-) network interacting ionically with Eu(δ+).

Spin-frustrated chains of Cr3 triangles are found in the new metal boride TiCrIr2B2 by synergistic experimental and theoretical investigations. Although magnetic ordering is found at 275 K, competing ferro- and anti-ferromagnetic interactions coupled with spin frustration induce a rather small total magnetic moment (0.05 μB at 5 T), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations propose a canted, nonlinear magnetic ground-state ordering in the new phase. TiCrIr2B2 crystallizes in the hexagonal Ti1+xOs2-xRuB2 structure type (space group P6̅2m, No. 189, Pearson symbol hP18). The structure contains trigonal planar B4 boron fragments with B-B distances of 1.76(3) Å alternating along the c-direction with Cr3 triangles with intra- and intertriangle Cr-Cr distances of 2.642(9) and 3.185(1) Å, respectively. Magnetization measurements of TiCrIr2B2 reveal ferrimagnetic behavior and a large, negative Weiss constant of -750 K. DFT calculations demonstrate a strong site preference of Cr for the triangle sites, as well as magnetic frustration due to indirect anti-ferromagnetic interactions within the Cr3 triangles.

Ba3Pt4Al4 was prepared from the elements in niobium ampules and crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure, space group Cmcm (oP44, a = 1073.07(3), b = 812.30(3), c = 1182.69(3) pm) isopointal to the Zintl phase A2Zn5As4 (A = K, Rb). The structure features strands of distorted [Pt4Al4] heterocubane-like units connected by condensation over Pt/Al edges. These are arranged in a hexagonal rod packing by further condensation over Pt and Al atoms with the barium atoms located inside cavities of the [Pt4Al4](δ-) framework. Structural relaxation confirmed the electronic stability of the new phase, while band structure calculations indicate metallic behavior. Crystal orbital Hamilton bonding analysis coupled with Bader effective charge analysis suggest a polar intermetallic phase in which strong Al-Pt covalent bonds are present, while a significant electron transfer from Ba to the [Pt4Al4](δ-) network is found. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements the Pt 4f5/2 and 4f7/2 energies for Ba3Pt4Al4 were found in the range of those of elemental Pt due to the electron transfer of Ba, while PtAl and PtAl2 show a pronounced shift toward a more cationic platinum state. (27)Al magic-angle spinning NMR investigations verified the two independent crystallographic Al sites with differently distorted tetrahedrally coordinated [AlPt4] units. Peak assignments could be made based on both geometrical considerations and in relation to electric field gradient calculations.

Analysis of the electronic density of states of the hypothetical ternary double-perovskite-like phases "Sc2T6B (T = Ir, Pd, Ni)" reveals the presence of deep and large pseudogaps between 61 and 68 valence electrons (VE) as well as a strong peak at 69 VEs. Subsequently, crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) bonding analysis shows that the heteroatomic T-B and Sc-T interactions are optimized in Sc2Ir6B (63 VE) but not in "Sc2Pd6B (69 VE)" and "Sc2Ni6B (69 VE)", thus indicating less stability for these VE-richer phases. These findings point out the possibility of discovering new double-perovskite-like borides through chemical substitution and lead to the study of the Sc2Ir6-xPdxB and Sc2Ir6-xNixB (x = 0-6; VE = 63-69) series, for which powder samples and single crystals were synthesized by arc melting the elements. Superstructure reflections were observed in the powder diffractograms of Sc2Ir6-xPdxB and Sc2Ir6-xNixB for x = 0-5 and VE = 63-68, thereby showing that these phases crystallize in the double-perovskite-like Ti2Rh6B-type structure (space group Fm3̅m, Z = 4). Single-crystal and Rietveld refinement results confirm and extend these findings because Pd (or Ni) is found to mix exclusively with Ir in all quaternary compositions. For x = 6, no superstructure reflections were observed, in accordance with the theoretical expectation for the 69 VE phases.

The synergistic combination of experiment and density functional theory has led to the discovery of the first ferromagnetic material, Nb6Fe(1-x)Ir(6+x)B8, containing in its crystal structure iron chains embedded in stacked B6 rings. The strong ferromagnetic Fe-Fe interactions found in the iron chains induce an unexpected strengthening of the B-B interactions in the B6 rings. Beside these strong B-B interactions, strong interlayer metal-boron bonds (Ir-B and Nb-B) ensure the overall structural stability of this phase, while the magnetic Fe-Fe interactions are mainly responsible for the observed ferromagnetic ordering below T(C)=350 K., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Members of the solid solution series of CeRu(1-x)Ni(x)Al can be obtained directly by arc melting of the elements. The presented compounds with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.85 crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) in the LaNiAl structure type, while for 0.9 ≤ x ≤ 1, the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure is found. The orthorhombic members exhibit an anomaly in the trend of the lattice parameters as well as an interesting behavior of the magnetic susceptibility, suggesting that the cerium cations exhibit no local moment. Besides the mixed-valent nature of the cerium cations, valence fluctuations along with a change in the cerium oxidation state depending on the nickel content have been found. The oxidation state has been determined from the magnetic data and additionally by XANES. Density functional theory calculations have identified the shortest Ce-Ru interaction as decisive for the stability of the orthorhombic solid solution.

The asymmetric unit of the title solvated mol-ecular salt, (C5H6N)[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]·CO(NH2)2, contains half a formula unit. Each component is completed by crystallographic twofold symmetry: in the cation, one C and the N atom lie on the rotation axis; in the anion, the Cr(III) ion lies on the axis; in the solvent mol-ecule, the C and the O atom lie on the axis. The aqua ligands are in a trans disposition in the resulting CrO6 octa-hedron. In the crystal, the components are linked by O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and N-H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network.

The title compound, (C(5)H(6)N)[Cr(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], contains one protonated pyridine mol-ecule and one [Cr(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](-) complex anion in the asymmetric unit. The Cr(III) in the complex anion is coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral environment by two O atoms from two cis water mol-ecules and four O atoms from two chelating oxalate dianions. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular N-H⋯O(oxalate) and O-H⋯O(oxalate) hydrogen bonds and by π-π stacking inter-actions (centroid-centroid distance = 3.602 Å) between pyridine rings, thereby building up a three-dimensional network.

In the title hybrid salt, (C(5)H(7)N(2))[Cr(H(2)O)(2)(C(2)O(4))(2)], the Cr(III) ion is coordinated in a slightly distorted octa-hedral environment by four O atoms from two oxalate ligands in the equatorial plane and by two water O atoms in the axial sites. The 2-amino-pyridinium cation is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.800 (7):0.200 (7) ratio. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect the components into a three-dimensional network. The crystal studied was an inversion twin with components in a ratio 0.75 (2):0.25 (2).

Transition-metal borides show not only promising physical properties but also a rich variety of crystal structures. In this context, quantum-chemical tools can shed light on important facets of the chemistry within such intermetallic borides. Using density-functional theory (DFT), we analyze in detail two phases of significant structural-chemical importance: the recently synthesized Ti(1+x)Os(2-x)RuB(2) and the isotypical Ti(1+x)Os(3-x)B(2). Starting from the observation of different Ti/Os occupations in X-ray crystal structure analysis, we assess suitable computational models and rationalize how the interplay of Ti-Ti, Ti-Os, and Os-Os bonds drives the site preferences. Then, we move on to a systematic investigation of the metal-boron bonds which embed the characteristic, trigonal-planar B(4) units within their metallic surroundings. Remarkably, the different Ti-B bonds in Ti(1+x)Os(2-x)RuB(2) (and also in its ternary derivative) are of vastly different strength, and the strength of these bonds does not correlate with their length. The tools presented in this work are based on simple and insightful chemical arguments together with DFT, and may subsequently be transferred to other intermetallic phases--transition-metal borides and beyond.

Single-phase polycrystalline samples of the compounds MRh(6)B(3) (M = Fe, Co) as well as single crystals of CoRh(6)B(3) have been synthesized by arc-melting the elements under a purified argon atmosphere in a water-cooled copper crucible. The characterization of the new phases was achieved by using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction as well as EDX measurements. The two phases are isotypic and crystallize in the hexagonal Th(7)Fe(3) structure type (space group P6(3)mc, no. 186, Z = 2). In this structure, the magnetically active atoms (Fe, Co) are preferentially found on only one of the three available rhodium sites, and together with rhodium they build a three-dimensional network of interconnected (Rh/M)(3) triangles. Magnetic properties investigations show that both phases order ferromagnetically below Curie temperatures of 240 K (for FeRh(6)B(3)) and 150 K (for CoRh(6)B(3)). First-principles DFT calculations correctly reproduce not only the lattice parameters but also the ground state magnetic ordering in the two phases. These calculations also show that the long-range magnetic ordering in both phases occurs via indirect ferromagnetic coupling between the iron atoms mediated by rhodium. This magnetic structural model also predicts the saturation magnetizations to be 4.02 μ(B) for FeRh(6)B(3) (3.60 μ(B) found experimentally) and 2.75 μ(B) for CoRh(6)B(3). Furthermore, both phases are predicted to be metallic conductors as expected for these intermetallic borides.

Single-phase polycrystalline samples and single crystals of the complex boride phases Ti(8)Fe(3)Ru(18)B(8) and Ti(7)Fe(4)Ru(18)B(8) have been synthesized by arc melting the elements. The phases were characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well as energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. They are new substitutional variants of the Zn(11)Rh(18)B(8) structure type, space group P4/mbm (no. 127). The particularity of their crystal structure lies in the simultaneous presence of dumbbells which form ladders of magnetically active iron atoms along the [001] direction and two additional mixed iron/titanium chains occupying Wyckoff sites 4h and 2b. The ladder substructure is ca. 3.0 Å from the two chains at the 4h, which creates the sequence chain-ladder-chain, establishing a new structural and magnetic motif, the scaffold. The other chain (at 2b) is separated by at least 6.5 Å from this scaffold. According to magnetization measurements, Ti(8)Fe(3)Ru(18)B(8) and Ti(7)Fe(4)Ru(18)B(8) order ferrimagnetically below 210 and 220 K, respectively, with the latter having much higher magnetic moments than the former. However, the magnetic moment observed for Ti(8)Fe(3)Ru(18)B(8) is unexpectedly smaller than the recently reported Ti(9)Fe(2)Ru(18)B(8) ferromagnet. The variation of the magnetic moments observed in these new phases can be adequately understood by assuming a ferrimagnetic ordering involving the three different iron sites. Furthermore, the recorded hysteresis loops indicate a semihard magnetic behavior for the two phases. The highest H(c) value (28.6 kA/m), measured for Ti(7)Fe(4)Ru(18)B(8), lies just at the border of those of hard magnetic materials., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

The electronic structures of "Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3), in connection to the recently synthesized Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8) (n=1, 2), have been investigated and analyzed using LSDA tight-binding calculations to elucidate the distribution of Fe and Ti, to determine the maximum Fe content, and to explore possible magnetic structures to interpret experimental magnetization results. Through a combination of calculations on specific models and using the rigid band approximation, which is validated by the DOS curves for "Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3), mixing of Fe and Ti is anticipated at both the 2b- and 4h-chain sites. The model "Ti(8.5)Fe(2.5)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0.5) revealed that both Brewer-type Ti-Ru interactions as well as ligand field splitting of the Fe 3d orbitals regulated the observed valence electron counts between 220 and 228 electrons/formula unit. Finally, models of magnetic structures were created using "Ti(6)Fe(5)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=3). A rigid band analysis of the LSDA DOS curves concluded preferred ferromagnetic ordering at low Fe content (n≤0.75) and ferrimagnetic ordering at higher Fe content (n>0.75). Ferrimagnetism arises from antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in the scaffold of Fe1-ladder and 4h-chain sites., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

Polycrystalline samples and single crystals of four members of the new complex boride series Ti(3-x)Ru(5-y)Ir(y)B(2+x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and 1 < y < 3) were synthesized by arc-melting the elements in a water-cooled copper crucible under an argon atmosphere. The new silvery phases were structurally characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well as energy- and wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. They crystallize with the tetragonal Ti(3)Co(5)B(2) structure type in space group P4/mbm (No. 127). Tetragonal prisms of Ru/Ir atoms are filled with titanium in the boron-poorest phase (Ti(3)Ru(2.9)Ir(2.1)B(2)). Gradual substitution of titanium by boron then results in the successive filling of this site by a Ti/B mixture en route to the complete boron occupation, leading to the boron-richest phase (Ti(2)Ru(2.8)Ir(2.2)B(3)). Furthermore, both ruthenium and iridium share two sites in these structures, but a clear Ru/Ir site preference is found. First-principles density functional theory calculations (Vienna ab initio simulation package) on appropriate structural models (using a supercell approach) have provided more evidence on the stability of the boron-richest and -poorest phases, and the calculated lattice parameters corroborate very well with the experimentally found ones. Linear muffin-tin orbital atomic sphere approximation calculations further supported these findings through crystal orbital Hamilton population bonding analyses, which also show that the Ru/Ir-B and Ru/Ir-Ti heteroatomic interactions are mainly responsible for the structural stability of these compounds. Furthermore, some stable and unstable phases of this complex series could be predicted using the rigid-band model. According to the density of states analyses, all phases should be metallic conductors, as was expected from these metal-rich borides.

In the title salt, (C(7)H(11)N(2))[Cr(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the asymmetric unit contains one half-cation and one half-anion. The Cr atom, the C and N atoms involved in C- N(exocyclic) bonding and the N and H atoms of N-H groups lie on twofold rotation axis. The Cr(III) atom of the complex anion is six-coordinated in a distorted (4 + 2) octa-hedral geometry with four equatorial O atoms of two nearly coplanar oxalate and two quasi-axial aqua O atoms. In the crystal, the protonated N atoms of the pyridine rings are hydrogen bonded to the carbonyl O atoms of the anions, forming chains along [010]. These chains are connected by lateral O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, stabilizing the structure.

Green single crystals of trans-tetraamminedibromidochromium(III) trans-diamminetetrabromidochromate(III), [CrBr2(NH3)4][CrBr4(NH3)2], are found to contain two symmetry-independent sixfold coordinated Cr(III) cations on centres of inversion. The structure is composed of octahedral trans-[CrBr2(NH3)4]+ cations and octahedral trans-[CrBr4(NH3)2]- anions, and adopts a distorted CsCl-type lattice. The cations and anions are linked by N-H...Br interactions. This is the first example in which both ions are mixed ammine-bromide Cr(III) complexes.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ni(C(2)H(6)N(4)O(2))(3)]SO(4)·5H(2)O, contains two complex cations, two sulfate anions and ten lattice water mol-ecules. In both independent cations, the central Ni(II) ion adopts a distorted octa-hedral coordination involving six imino N atoms of three bidentate oxamide dioxime ligands. The bulk structure is achieved by a three-dimensional network of O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds which inter-link the ionic partners and some water mol-ecules in such a manner that the lattice framework thus formed defines channels parallel to [100]. The other water mol-ecules are lodged inside these channels. Two of the ten water mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit are disordered over three sites, in 0.356 (3):0.324 (5):0.320 (5) and 0.247 (3):0.293 (6):0.460 (6) occupancy ratios, and one O atom of a sulfate ion is also disordered over two sites, with occupancies of 0.621 (5) and 0.379 (5).

Polycrystalline samples and single crystals of the complex boride Ti9Fe2Ru18B8 were synthesized by arc-melting the elements and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Ti9Fe2Ru18B8 is a new substitutional variant of the Zn11Rh18B8 structure type, space group P4/mbm (No. 127), whose remarkable feature is that it contains one-dimensional chains of dumbbells of magnetically active Fe atoms, which form "ladders" along the c axis. The Fe-Fe distance within a dumbbell is 2.489(2) A, and the Fe2-Fe2 distance between two dumbbells is 2.968(1) A; in contrast, the chains are well-separated from each other by distances of at least 11.217(2) A. According to the results of tight-binding electronic structure calculations, Ru-B and Ti-Ru contacts are responsible for the structural robustness, while Fe-Fe interactions influence the magnetic behavior. According to magnetization measurements, Ti9Fe2Ru18B8 orders ferromagnetically between 10 and approximately 200 K. A model for ferromagnetism in this ladder-based structure identifies ferromagnetic coupling among neighboring spin-triplet Fe2 dimers along the c axis as the origin of the magnetic behavior.

A monoclinic polymorph of the title compound, {[BaCu(C(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(5)]·H(2)O}(n), is reported. The structure is best described as a coordination polymer where the Cu(II) and Ba(II) centers are coordinated by five and nine O atoms, respectively, in capped quadratic antiprismatic and tetragonal pyramidal geometries. The polymerization arises due to the presence of bridging mono- and bidentate oxalate ligands as well as bridging water mol-ecules. The crystal structure is consolidated by a three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonding.

Synthesis, structure determination, and magnetic properties are reported for the metastable and crystal-chemically isotypic phases cobalt carbodiimide, CoNCN, and nickel carbodiimide, NiNCN, adopting the hexagonal system and space group P63/mmc (NiAs type) with interatomic distances of Co-N = 2.17 Angstrom and Ni-N = 2.12 Angstrom and an octahedral coordination of the transition-metal ions; the NCN(2-) units reveal the carbodiimide shape with two C=N double bonds. The low-susceptibility data go back to strong antiferromagnetic spin-spin coupling, similar to the behavior of the electronically related oxides CoO and NiO.

Single crystals of the complex boride series Sc(2)FeRu(5-n)Rh(n)B(2) (n=1, 3, 4) were synthesized by arc-melting the elements in water-cooled copper crucibles under argon atmospheres and were chemically characterized by single-crystal XRD and EDX analyses. The new compounds are isotypic and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm with Z=2, adopting a substitutional variant of the Ti(3)Co(5)B(2)-type structure. The magnetically active iron atoms are arranged in chains with intra- and interchain distances of about 3.02 and 6.60 A, respectively. Strong ferromagnetic interactions are observed for both Sc(2)FeRuRh(4)B(2) (64 valence electrons (VE), TC approximately 350 K, mu(a)=3.1 mu(B)) and Sc(2)FeRu(2)Rh(3)B(2) (63 VE, T(C) approximately 300 K, mu(a)=3.0 mu(B)), whereas antiferromagnetic interactions are found in the case of Sc(2)FeRu(4)RhB(2) (61 VE, T(N) approximately 10 K, mu(eff)=3.2): The magnetism of the entire Sc(2)FeRu(5-n)Rh(n)B(2) (0

The newly synthesized boride Ti(1+x)Os(2-x)RuB(2) (x = 0.6) has a novel structure featuring one-dimensional chains of titanium atoms, one-dimensional strings of face-sharing empty tetrahedral and square pyramidal clusters and, most importantly, trigonal planar and strongly bonded B4 units with a B-B distance of 1.89 A.

Eu8(NCN)4.95I6.10 is the first compound with discrete tritetrahedral Eu8 clusters which are interconnected by coordinating NCN2- carbodiimide anions on their triangular faces to form separated layers, the latter being bridged by iodide and carbodiimide anions.

Single crystals of LaSeTe(2) have been prepared by reaction of the elements in a LiCl/RbCl flux at 970 K for seven days. Satellite reflections observed in diffraction experiments indicate the presence of an incommensurate lattice distortion, which is of the charge-density-wave (CDW) type. The modulated structure has been solved from X-ray data at 173, 293, and 373 K. LaSeTe(2) crystallizes in the 3+1-dimensional orthorhombic superspace group Cmcm(00gamma)s00 (No. 63.2) with lattice parameters of a=4.295(1), b=25.371(4), c=4.306(1) A (173 K), a=4.297(1), b=25.408(4), c=4.309(1) A (293 K), and a=4.309(1), b=25.481(6), c=4.321(1) A (373 K). The modulation vector q=(0, 0, 0.288) does not change over the temperature interval. Electron holographic investigations confirm the existence of the modulation and help to visualize the charge-density wave.