Synthesis, structure and properties of a new Zintl phase: SrLiSb

A new ternary antimonide SrLiSb has been synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray studies. It is found to crystallize in the anti-PbCl2 structure type with orthorhombic cell (centrosymmetric S.G., Pnma  ; a=8.0408(8)Å, b=4.8145(5)Å, c=8.4517(9)Å) and is isostructural to its calcium analogue (CaLiSb). However, BaLiSb has been reported to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P63/mmc. As in the Ca and Ba analogues, antimony is present as isolated Sb3− ions making SrLiSb electron precise and hence is expected to behave as a classical Zintl compound. The magnetic susceptibility measurements show the diamagnetic nature and the conductivity is temperature independent, both verifying the classical Zintl nature of SrLiSb.

An ∼[010] representation of the structure of SrLiSb. Indigo represent antimony atoms surrounded by red and the yellow spheres representing strontium and lithium atoms respectively forming the corners of trigonal prisms. The trigonal prisms are linked through Sr forming the zig-zag chains of trigonal prismatic columns.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide