Crystal structure and low-temperature physical properties of CePd0.427Sn2

• CePd1−xSn2 exists within a composition range 0.57 ≤ x ≤ 0.67.
• CePd0.427Sn2 crystallizes with a defect CeNiSi2-type structure.
• Cerium ions in CePd0.427Sn2 are trivalent.
• CePd0.427Sn2 exhibits weak Kondo effect.
• CePd0.427Sn2 probably orders antiferromagnetically at low temperatures.

The ternary stannide CePd0.427Sn2 was investigated by means of powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic, electrical transport and heat capacity measurements. Phase stability studies showed that CePd0.427Sn2 forms within a linear composition range of the stannide CePd1−xSn2 set by 0.57 ≤ x ≤ 0.67. The compound was found to crystallize with a defect CeNiSi2-type structure, space group Cmcm, a = 4.558(3) Å, b = 17.410(11) Å, c = 4.4849(17) Å (single-crystal data). Physical measurements revealed that CePd0.427Sn2 is a Curie–Weiss paramagnet due to the sublattice of trivalent Ce ions. The compound exhibits weak Kondo effect and probably orders antiferromagnetically below about 1.5 K.