Synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of europium - manganese fluoride pnictides, EuMnPnF (Pn = P, As, Sb)

New compounds EuMnPnF (Pn = P, As, Sb) have been prepared via solid state route from elements and EuF3 at 900 °C. These compounds belong to the widespread LaAgSO structure type and crystallize in tetragonal unit cells with a = 4.0292(1) Å, c = 8.9505(2) Å for EuMnPF, a = 4.1227(1) Å, c = 9.0846(2) Å for EuMnAsF, and a = 4.3120(1) Å, c = 9.4356(2) Å for EuMnSbF. At low temperatures, the magnetic response is dominated by Eu2+. EuMnAsF and EuMnSbF exhibit Eu2+ antiferromagnetic ordering around 3 K, while EuMnPF is paramagnetic. According to the electrical resistivity measurements and density-functional calculations, all three compounds are narrow-gap semiconductors.233