ScRe2O6: A new ternary oxide with metallic Re–Re-bonds and a ferromagnetic component above room temperature

AbstactA new phase in the system Sc–Re–O, ScRe2O6, was synthesized for the first time in sealed silica tubes and its crystal structure was solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. ScRe2O6 (space group P21/a, a=5.6176(9) Å, b=4.7970(9) Å, c=7.5143(16) Å, β=97.49(2)°, Z=2) crystallizes in a new rutile-type structure, derived from three formula units by splitting the cation site in ratio 1:2. Re2O10 clusters can be considered as structural units, in which the rhenium ions form pairs by metallic bonds with a Re–Re distance of 2.523(3) Å. No phase transition was observed in the temperature range of 295–930 K. The compound has a metallic character of conductivity in the temperature range of at least 4–950 K and displays a ferromagnetic ordering above room temperature (“unconventional Re-magnetism”).

Graphical abstractCrystal structure of ScRe2O6 in the ac-plane showing the [Re2O6]n layers separated by Sc-layersFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide