Lead flux crystal growth of Ce₂Ru₁₂P₇

Abstract

Well-shaped needles of the metal-rich phosphide Ce 2 Ru 12 P 7 were grown in a lead flux, while a polycrystalline sample became available through a ceramic route followed by arc-melting. Ce 2 Ru 12 P 7 crystallizes with the hexagonal Zr 2 Fe 12 P 7 type: P6 ̅ , a = 940.7(2), c = 389.8(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0342, 1001 F 2 values and 45 variables. Striking structural motifs in the Ce 2 Ru 12 P 7 structure are tri-capped trigonal prisms that are centered by the phosphorus atoms: P1@Ru 7 Ce 2 , P2@Ru 7 Ce 2 and P3@Ru 9 . Adjacent prisms are condensed via common edges to propeller-like building units.