The chain type nitridotantalate LiSr 2 [TaN 3 ]F was synthesized by reaction of strontium with AlF 3 , Eu(NH 2 ) 2 , LiN 3 and lithium metal as fluxing agent in weld shut tantalum ampoules. Single crystals were obtained as byproduct from reaction with the ampoule material. The crystal structure (Pbca (no. 61), a = 10.768(2), b = 5.5913(11), c = 15.891(3) Å, Z = 8) was solved on the basis of single-crystal X-
IntroductionOver the last decades ternary and multinary nitrides of group 5 transition metals have gained increasing attention. [1][2][3] As a consequence of the lanthanide contraction, similar crystal chemistry can be observed for the metals tantalum, niobium, and vanadium, as exemplified by the isotypic ternary nitrides Sr 2 TaN 3 , Sr 2 NbN 3 , and Sr 2 VN 3 . [4][5][6] All three compounds crystallize in Ba 2 ZnO 3 structure type forming non-branched, onedimensional chains of corner sharing TN 4 tetrahedra (T = Ta, Nb, V). Up to now only two examples of quaternary nitridotantalate compounds containing alkaline earth ions and halides are known from the literature. Ba 3 Ta 3 N 6 Cl and Ba 15 Ta 15 N 33 Cl 4 represent the first tantalum-containing nitride chlorides [7] and they are structurally related to the nitridophosphate Li x H 12-x-y-z [P 12 O y N 24-y ]X z (X = Cl, Br). [8,9] All three compounds adopt the NPO-type zeolite framework structure. [10] Here we report on the quinquinary compound LiSr 2 [TaN 3 ]F, which represents the first tantalum-containing nitride fluoride.
Results and DiscussionLiSr 2 [TaN 3 ]F was synthesized from strontium metal, AlF 3 , LiN 3 and an excess of lithium metal as a fluxing agent in weld shut tantalum crucibles at 900°C. The formation of the nitridotantalate occurs from a side reaction with the ampoule material. Since the title compound is sensitive against air and mois-