Zr₅Ir₂In₄ – A Superstructure of the Lu₅Ni₂In₄ Type

Summary.

Zr₅Ir₂In₄ was synthesized by reaction of the elements in a glassy carbon crucible in a water-cooled sample chamber of an induction furnace. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction on both powder and single crystals. Zr₅Ir₂In₄ crystallizes with a pronounced Lu₅Ni₂In₄ type subcell, space group Pbam, a = 1739.5(6), b = 766.3(2), c = 338.9(2) pm. Weak additional reflections force a doubling of the subcell c axis. The superstructure of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is of a new type: Pnma, a = 1739.5(6), b = 677.8(2), c = 766.3(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0529, 1592 F² values, and 60 variable parameters. The group-subgroup scheme for the klassengleiche symmetry reduction is presented. The formation of the superstructure is most likely due to a puckering effect (size of the iridium atoms). The crystal chemistry of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is briefly discussed.