BACU2P4 - NEW TERNARY POLYPHOSPHIDE

BaCu2P4 (orthorhombic, space group Fddd, a = 5.435(0) rA, b = 18.973(1) rA, c = 10.244(1) rA, Z = 8) was prepared by heating the elements. The structure which was solved by single-crystal X-ray methods shows a tetrahedral coordination of copper by phosphorus atoms. The tetrahedra are edge shared to chains and their orientation leads parallel [100] to infinite fourfold helical chains of phosphorus which occurs in accordance with the formula Ba2+Cu22+P44- as {A figure is presented}(P-). Barium is located in hexagonal tubes built up by copper and phosphorus. The atomic arrangement of BaCu2P4 can be interpreted by the Zintl-Klemm-Busmann concept and derived from the structure of α-CdP2. © 1990.