SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, ELECTRIC, AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF CANIN

We report the synthesis and physical properties of the new ternary nitride CaNiN, prepared by the reaction of Ca3N2 and Ni in N2 gas at 1000°C. The structure, determined by the method of X-ray powder diffraction, is tetragonal ( P42 mmc) with a = 3.5809(2) Å, c = 7.0096(3) Å, and Z = 2. While the structure is a simple but uncommone one, with all atoms occupying fixed special positions, it features interesting-NiNNiN-linear chains. Conductivity and magnetic measurements show that CaNiN is metallic and paramagnetic. © 1990.