Synthesis, structure and properties of a new Zintl phase: SrLiSb

A new ternary antimonide SrLiSb has been synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray Studies. It is found to crystallize in the anti-PbCl2 structure type with orthorhombic cell (centrosymmetric S.G., Pnma; a = 8.0408(8) angstrom, b = 4.8145(5) angstrom, c = 8.4517(9) angstrom) and is isostructural to its calcium analogue (CaLiSb). However, BaLiSb has been reported to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6(3)/mmc. As in the Ca and Ba analogues, antimony is present as isolated Sb3- ions making SrLiSb electron precise and hence is expected to behave as a classical Zintl compound. The magnetic susceptibility measurements show the diamagnetic nature and the conductivity is temperature independent, both verifying the classical Zintl nature of SrLiSb. (C) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.