The new metastable binary silicides MSi(3) (M = Ca, Y, Lu) have been synthesized by high-pressure, high-temperature reactions at pressures between 12(2) and 15(2) GPa and temperatures from 900(100) to 1400(150) K. The atomic patterns comprise intricate silicon layers of condensed molecule-like Si(2) dimers. The alkaline-earth element adopts the oxidation state +2, while the rare-earth and transition metals realize +3. All of the compounds exhibit BCS-type superconductivity with weak electron-phonon coupling below critical temperatures of up to 7 K.
Gadolinium disulfide was prepared by high‐pressure synthesis at 8 GPa and 1173 K. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P121/a1 (No. 14) with lattice parameters a = 7.879(1) Å; b = 3.936(1) Å, c = 7.926(1) Å and β = 90.08(1)°. The crystal structure is a twofold superstructure of the aristotype ZrSSi and consists of puckered cationic [GdS]+ double slabs that are sandwiched by planar sulfur sheets containing S22– dumbbells. The thermal decomposition of GdS2 proceeds via the sulfur‐deficient polysulfides GdS1.9, GdS1.85 and GdS1.77 and eventually results in the sesquisulfide Gd2S3. GdS2 is a paramagnetic semiconductor which orders antiferromagnetically at TN = 7.7(1) K. A metamagnetic transition is observed in the magnetically ordered state.
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