Synthesis and Structure of Two New Strontium Germanium Nitrides: Sr(3)Ge(2)N(2) and Sr(2)GeN(2).

Clarke SJ, Kowach GR, DiSalvo FJ

We report the structures of two new strontium germanium nitrides synthesized as crystals from the elements in sealed Nb tubes at 750 degrees C using liquid Na as a growth medium. Sr(3)Ge(2)N(2) is isostructural with the previously reported Ba analogue. It crystallizes in P2(1)/m (No. 11), with a = 9.032(2) Å, b = 3.883(1) Å, c = 9.648(2) Å and beta = 112.42(3) degrees, and has two formula units per unit cell. It contains GeN(2)(4)(-) units and additionally |Ge(2)(-) zigzag chains. Sr(2)GeN(2) crystallizes in P4(2)/mbc (No. 135) with a= b = 11.773(2) Å and c= 5.409(1) Å and has Z = 8. It also contains GeN(2)(4)(-) units which have 18 valence electrons and, consequently are bent, like the isoelectronic molecule SO(2).