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; image, image, image) and is isostructural to its calcium analogue (CaLiSb). However, BaLiSb has been reported to crystallize in the hexagonal space group P63/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.