Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic properties of the antiferromagnetic double perovskites Ln2LiOsO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm)

A series of osmium double perovskite oxides, Ln2LiOsO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm), has been prepared as single crystals from acidic molten hydroxide. All four oxides crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n (Glazer tilt system #10, a−a−b+), forming a 1:1 ordered rock salt lattice of Li+ and Os5+ cations. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that these compounds are antiferromagnetic at low temperature with ordering temperatures of 39, 35, 23, and 32 K for Ln2LiOsO6 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm), respectively.