Sm2NiSn4: The intermediate structure type between ZrSi2 and CeNiSi2

A new rare earth nickel stannide, Sm2NiSn4, has been prepared by reacting the pure elements at high temperature in welded tantalum tubes. Its crystal structure was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Sm2NiSn4 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=16.878(2) Å, b=4.4490(7) Å, c=8.915(1) Å, and Z=4. Its structure can be viewed as the intermediate type between ZrSi2 and CeNiSi2. Sm2NiSn4 features two-dimensional (2D) corrugated [NiSn4]6− layers in which the 1D Sn zigzag chains and the 2D Sn square sheets are bridged by Ni atoms. The Sm3+ cations are located at the interlayer space. Results of both resistivity measurements and extended-Hückel tight-binding band structure calculations indicate that Sm2NiSn4 is metallic.