Synthesis and structure of a new layered phase in the lanthanide thiophosphates: LuPS4

The single crystal structure of LuPS4 (1), is reported. The space group is monoclinic, P21/n. Unit cell dimensions are a=8.1373(11) Å, b=6.4250(9) Å, c=10.6289(15) Å, β=97.62(2)°. The bond valency of 1 is also reported and used to explain the corrugated layers found in the structure of LuPS4. The structural motif of LuPS4 is unique among the lanthanide thiophosphates and appears similar to the reported structure of ScPS4.