Synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior of a new gadolinium thiosilicate:: Gd4[SiS4]3

Single crystals of the title compound were prepared from the elements by a solid state reaction in an iodine atmosphere. Data collection were carried out using a STOE image plate detector at 293 K. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n of the monoclinic system isotypically to Tb-4[SiS4](3) with four formular units in cells of dimensions: a = 986.7(2)pm, b=1099.69(19)pm, c = 1646.2(4) pm, beta = 102.67(3)degrees. The corresponding residual (all data) for the refined structure is 3.09%. The magnetic behavior of the compound was investigated on powdered samples in a temperature range between 1.7 and 300 K. The deviations from the Curie-behavior could be interpreted by the molecular field approach. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.