Preparation of Single Crystals of LaAl and X‐Ray Structure Determination.

Single crystals of the compound LaAl have been prepared by the reaction of a mixture of lanthanum and aluminium under nitrogen at 950°C. Previously reported crystal structure data determined by X-ray powder diffraction are now confirmed by an X-ray single crystal structure analysis on LaAl: space group Cmcm, Z=8, a=9.455(1) A, b=7.753(1) A, c=5.791(1) A, R1/wR2=2.4/5.6, N(F2≥2σ(I2))=685, N(var.)=16. The structure of LaAl contains zig-zag chains formed by two crystallographically independent Al atoms with alternating angles Al–Al–Al of 64° and 180°. The chains are connected via lanthanum atoms.