Crystal Structure of the Ternary Silicide SmRh5Si3.17.

The crystal structure of SmRh5Si3.17 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis (KM-4 automatic diffractometer, Mo Kα radiation). The compound SmRh5Si3.17 represents a new type of crystal structure of intermetallic alloys: space group P63/m, a=15.637(1) A, c=3.839(2) A, V=220.8(2) A3, Z=6, R=0.038 for 2316 independent reflections. The coordination numbers for the samarium atoms are 14 and 15, and for the rhodium atoms 10 and 12.