Rare-Earth Nickel Nitridoborates with (BN) Anions: Characterized RENi(BN) and Anticipated REM(BN) Compounds†

The compounds RENi(BN) with RE = Y, La, Ce, Pr, Tm and Yb were synthesized by solid state reactions from metal powders and α-BN at temperatures between 1000° and 1200 °C. In addition, the mixed phases (Ca,Yb)Ni(BN) and (Ca,Tm)Ni(BN) were synthesized. All products were characterized by powder XRD measurements and indexed isotypic with the structure of CaNi(BN), consistent with the tetragonal space group P4/nmm. The bonding conditions of the (BN) anion are discussed in a perspective view on new nitridoborate compounds REM(BN) containing transition metal atoms (M) other than Ni.