Structure refinement of AuSn2

Abstract

Well-shaped single crystals of binary AuSn2 were obtained as a side product during the synthesis of LiAu3Sn4. The structure of AuSn2 has been studied by X-ray diffractometer data: Pbca, Z = 8, a = 689.8(1), b = 701.1(1), c = 1177.3(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0533, 1234 F2 values, and 29 variables. The gold atoms show a distorted octahedral coordination by tin at Au-Sn distances ranging from 272 to 283 pm. The structure can be considered as an intergrowth of pyrite and marcasite related slabs. Consequently one observes Sn1-Sn2 dumb-bells with a Sn-Sn distance of 289 pm, while all other Sn-Sn distances are larger than 322 pm. © 2006 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.