NaCl/KCl flux single crystal growth and crystal structure of the new quaternary mixed-metal pnictide: BaCuZn3As3.

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new compound, BaCuZn(3)As(3), are reported. Single crystals of BaCuZn(3)As(3) are synthesized via NaCl/KCl flux reaction in a sealed fused silica ampule. Its elemental composition has been determined to be Ba/Cu/Zn/As = 1.03(4):1(0):2.91(6):2.98(3), suggesting BaCuZn(3)As(3) as the chemical formula. The structure of BaCuZn(3)As(3) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmcm space group with a = 4.2277(3) A, b = 12.970(1) A, and c = 12.011(1) A at T = 90.7 K, and it exhibits a columnar structure along the a-axis. This structure is isotypic to beta-BaCu(4)S(3) but highly distorted. beta-BaCu(4)S(3) is considered to be a layered structure whereas BaCuZn(3)As(3) is a three-dimensional network.