Na7Sn12: a binary Zintl phase with a two-dimensional covalently bonded tin framework.

Na(7)Sn(12) was synthesized by quenching of stoichiometric amounts of the elements (700 degrees C) in a sealed niobium ampule and further thermal treatment at 270 degrees C for 40 days. Single crystals of Na(7)Sn(12) were obtained from a mixture with the composition Na(6)SrSn(16). The structure of Na(7)Sn(12) consists of two-dimensional polyanions 2 (infinity) [Sn(12)(7-)], which are separated by Na atoms. Bonding Sn-Sn contacts in the polyanion vary between 2.827(2) and 3.088(2) A. Crystal data: monoclinic, P2/n, Z = 4, a = 13.375(3) A, b = 9.239(2) A, c = 17.976(4) A, gamma = 90.15(3) degrees, V = 2243.0(8) A(3), mu = 13.22 mm(-1), d(calc) = 4.694 g cm(-3), R1(F) = 6.1% (for all reflections). Extended-Hückel tight-binding calculations with the implementation the electron localization function (ELF) reveal that Na(7)Sn(12) can be viewed as an intermetallic compound with exclusively localized bonding and nonbonding regions as expected from the 8 - N rule. Thus Na(7)Sn(12) is a Zintl phase with the formula (Na(+))(7)[(2b)Sn(2)(-)](1)[(3b)Sn(-)](5)[(4b)Sn(0)](6).