Complex rare-earth tetrelides, RE5(SixGe(1-x))4: new materials for magnetic refrigeration and a superb playground for solid state chemistry.

A "giant magnetocaloric effect" discovered in 1997 for Gd5Si2Ge2 near room temperature has triggered optimism that environmentally-friendly, solid-state magnetic refrigeration may be viable to replace gas-compression technology in the near future. Gd5Si2Ge2 is one member of an extensive series of rare-earth compounds, RE5(SixGe(1-x))4. Due to the complexity of their structures and flexibility associated with chemical compositions, this series is an attractive "playground" to study the interrelationships among composition, structure, physical properties and chemical bonding. This tutorial review, which is directed toward students and researchers interested in structure-property relationships in solids, summarizes recent efforts concerning the synthesis, structure, physical properties, chemical bonding and chemical modifications of RE5(SixGe(1-x))4. A brief history of refrigerants, to present certain motivating factors for this research effort, as well as a brief overview of the magnetocaloric effect serves to introduce this review.