Lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn4.

The structure of lanthanum tetrazinc, LaZn(4), has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the first time, approximately 70 years after its discovery. The compound exhibits a new structure type in the space group Cmcm, with one La atom and two Zn atoms occupying sites with m2m symmetry, and one Zn atom occupying a site with 2.. symmetry. The structure is closely related to the BaAl(4), La(3)Al(11), BaNi(2)Si(2) and CaCu(5) structure types, which can be presented as close-packed arrangements of 18-vertex clusters, in this case LaZn(18). The kindred structure types contain related 18-vertex clusters around atoms of the rare earth or alkaline earth metal.