Identifying a Structural Preference in Reduced Rare-Earth Metal Halides by Combining Experimental and Computational Techniques

The structures of two new cubic {TnLa3}­Br3 (Tn = Ru, Ir; I4132, Z = 8; Tn = Ru: a = 12.1247(16) Å, V = 1782.4(4) Å3; Tn = Ir: a = 12.1738(19) Å, V = 1804.2(5) Å3) compounds belonging to a family of reduced rare-earth metal halides were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, the isoelectronic compound {RuLa3}­I3 crystallizes in the monoclinic modification of the {TnR3}­X3 family, while {IrLa3}­I3 was found to be isomorphous with cubic {PtPr3}­I3. Using electronic structure calculations, a pseudogap was identified at the Fermi level of {IrLa3}­Br3 in the new cubic structure. Additionally, the structure attempts to optimize (chemical) bonding as determined through the crystal orbital Hamilton populations (COHP) curves. The Fermi level of the isostructural {RuLa3}­Br3 falls below the pseudogap, yet the cubic structure is still formed. In this context, a close inspection of the distinct bond frequencies reveals the subtleness of the structure determining factors.