Materials Data on MgSi2 by Materials Project

MgSi2 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Mg is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to nine Si atoms. There are a spread of Mg–Si bond distances ranging from 2.80–3.06 Å. There are two inequivalent Si sites. In the first Si site, Si is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to five equivalent Mg and three equivalent Si atoms. There are two shorter (2.44 Å) and one longer (2.54 Å) Si–Si bond lengths. In the second Si site, Si is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Mg and four Si atoms. The Si–Si bond length is 2.39 Å.