Colossal magnetoresistance in a rare earth zintl compound with a new structure type:: EuIn2P2

Single crystals of a new Zintl compound, EuInP2, were grown from indium metal as a flux solvent. ;The compound crystallizes in the hexagonal P6(3)/mmc space group with a unit cell of a = 4.0829(6) angstrom, c = 17.595(4) angstrom, and Z = 2. It contains alternating Eu2+ layers and [In-2)P-2)](2-) layers. This compound is paramagnetic at high temperatures with a magnetic transition at 24 K. In the magnetically ordered state, it shows large magnetic anisotropy. The temperature-dependent resistivity of this compound suggests interaction between conduction electrons and local spins. Negative colossal magnetoresistance of up to -398% (MR = {[rho(H) - rho(0)/rho(H)} x 100%) at 5 T is observed at 24 K.