Synthesis of Arsenopyrite-Type Rhodium Pernitride RhN2 from a Single-Source Azide Precursor

Nitrogen-rich noble metal nitrides possess unique mechanical and catalytic properties, therefore their synthesis and characterization is of interest for fundamental solid state chemistry and materials science. In this study we have synthesized a novel single-source precursor [Rh(NH3)(6)](3)(N-3)(5)Cl-4 (Rh/N ratio 1:11). Its controlled decomposition in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell at 39 GPa resulted in a formation of rhodium pernitride RhN2. According to the results of single-crystal X-ray diffraction RhN2 has arsenopyrite structure type previously unknown for this compound [P2(1)/c (no. 14), a = 4.694(3), b = 4.7100(6), c = 4.7198(7) angstrom, beta =109.83(3) degrees at 39 GPa].