Caught in Action. The Late Rare Earths Thulium and Lutetium Substituting Aluminum Atoms in the Structure of Ca14AlBi11

Described are two unprecedented cases, where the rare earth metals Tm and Lu partially substitute Al atoms in the structure of the Zintl phase Ca14AlBi11. These are the first examples within this large family where lanthanides replace the atoms of a main group element. Such crystal chemistry has never been observed before in other materials with the same structure. The uniqueness of this finding is also amplified by the fact that the rare earth metal atoms in the crystal structure are tetrahedrally coordinated, which is another remarkable trait of the new Tm- and Lu-substituted compounds.

Automated summary

The two unprecedented cases described involve the rare earth metals Tm and Lu partially substituting Al atoms in the Zintl phase Ca14AlBi11. This is the first instance within this family where lanthanides replace atoms of a main group element. The unique aspect of this finding is further emphasized by the tetrahedral coordination of the rare earth metal atoms in the crystal structure, a remarkable trait of these new Tm- and Lu-substituted compounds.