Description:
The new ternary stannide PrRuSn was synthesized from the elements via arc-melting. PrRuSn is isopointal to the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma. The structure was characterized by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction: a = 761.7(2), b = 483.9(2) and c = 730.3(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0386, 433 F2 values, 20 variables. The ruthenium and tin atoms in PrRuSn build up a three-dimensional [RuSn] polyanionic network with Ru-Sn distances in the range 268 - 274 pm. The praseodymium atoms fill channels within the polyanion. They bind to the network via short Pr-Ru distances of 301 and 302 pm. Electronic structure calculations on PrRuSn and isopointal PrPdSn underline these features and reveal strong T-Sn (T = Ru, Pd) interactions within both solid state structures.