Li ₁₆ Sr ₆ Ge ₆ N, Li ₁₆ Sr ₆ Ge _6.5 and related lithium alkaline‐earth metal tetrelides: Alternative filling of voids by nitride or tetrelide ions

Large black single crystals with a metallic luster of Li16Sr6Ge6N and several other representatives the series Li16Ae6Tt6N Li16Ae6Tt6.5 (Ae=Ca, Sr; Tt=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) were grown from mixtures respective elements addition binary alkaline-earth metal nitrides or lithium nitride in case nitrides. For synthesis modified high-temperature centrifugation-aided filtration (HTCAF) technique using reactive melts was employed. These phases crystallize an ordered defect-variant Sc11Ir4 type selective occupation smaller octahedral voids origin (000) N larger rhombic dodecahedral (00 ) Tt. Charge balance assuming presence exclusively closed shell ions for all examples accounts electronic excess. Diamagnetism despite properties is consistent results structure calculations.