Zirconium silicide and germanide chalcogenides preparation and crystal structures

The tetragonal sublimates obtained by prolonged tempering of preparations of compositions about ZrX0.75 (X = S, Se, Te) in evacuated quartz tubes1, 2, are found to be ternary compounds ZrSiX. These novel compounds can be prepared conveniently by reaction of “SiX” with zirconium metal at elevated temperatures. The analogous germanium compounds are prepared in a similar way. The crystal structures of the ZrSiX and ZrGeX phases are related to the PbFCl structure type. Unit-cell dimensions, atomic parameters (see Table I) and interatomic distances (see Table II) have been determined; they are discussed in some detail.