Complex interrupted tetrahedral frameworks in the nitridosilicates M7Si6N15 (M = La, Ce, Pr).

A new structure type of nitridosilicates with an interrupted framework has been identified for M(7)Si(6)N(15) with M = La, Ce, and Pr. The materials have been synthesized in a radio-frequency furnace at temperatures between 1550-1625 degrees C, starting from the respective metals, metal nitrides, and silicon diimide. The crystal structure of Ce(7)Si(6)N(15) has been determined by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.