MgPt: Anionic Chains in a EuGa-Type Structure.

The binary phase MgPt was prepared by direct reaction between the elements or by spark-plasma synthesis starting with MgH and PtCl. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group 2/ with = 7.2096(3) Å, = 7.1912(4) Å, = 6.8977(3) Å, and β = 106.072(3)° and is isotypic to EuGa. Analysis of the electron density within the quantum theory of atoms in molecules shows a significant charge transfer from Mg to Pt in agreement with the electronegativity difference. Further study of the chemical bonding with the electron localizability approach reveals the formation of Pt chains stabilized by a complex system of multicenter interactions involving Mg and Pt species. The metallic character of MgPt is confirmed by electronic structure calculations and physical measurements.