DOE OSTI2020
La2Rh3Si5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Ibam space group. The structure is three-dimensional. La is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to seven Rh and ten Si atoms. There are a spread of La–Rh bond distances ranging from 3.18–3.45 Å. There are a spread of La–Si bond distances ranging from 3.07–3.27 Å. There are two inequivalent Rh sites. In the first Rh site, Rh is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to five equivalent La and five Si atoms. There are a spread of Rh–Si bond distances ranging from 2.44–2.48 Å. In the second Rh site, Rh is bonded in a 6-coordinate geometry to four equivalent La and six Si atoms. There are four shorter (2.47 Å) and two longer (2.69 Å) Rh–Si bond lengths. There are three inequivalent Si sites. In the first Si site, Si is bonded in a 4-coordinate geometry to four equivalent La and four equivalent Rh atoms. In the second Si site, Si is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to four equivalent La, three Rh, and two equivalent Si atoms. Both Si–Si bond lengths are 2.54 Å. In the third Si site, Si is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent La, three Rh, and two equivalent Si atoms.