A Nitridic Clathrate: P₄N₄(NH)₄(NH₃)

Abstract

A new structure type, predicted as a possible candidate clathrasil structure, is exhibited by P4N4(NH)4(NH3), which is the first microporous nitridic clathrate (see picture; blue N, pink P, dark gray H). P4N4(NH)4(NH3) was synthesized at 11 GPa and 600 °C, and its crystal structure was determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The presence of intercalated ammonia was verified by mass chromatography and IR spectroscopy.