Cage Adaption by High-Pressure Synthesis: The Clathrate-I Borosilicide Rb8B8Si38.

Rb8B8Si38 forms under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions at p = 8 GPa and T = 1273 K. The new compound (space group Pm3n, a = 9.9583(1) A) is the second example for a clathrate-I borosilicide. The phase is inert against strong acids and bases and thermally stable up to 1300 K at ambient pressure. (Rb+)8(B-)8(Si0)38 is electronically balanced, diamagnetic, and shows semiconducting behavior with moderate Seebeck coefficient below 300 K. Chemical bonding analysis by the electron localizability approach confirms the description of Rb8B8Si38 as Zintl phase.