Barium pentastannide

Barium pentastannide, BaSn5, is the second compound obtained in the Ba/Sn system (Pearson symbol: hP5; space group: P6/mmm, a = b = 5.357 ? , c = 7.065 ? , β= 120°). The compound represents a new structure type.
In this structure, a double layer of tin atoms can be found building hexagonal networks. The resulting hexagonal prisms are centered by tin atoms. The Ba atoms can be found between two double layers. BaSn5 shows a two-dimensional slab of face-sharing hexagonal prisms which are formed by two superimposed graphite-like layers of Sn₆^2- clusters.