Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of the New Boride Solid Solutions M0.5Ru6.5B3 (M = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni)

Powder samples and single crystals of the borides M0.5Ru6.5B3 (M = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) were synthesized by arc‐melting the elements in a water‐cooled copper crucible under argon. The new phases were structurally characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction as well as EDX‐Analyses. They crystallize in the hexagonal Th7Fe3 structure type (space group P63mc, no. 186, Z = 2) and a pronounced site preferential M/Ru substitution is observed. Magnetic properties of the compounds were investigated and Pauli paramagnetism was observed in all cases. However, a strong temperature dependency is subsequently observed in Mn0.5Ru6.5B3 below 250 K, but no hint of magnetic ordering was found.