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 Pm3̅n, a = 9.9583(1) Å) 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.