DOE OSTI2020
YbCoB4 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pbam space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Yb3+ is bonded in a 4-coordinate geometry to fourteen B+1.50- atoms. There are a spread of Yb–B bond distances ranging from 2.56–2.68 Å. Co3+ is bonded in a 10-coordinate geometry to ten B+1.50- atoms. There are a spread of Co–B bond distances ranging from 2.16–2.26 Å. There are four inequivalent B+1.50- sites. In the first B+1.50- site, B+1.50- is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Yb3+, two equivalent Co3+, and three B+1.50- atoms. There are a spread of B–B bond distances ranging from 1.72–1.85 Å. In the second B+1.50- site, B+1.50- is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to two equivalent Yb3+, four equivalent Co3+, and three B+1.50- atoms. There is one shorter (1.68 Å) and one longer (1.71 Å) B–B bond length. In the third B+1.50- site, B+1.50- is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Yb3+, two equivalent Co3+, and three B+1.50- atoms. The B–B bond length is 1.79 Å. In the fourth B+1.50- site, B+1.50- is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Yb3+, two equivalent Co3+, and three B+1.50- atoms. The B–B bond length is 1.80 Å.