Abstract
Rb(8)B(8)Si(38) 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)(Si(0))(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 Rb(8)B(8)Si(38) as Zintl phase.