Borides catenation

The structures of metal-rich borides can be systematized by the schematic arrangements shown in Fig. 6.6, which illustrates the increasing tendency of B atoms to catenate as their concentration in the boride phase increases the B atoms are often at the centres of trigonal prisms of metal atoms (Fig. 6.7) and the various stoichiometries are accommodated as follows ... 

Figure 6.6 Idealized patterns of boron catenation in metal-rich borides. Examples of the structures (a)-(f) are given in the text. Boron atoms are often surrounded by trigonal prisms of M atoms as shown in Fig. 6.7.

Idealized patterns of boron catenation in metal-rich borides (a) isolated boron atoms, (b) B-B pairs, (c) single chain, (d) branched chain, (e) double chain,... 

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