Symmetry and properties of inorganic transition element compounds

Structure of inorganic rare earth compounds was studied from the viewpoint of symmetry of rare earth ion position. Two groups of compounds were distinguished: 1) compounds with homogeneous or constant intermediate valence, where rare earth ions with different valence occupy one regular system of points (Ln4Sb3, CeN, LaO, SmS); 2) compounds, where rare earth ions with integer, but different valence occupy two or more regular systems of points (Eu3O4, Yb3S4, LnF4). Intermetallic compounds with heavy fermions, possessing anomalous temperature dependence of specific resistance (CeAl3, UPt3, UBe13, CePd3) and materials with high magnetostriction (TbFe2, Tb(Cu0.15Fe0.85)2) were noted