Praseodymium hexaboride is a binary inorganic compound of praseodymium and boron with the formula . It forms black crystals that are insoluble in water.
Preparation
Praseodymium hexaboride can be prepared by reaction of stoichiometric quantities of praseodymium and boron:
Properties
Praseodymium hexaboride forms black crystals in the cubic crystal system, with space group Pmm, unit-cell parameter a = 0.4129 nm and Z = 1. Its structure is isotypic with that of calcium hexaboride.
The compound melts congruently at 2610 °C.
Praseodymium hexaboride undergoes magnetic ordering at low temperatures. An antiferromagnetic transition occurs near 7 K, and additional magnetic phase transitions have been reported at lower temperatures.
Praseodymium hexaboride is insoluble in water.
Uses
Praseodymium hexaboride is used as a component of alloys for cathodes in high-power electronic devices.
References