Synthesis of new structurally related cyanamide compounds LiM(CN2)2 where M is Al3+, In3+ or Yb3+

Abstract New ternary cyanamide compounds isostructural to LiY(CN 2 ) 2 were obtained by solid state metathesis reaction. The crystal structure of LiAl(CN 2 ) 2 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, the structures of LiIn(CN 2 ) 2 and LiYb(CN 2 ) 2 were solved from X-ray powder diffraction data. Photoluminescence properties of Tb 3+ -doped LiIn(CN 2 ) 2 are reported too.