Lanthanum tetra­zinc, LaZn₄

The structure of LaZn₄ has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the first time, approximately 70 years after its first discovery. The structure is closely related to the BaAl₄, La₃Al₁₁, BaNi₂Si₂ and CaCu₅ structure types, which can be presented as close-packed arrangements of 18-vertex clusters, in this case LaZn₁₈.