Sm3S3BO3: The First Sulfide Borate without S–O and B–S Bonds

An unprecedented quaternary sulfide borate, Sm3S3BO3 (1), was obtained via a high-temperature solid-state synthesis method. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1̅, and its 3D structure features a 2D (Sm2S2)∞ wrinkled layer and a 1D (SmS)∞ ladderlike chain bridged by trigonal-planar (BO3)(3-) through Sm-O bonds, demonstrating the first sulfide borate without S-O and B-S bonds. Its optical energy gap is measured to be around 2.5 eV and verified by electronic structure calculation.