Novel RNi8Si3 (R=Gd, Tb) compounds have been synthesized and characterized.
GdNi8Si3 and TbNi8Si3 are isostructural compounds, belonging to a new monoclinic structure type.
The monoclinic GdNi8Si3 type is an ordered derivative of the tetragonal BaCd11 type.
The large R–R interatomic distances mediated via Ni–Si network lead to a weak magnetism.
Both compounds GdNi8Si3 and TbNi8Si3 show antiferromagnetic-like order around 3 K.