Amalgams have played an important role in fundamental
and applied
solid-state chemistry and physics because of the diversity of crystallographic
features and properties that they have to offer. Moreover, their peculiar
chemical properties can sometimes give rise to unconventional superconducting
or magnetic ground states. In the current work, we present an in-depth
analysis of single crystals of YHg3and LuHg3(Mg3Cd structure type, space groupP63/mmc). Both compounds show superconductivity
belowTc= 1 ± 0.1 K (YHg3) andTc= 1.2 ± 0.1 K (LuHg3). Given the high air-sensitivity and toxicity of these compounds,
this study was only possible using a number of dedicated experimental
techniques.