Sm5Si3 crystallizes in the hexagonal P6_3/mcm space group. There are two inequivalent Sm sites. In the first Sm site, Sm(1) is bonded in a 6-coordinate geometry to six equivalent Si(1) atoms. In the second Sm site, Sm(2) is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to five equivalent Si(1) atoms. Si(1) is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Sm(1) and five equivalent Sm(2) atoms.
Sm5Si3 crystallizes in the hexagonal P6_3/mcm space group. There are two inequivalent Sm sites. In the first Sm site, Sm(1) is bonded in a 6-coordinate geometry to six equivalent Si(1) atoms. All Sm(1)-Si(1) bond lengths are 3.13 Å. In the second Sm site, Sm(2) is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to five equivalent Si(1) atoms. There are a spread of Sm(2)-Si(1) bond distances ranging from 2.98-3.53 Å. Si(1) is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Sm(1) and five equivalent Sm(2) atoms.