We report magnetic and transport properties of a quaternary borocarbide ${\text{PrRh}}_2{\text{B}}_2\text{C}$ based on magnetization, resistivity, and specific-heat studies. This compound forms in ${\text{LuNi}}_2{\text{B}}_2\text{C}$-type tetragonal structure (space group $I4/mmm$) and does not exhibit magnetic ordering or superconductivity down to 0.5 K. The crystal-field analysis of specific-heat data suggests a singlet ground state in this compound. The high value of the Sommerfeld coefficient, $\gamma \approx 250\text{mJ}/\text{mole}{\text{K}}^2$, together with a singlet ground state suggests that the heavy fermion behavior in ${\text{PrRh}}_2{\text{B}}_2\text{C}$ results from the interaction of the conduction electrons with the low-lying crystal-field excitations. No signature of magnetic ordering or superconductivity is observed in ${\text{PrRh}}_2{\text{B}}_2\text{C}$ under the application of pressure up to 23 kbar.

• Received 26 October 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.113107