Solution-mediated synthesis of a three-dimensional zinc phosphate in the presence of a monoamine

Abstract

A new open-framework zinc phosphate of the formula [C₂H₅NH₃]₂[Zn₂(HPO₄)₃], I, has been synthesized at 60 °C in a THF-water medium in the presence of ethylamine. The structure consists of a network of strictly alternating ZnO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra forming 4- and 8-membered rings, which connect to form intersecting elliptical channels bound by 12- and 8-T atoms (T=Zn, P) along the c and b axes, respectively. The amine molecule sits in the channel bound by 12-T atoms and the -OH group of the HPO₄ unit protrudes into the 8- membered channel. An interesting feature of I is that it has a very low framework density. Crystal data: [C₂H₅NH₃]₂[Zn₂(HPO₄)₃], monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a=17.351(4), b=9.507(5), c=9.806(5) Å, β=102.68(2)°, V=1578.3(1) ų, Z=4.