Solvothermal synthesis and structures of one- and two-dimensional zinc phosphates

Two new zinc phosphates, [C8N4H26][Zn2(HPO4)4] (I) and [C8N4H26][Zn6(PO4)4(HPO4)2] (II) have been synthesized employing solvothermal reactions in the presence of N,N′(3-bisaminopropyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine. The structure of I consists of ZnO4 and HPO4 tetrahedra, forming four-membered rings, which are connected edgewise giving rise to the one-dimensional ladders. HPO4 units also hang from the Zn center into the inter-ladder spaces along with the organic amine molecules. In II, the connectivity between ZnO4, PO4 and HPO4 tetrahedral units gives rise to a two-dimensional layered structure with eight-membered apertures. The amine molecule occupies the center of these apertures and interacts with the layer through hydrogen bonds. The formation of one-dimensional tube-like structure in II is noteworthy.