A novel layered bimetallic phosphite intercalating with organic amines: Synthesis and characterization of Co(H2O)4Zn4(HPO3)6·C2N2H10

A new layered cobalt–zinc phosphite, Co(H2O)4Zn4(HPO3)6·C2N2H10 has been synthesized in the presence of ethylenediamine as the structure-directing agent. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Cc (No. 9), a=18.2090(8), b=9.9264(7), c=15.4080(7) Å, β=114.098(4)°, V=2542.3(2) Å3, Z=4, R=0.0323, wR=0.0846. The structure consists of ZnO4 tetrahedra, CoO6 octahedra and HPO3 pseudopyramids through their vertices forming bimetallic phosphite layers parallel to the ab plane. Organic cations, which reside between the inorganic layers, are mobile and can be exchanged by NH4+ cations without the collapse of the framework.