B3O4(OH) · 0.5(C4H10N2): First organic–inorganic hybrid borate with a neutral layered framework

A novel hybrid borate B3O4(OH) · 0.5(C4H10N2) 1 was synthesized under milder hydrothermal conditions. The product was characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structure consists of two types of inorganic borate helices cohered by piperazine rings, giving rise to a neutral hybrid sheet. The adjacent layers are stacked in a parallel fashion and further stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions.