Synthesis, Characterization and Structure of Mu-7, a New Layered Aluminophosphate with a 4 × 8 Network

A new layered aluminophosphate (Mu-7) was prepared in a quasi non aqueous system, using methylformamide (MF) as solvent in addition to restricted amounts of water. MF is decomposed during the synthesis and the resulting methylamine is found occluded in the interlayer spacing of this new material. Mu-7 is built from zigzag ladder chains leading to layers containing only 4- and 8-membered rings. It is the first layered aluminophosphate having a 4 × 8 network.