(CN3H6)2·Zn4H5(PO4)5, a New Layered Guanidinium Zinc Phosphate Built Up from 3-, 4-, and 8-Ring Units

The solution-mediated synthesis and single crystal structure of (CN3H6)2·Zn4H5(PO4)5, a new guanidinium zinc phosphate, are described. The use of high-intensity synchrotron radiation was necessary to determine the correct unit cell for this phase. Unlike the previously described one-dimensional or three-dimensional guanidinium zinc phosphates, this material has a strongly layered nature. Vertex-linked ZnO4, HPO4, and H2PO4 building units self-assemble into complex sheets containing polyhedral 3-rings, 4-rings, and 8-rings. The intersheet guanidinium cations provide charge compensation and interact with the layers via N–H···O hydrogen bonds. Crystal data: (CN3H6)2·Zn4H5(PO4)5, Mr=861.57, monoclinic, space group I2/a (No. 15), a=23.770 (2) ?, b=5.1036 (5) ?, c=18.100 (2) ?, beta=94.491 (2)°, V=2189.0 (5) ?3, Z=4, R(F)=0.047, Rw(F2)= 0.121 (2322 reflections, 168 parameters).