The Synthesis and Characterization of a Two-Dimensional Cobalt−Zinc Phosphate: NH4[Zn2-xCox(PO4)(HPO4)] (x ≈ 0.12)

A new layered ammonium cobalt−zinc phosphate has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions at 160 °C and the structure solved using room-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. (NH 4 [Zn 2 - x Co x (PO 4 )(HPO 4 )] ( x ≈ 0.12), M r = 339.75, triclinic, space group P -1, a = 5.237(1) Å, b = 8.949(1) Å 3, c = 9.728(1) Å, α = 74.99(1)°, β = 77.64(1)°, γ = 72.92(1)°, V = 416.19(1) Å 3, Z = 2, 1511 observed data measured with I > 3σ( I ), R = 4.31% and R w = 4.67%). The structure consists of MO 4 (M = Zn, Co), PO 4, and PO 3 (OH) tetrahedra linked to form buckled layers containing three- and four-membered rings between which ammonium cations reside. A network of hydrogen bonds involving both interlayer and layer-to-ammonium interactions holds the phosphate layers together.