Synthesis and characterization of three-layered zinc phosphites containing tert-octylamine molecules with template and ligand roles

Three-layered zinc phosphites containing single monoamine molecules with different roles have been synthesized using hydro(solvo)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Compound 1, (C₈H₁₇NH ₃)₄Zn₃(HPO₃)₅ · 3H₂O, consists of 20-ring layer structures sandwiched by water molecules and protonated tert-octylamine molecules. The structure of Zn(C ₈H₁₇NH₂)(HPO₃) (compound 2) is composed of 4.8² network structures, wherein the tert-octylamines are coordinated to the Zn atom as pendant groups. Compound 3, (C₈H ₁₇NH₃)₂Zn₄(C₈H ₁₇NH₂)(HPO₃)₅, was prepared in which the amine plays a dual role as both a ligand and a countercation. In addition, compound 1 is the first layered metal phosphite with large 20-ring windows. This group of substances represents the first example of the preparation of compounds in which the reactivity of incorporated single amine molecules is varied by adjusting the synthesis conditions.