Synthesis, structure and properties of (CN{sub 3}H{sub 6}){sub 4}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 5}, the first organically-templated selenite

An astonishing variety of inorganic networks templated by organic species have been reported over the last 10 years. A great deal of attention has been paid to the structure-directing role of the organic species, and the structural effect of variously coordinated cations, for example distorted octahedral vanadium and pyramidal tin. Less exploratory work has been carried out on the anionic part of the inorganic network, and most groups reported so far (phosphate, germanate, etc.) invariably adopt tetrahedral coordination. The possibilities of incorporating the pyramidal [HP0{sub 3}]{sup 2{minus}} hydrogen phosphite group into extended structures templated by inorganic, alkaline earth cations was explored a few years ago. In this paper the authors report the synthesis, crystal structure, and some properties of (CN{sub 3}H{sub 6}){sub 4}{center_dot}Zn{sub 3}(SeO{sub 3}){sub 5}, the first organically-templated phase to contain the pyramidal selenite [SeO{sub 3}]{sup 2{minus}} anion