Work

ZnPCl 7 : a compositionally and structurally unprecedented metal–phosphorus halide

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The synthesis and crystal structure of an unprecedented compound, zinc phosphorus heptachloride or catena -poly[phosphorus tetrachloride [[dichloridozinc]-μ-chlorido]], ZnPCl 7 or {[PCl 4 ][ZnCl 3 ]} n , are reported. The reaction of ZnCl 2 with PCl 5 in a 1:1 molar ratio at 623 K produced single crystals of ZnPCl 7 , which crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ama2 . The Zn and P atoms lie on crystallographic mirror planes, as do four of the Cl atoms. One Cl atom lies on a twofold axis and one occupies a general position. Its extended structure features isolated [PCl 4 ] + tetrahedra and one-dimensional chains of corner-sharing ZnCl 2 Cl 2/2 tetrahedra. Bond-valence sum calculations support the assignment of formal oxidation states. This discovery extends the compositional and structural landscape of mixed-metal halides.

Source: Acta Crystallographica Section E Crystallographic Communications

DOI: 10.1107/s2056989026000174

Authors: Hyeonjin Seo, Seung-Tae Hong

Institutions: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, University of New Mexico

Language: English

Topic: Crystal Structures and Properties

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $500

Funder: National Research Foundation of Korea