Delamination, synthesis, crystal structure and thermal properties of the layered metal-organic compound Zn(C12H14O4)

Zn(C12H14O4) was prepared by hydrothermal methods. The crystal structure was determined on the basis of high resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data. The crystal structure of Zn( C12H14O4) is monoclinic, space group Cc with a = 7.813 angstrom, b = 20.392 angstrom, c = 6.849 angstrom, beta = 92.38 degrees, V = 1090.295 angstrom(3) and Z = 4. The compound is a metal organic layered structure (MOLS)where each of the layers is constructed on a basis of infinite chains of tetrahedrally coordinated Zn atoms. The Zn chain atoms are solely bound together by carboxylate groups. This represents an unusual structural feature. The compound has only weak van der Waals interactions between the layers. We have proved that delamination is feasible for this metal-organic compound in both ethanol and acetone. It represents an interesting material for potential restacking of delaminated materials into novel hybrid type nanocomposites.