Novel transition metal oxalatophosphates with a two-dimensional honeycomb structure: (H3TREN)[M2(HPO4)(C2O4)2.5] x 3H2O (M = Mn(II) and Fe(II), TREN = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine).

Two new layered transition metal oxalatophosphates, (H(3)TREN)[M(2)(HPO(4))(C(2)O(4))(2.5)].3H(2)O (M = Mn(II) and Fe(II)), have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods in the presence of a structure-directing organic amine, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. They are the first metal oxalatophosphates which adopt a two-dimensional honeycomb structure with the organic cations and water molecules intercalated in between. Within a layer, there are 12-membered pores made from 6 Mn, 1 phosphate, and 5 oxalate units. Measurements of field dependence of magnetization and variable-temperature susceptibilities under different fields were performed on a polycrystalline sample of the manganese compound. The results indicate a phase transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic coupled state at about 12 K. Crystal data for the manganese compound follow: triclinic, space group Ponemacr; (No. 2), a = 8.8385(6) A, b = 9.0586(6) A, c = 16.020(1) A, alpha = 77.616(1) degrees, beta = 83.359(1) degrees, gamma = 68.251(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Crystal data for the iron compound are the same as those for the manganese compound except a = 8.7776(9) A, b = 8.9257(9) A, c = 15.884(2) A, alpha = 78.630(2) degrees, beta = 84.018(2) degrees, and gamma = 67.372(2) degrees.