Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Lithium Tetrametaphosphimate Tetrahydrate Li4(PO2NH)4 · 4 H2O

Single crystals of Li₄(PO₂NH)₄ · 4 H₂O were obtained by dissolving LiOH and H₄(PO₂NH)₄ · 2 H₂O in water and subsequent precipitation with acetone and ethanol followed by slow evaporation of the solvents. The structure of Li₄(PO₂NH)₄ · 4 H₂O was solved by single‐crystal X‐ray methods ( (No. 2), a = 489.2(2), b = 853.2(2), c = 880.5(2) pm, α = 101.71(3), β = 102.39(3), γ = 94.88(3)°, Z = 1). The structure is composed of LiO₄ tetrahedra and (PO₂NH)₄^4? ions. The P₄N₄ rings of the anions exhibit a slightly distorted chair–1 conformation, which is supported by IR data and has been described by torsion angles, displacement asymmetry parameters and puckering parameters. Via Li⁺ ions and hydrogen bonds, the tetrametaphosphimate anions are connected forming a three‐dimensional network.