Poly[tetra‐μ2‐l‐lactato‐indium(III)sodium(I)]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, InNa(C₃H₅O₃)₄]_n, consists of one In^III ion, one Na^I ion and four crystallographically independent l ‐lactate monoanions. The coordination of the In^III ion is composed of five carboxylate O and two hydroxy O atoms in a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. The Na^I ion is six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms and two hydroxy O atoms from four l ‐lactate ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. Each In^III ion is coordinated by four surrounding l ‐lactate ligands to form an In(l ‐lactate)₄]⁻ unit, which is further linked by Na^I ions through Na—O bonds to give a two‐dimensional layered structure. Hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups and carboxylate O atoms are observed between neighbouring layers.