H2bipy]2[(UO2)6Zn2(PO3OH)4(PO4)4].H2O: an open-framework uranyl zinc phosphate templated by diprotonated 4,4'-bipyridyl

Under mild hydrothermal conditions, a new organically templated uranyl zinc phosphate, H 2bipy] 2(UO 2) 6Zn 2(PO 3OH) 4(PO 4) 4].H 2O ( UZnP-2), has been synthesized. Structural analysis reveals that UZnP-2 is constructed from UO 7 pentagonal bipyramids that are linked into edge-sharing dimers that are in turn joined together by ZnO 4 and PO 4 tetrahedra to form a three-dimensional network. Intersecting channels occur along the a, b, and c axes. These channels house the diprotonated 4,4'-bipyridyl cations and water molecules. Ion-exchange experiments demonstrate that replacement of the 4,4'-bipyridyl cations by alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations results in a rearrangement of the framework. Further characterization of UZnP-2 is provided by Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. The latter method reveals strong emission from the uranyl moieties with characteristic fine structure.