(NH4)Zn2(PO4)(HPO4): Hydrothermal Synthesis and Reaction with n-Alkylamine Vapours

(NH4)Zn2(PO4)(HPO4) was synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions in the presence of urea. The reaction with n-alkylamines has been investigated by exposing the solid to amines vapor. The new materials were characterized by chemical and thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and IR spectroscopy. In addition, the simultaneous reaction of this compound with two or more n-alkylamine different molecules was investigated. The reaction of large n-alkylamine molecules was observed to be faster if there is a shorter alkyl chain amine acting as a catalyst, yielding on completion single amine materials. In the case of a vapor mixture of several amines, the compound obtained depends on the reaction time.