Helical channels, low framework density and structure-directing effect: a novel non-centrosymmetric zinc phosphate NIS-4 prepared by ionothermal reactionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental and simulated powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, TGA curve, and complementary drawings for crystal structure have been included. CCDC reference number 737304. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c002882g

A novel non-centrosymmetric zinc phosphate, Zn(HPO4)(H2PO4)·C6H11N2(denoted NIS-4), was ionothermally synthesized. The framework exhibits fascinating helical channels and remarkably low framework density (FD). Meanwhile, an ionic liquid cation plays a significant structure-directing role during the course of crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]