A Mixed Zinc-Cobalt Diphosphate, ZnCoP₂O₇

The structure of the mixed zinc cobalt diphosphate ZnCoP₂O₇ presents a low-dimensional system never previously observed in diphosphates of 3d transition elements. The paramagnetic Co²⁺ ions are grouped into dimers linked by P₂O₇^4- groups, forming tunnels in which the diamagnetic Zn²⁺ ions are located. The metal environments can be described as a distorted octahedron and a distorted square-based pyramid, for Co and Zn respectively, the two coordination polyhedra sharing common edges through the O atoms O1-O2 and O6-O7.