The β-modification of trizinc borate phosphate, Zn3(BO3)(PO4)

Crystals of β-Zn(3)(BO(3))(PO(4)) have been grown by the Kyropoulos method. The asymmetric unit contains three Zn sites, three B-atom sites (all with symmetry 3), two P sites (both with m symmetry) and nine O-atom sites (four with m symmetry). The fundamental building units of the title structure are isolated BO(3) triangles and PO(4) tetra-hedra, which are bridged by ZnO(4) tetra-hedra or ZnO(5) trigonal bipyramids through common O atoms, leading to a three-dimensional framework structure. Some significant structural differences between the β-polymorph and the α-polymorph are discussed.