Synthesis, crystal structure, spectrum properties, and electronic structure of a new three-borate Ba4Na2Zn4(B3O6)2(B12O24) with two isolated types of blocks: 3[3Δ] and 3[2Δ + 1T]

Ba4Na2Zn4(B3O6)2(B12O24) contains complicated porous anionic layers composed of ZnO4 tetrahedra, [B3O6]3− rings with notation of 3[3Δ], and [B12O24]12− groups built up from four BO4 tetrahedra and eight BO3 triangles with notation of 2 × {2 × (3[2Δ + 1T])}. The anionic layers stack along c-axis, with the intralayer open channels and interlayer void spaces occupied by Na+ or Ba2+ cations to balance charge.