Crystal structure of non-centrosymmetric bis(4-methoxybenzylammonium) tetrachloridozincate

The structure of the title non-centrosymmetric organic–inorganic hybrid salt, (C 8 H 12 NO) 2 [ZnCl 4 ], consists of two 4-methoxybenzylammonium cations sandwiched between anionic layers, formed by isolated tetrachloridozincate tetrahedra. The double layers extend parallel to the ac plane. The crystal packing is assured by Coulombic interactions and by a complex N—H...Cl and C—H...Cl hydrogen-bonding system mostly involving the positively charged ammonium groups and the chloride ligands of the isolated tetrahedral [ZnCl 4 ] 2− units. One of the methyleneammonium groups is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.48 (2):0.52 (2) ratio. The crystal investigated was twinned by non-merohedry with a twin component ratio of 0.738 (2):0.262 (2).