1-Ammonio-1-phosphonopentane-1-phosphonic acid

Abstract

The title compound, C5H15NO6P2, was obtained by the reaction of pentanenitrile with PCl3 followed by the dropwise addition of water. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule, which exists as a zwitterion with a positive charge on the –NH3 group and a negative charge on one of the phosphonic O atoms. The crystal structure displays N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonding, which creates a three-dimensional network.