Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean (C-C) = 0.003 Å; R factor = 0.043; wR factor = 0.103; data-to-parameter ratio = 10.6.The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [K(C 3 H 7 O 3 )] n or K[H 2 gl] n , common name potassium glycerolate, contains half the K + cation and half of the glycerolate anion. The other half of the anion is generated through a mirror plane passing through the K atom, and a C, an H and an O atom of the glycerolate ligand. The K + ion is coordinated by the O atoms of the OH groups, leading to a six-membered chelate ring that adopts a very distorted boat conformation. The negatively charged O atom of the glycerolate anion, [H 2 gl À ], is found in the flagpole position and forms an ionic bond with the K + ion. The O atoms of the hydroxo groups are coordinated to two K + ions, whereas the negatively charged O atom is bonded to one K + ion. The K + ion is coordinated by three other symmetryrelated monodentate H 2 gl À ligands, so that each H 2 gl À ligand is bonded to two K + ions, and the potassium has a sevencoordinate environment. The H 2 gl À ligands are connected via a strong O-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bond and, together with the KÁ Á ÁO interconnections, form polymeric sheets which propagate in the directions of the a and b axes.
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