A novel metallo-organically templated pentaborate: acetato[N,N'-bis(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine]zinc(II) 4,4',6,6'-tetrahydroxy-2,2'-spirobi[cyclotriboroxane](1-).

The title compound, [Zn(C2H3O2)(C6H18N4)][B5O6(OH)4], contains mixed-ligand [Zn(CH3COO)(teta)]+ complex cations (teta is triethylenetetramine) and pentaborate [B5O6(OH)4]- anions. The [B5O6(OH)4]- anions are connected to one another through hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular network, in which the [Zn(CH3COO)(teta)]+ cations are located.