A novel layered zinc phosphate, [N(2)C(6)H(12)](2)[Zn(7)H(3)(HPO(4-x))(5)(PO(4))(3)]H(2)O, with unique 10-membered-ring ellipsoidal channels running perpendicularly to ladder-shaped tetrahedral layers, has been synthesized ionothermally via in situ generation of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.