New barium phenylphosphonate dihydrate-BaC6H5PO3 center dot 2H(2)O-was prepared by precipitation from barium salt and phenylphosphonic acid solutions with pH adjusted to 8.5. The compound was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and infrared spectroscopy. It was found that this compound reacts with phenylphosphonic acid to form previously described barium hydrogen phenylphosphonate-Ba(C6H5PO3H)(2). This reaction also proceeds in an opposite direction, i.e., Ba(C6H5PO3H)(2) reacts with Ba2+ in diluted ammonia to produce BaC6H5PO3 center dot 2H(2)O. Infrared spectra of both barium compounds are described and compared with those of analogous strontium compounds and phenylphosphonic acid. Preliminary intercalation experiments indicated that BaC6H5PO3 center dot 2H(2)O could be a promising host material for intercalation of amines. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.