Crystalline Zr(R-PO3)2 and Zr(R-OPO3)2 compounds (R = organic radical)

Abstract By slowly decomposing zirconium fluoro-complexes in the presence of hydroxymethane phosphonic acid, benzene phosphonic acid or triethylphosphate, micro-crystalline compounds with formulae Zr(HOCH 2 PO 3 ) 2 ·H 2 O, Zr(C 6 H 5 PO 3 ) 2 and Zr(C 2 H 5 OPO 3 ) 2 respectively are formed. Crystals of suitable size for X-ray crystal structure determination were not obtained but several experimental observations such as the shape of the crystals, the linear relation between the first d -value of the X-ray patterns and the formula-weight/density ratio, the discontinous change of the first d -value during the dehydration of Zr(HOCH 2 PO 3 ) 2 ·H 2 O as well as intercalation of organic molecules provides strong evidence that these materials possess a layered structure of the zirconium phosphate type. The possibility to obtain other Zr(R-PO 3 ) 2 or Zr(R-OPO 3 ) 2 compounds and inorganic-organic ion-exchangers as well as their possible applications are finally discussed.