Molecular Design of Two-Dimensional Zirconium Phosphonate Catalysts

Preparation and characterization of two-dimensional zirconium phosphonate derivatives in either crystalline or amorphous forms have been investigated. Two composite zirconium phosphonates in single crystal phase have also been investigated and characterized by XRD, 13C-, and 31P-MASNMR. The catalytic performance over zirconium phosphonates are evaluated by hydrolysis of ethylacetate in aqueous solution. When the composite zirconium phosphonate is composed with an acidic function and with a hydrophobic function in single crystal phase, the catalytic activity in aqueous medium showed higher activity than that of single acidic zirconium phosphonate. The composite materials become accessible to any reactant molecule and improve hydrophobicity.