Abstract
Layered metal phosphonates of general formula Zr(03PR)2, where R = an alkyl or aryl organic radical, have been known since 1978. In the early 1980's, these material systems were extended to include pillared phosphonate compounds, of general formula Zr(03PRP03). Mixed component systems were also investigated, of general formula Zr(03PRP03)x(03POH)2-2x, in which the orthophosphate group served as a spacer between pillaring groups to alleviate crowding and introduce tailored porosity. These materials showed promise for many uses, of greatest interest were of catalysis and ion exchange. Zirconium p-Phenylbis(phosphonate) Phosphate was synthesized by several routes to investigate the inherent structural characteristics as they applied to the crystallinity and ion exchange properties. This class of material was found to possess a crystal structure based on that of a-ZrP, as well as a different conformation in which the phosphonate and phosphate groups bond to zirconium in a different manner. These compounds were also found to be able to incorporate only a small amount of the spacing groups before the introduced defects become too great in which the layer growth terminates. The aromatic component of the pillar was further functionalized with a sulfonic acid group to enhance the ion exchange capacity for several cations. The synthetic routes were further adapted to synthesize Zirconium p,p'-Biphenylbis(phosphonate) Phosphate and Zirconium p,p"-Terphenylbis (phosphonate) Phosphate, in which compounds with a fair amount of crystallinity resulted.
Bellinghausen, Paul Christian (1995). The synthesis and characterization of Zirconium p-Phenylbis(phosphonate) Phosphate and other Zirconium Arylbis(phosphonates) for the application of ion exchange. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1995 -THESIS -B525.