Zn(ii) coordination polymer of an in situ generated 4-pyridyl (4Py) attached bis(amido)phosphate ligand, [PO2(NH4Py)2]− showing preferential water uptake over aliphatic alcohols

Abstract

Two polymorphic 2D-coordination polymers of composition [ZnL(HCO₂)]_∞ were synthesized from an in situ generated ligand [PO₂(NH⁴Py)₂]⁻ (L⁻). The ligand L⁻ was generated by a facile metal-assisted P–N bond hydrolysis reaction from the corresponding phosphonium salt 1, [P(NH⁴Py)₄]Cl, or from the neutral phosphoric triamide 2, [PO(NH⁴Py)₃]. The de-solvated sample of the polymer [ZnL(HCO₂)]_∞ features polar micropores and shows a type I isotherm for CO₂ sorption whereas a type II behaviour was observed for N₂. The vapour sorption isotherm of the de-solvated sample of [ZnL(HCO₂)]_∞ shows preferential adsorption of water vapour over aliphatic alcohols.