Abstract

The coordination chemistry of enantiomerically pure phosphonic acids H₂O₃PCH₂P(O)(C₆H₅)(R) [R = CH₃ and C₂H₅] with zinc is described. The structures of two new optically active layered zinc phosphonates (R)-α-Zn(O₃PCH₂P(O)(C₆H₅)(CH₃)) and (R)-α-Zn(O₃PCH₂P(O)(C₆H₅)(C₂H₅))·H₂O were determined, in which the phosphine oxide is coordinated to zinc. This coordination can be avoided when the synthesis is performed in a slightly acidic medium, as evidenced by the structure of (R)-β-Zn(O₃PCH₂P(O)(C₆H₅)(CH₃))·H₂O.