An organometallic route to zinc phosphonates and their intercalates

An organometallic non-aqueous route to zinc phosphonates and to their inter calates has been studied. Various phosphonic acids react with dimethylzinc in THF media to afford the corresponding layered zinc phosphonates Zn(O3PR1 ) (R-1=Me, Ph, 2- and 3-thienyl, thiophen-3-ylmethyl) with evolution of met hane. The presence of a primary n-alkylamine in the reaction mixture allows the one-pot formation of 2D-layered intercalated phases of general formula Zn(O3PR1). (RNH2)-N-2 [R-2=Bu-n, Pen(n) (=n-pentyl)] whereas a more bulky amine such as cyclohexylamine (Hex(c)NH(2)) lead to the formation of 1D pol ymeric chains of formula Zn(O3PPh). 2Hex(c)NH(2).