Structural Landscape and Proton Conduction of Lanthanide 5-(Dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalates

Metal phosphonate-carboxylate compounds represent a promising class of materials for proton conduction applications. This study investigates the structural, thermal, and proton conduction properties of three groups of lanthanide-based compounds derived from 5-(dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalic acid (PiPhtA). The crystal structures, solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data, reveal that groups Ln-I, Ln[O3P-C6H3(COO)(COOH)(H2O)2] (Ln = La, Pr), and Ln-II, Ln2{[O3P-C6H3(COO)(COOH)]2(H2O)4}·2H2O (Ln = La, Pr, Eu), exhibit three-dimensional frameworks, while group Ln-III, Ln[O3P-C6H3(COO)(COOH)(H2O)] (Ln = Yb), adopts a layered structure with unbonded carboxylic groups oriented toward the interlayer region. All compounds feature carboxylic groups and coordinating water molecules. Impedance measurements demonstrate that these materials exhibit water-mediated proton conductivity, initially following a vehicle-type proton-transfer mechanism. Upon exposure to ammonia vapors from a 14 or 28% aqueous solution, compounds from groups II and III adsorb ammonia and water, leading to an enhancement in proton conductivity consistent with a Grotthuss-type proton-transfer mechanism. Notably, group II of the studied compounds undergoes the formation of a new expanded phase through the internal reaction of carboxylic groups with ammonia, coexisting with the as-synthesized phase. This postsynthetic modification results in a significant increase in proton conductivity, from approximately ∼5 × 10-6 to ∼10-4 S·cm-1 at 80 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH), attributed to a mixed intrinsic/extrinsic contribution. Remarkably, the NH3(28%)-exposed Yb-III compound achieves an enhancement in proton conductivity, reaching ∼ 5 × 10-3 S·cm-1 at 80 °C and 95% RH, primarily through an extrinsic contribution.

Hydrophobic species-enabled acid–base multi-catalysis for stereoselective access to renewable trans-anethole

A green and sustainable route was developed to stereoselectively produce biomass-based trans-AN (90% selectivity) over an acid–base bifunctional catalyst through cascade transfer hydrogenation and dehydration.

Two-dimensional layered lanthanide diphosphonates: synthesis, structures and sensing properties toward Fe3+ and Cr2O72−

Four new lanthanide phosphonates with two-dimensional layered crystal structures have been synthesized and investigated for the optical sensing of Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻ ions.

Lanthanide oxalatophosphonates with two types of layered structures: syntheses, structures, luminescence and magnetic properties

Five novel lanthanide(iii) oxalatophosphonates with two types of 2D layered structures have been hydrothermally obtained and structurally characterized. The luminescence and magnetic properties of the title compounds have been studied.

Cooperative effects of metal cations and coordination modes on luminescent s-block metal–organic complexes constructed from V-shaped 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol

Thirteen s-block metal–organic complexes with different supramolecular networks arising from the coordination modes of the ligands and properties of the metal cations have been synthesized and exhibit violet and blue luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.

Synthesis of several novel coordination complexes: ion exchange, magnetic and photocatalytic studies

Eight different novel polymers by the reactions of H₂L and metal ions (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺) in the presence or absence of auxiliary ligands were constructed. The Zn²⁺ in complexes 1–3 could be partially exchanged with Cu²⁺ ions.

Speciation of metal phosphonates with the assistance of weak interactions

By employing an aromatic methyl substituted V-shaped diphosphonic acid as a ligand, a series of metal diphosphonates, namely [Cu3(HL)2(H2O)2][(H2O)2] (1), [Cu(H2L)(pyz)(H2O)2][(H2O)2] (2), [Cu(H2L)(2,2'-bipy)] (3), [Cu(H2L)(4,4'-bipy)(H2O)2] (4), [Zn(H2L)(2,2'-bipy)] (5) and [Cd(H2L)(2,2'-bipy)(H2O)][(H2O)6] (6), have been synthesized. The structural studies reveal that these compounds exhibit diverse crystal structures. The introduction of the methyl group and pyridine derived auxiliary ligands results in the formation of plenty of C-HO, C-Hπ and ππ interactions, which contribute to the crystallization of metal diphosphonates. It was found that the Zn and Cd containing compounds showed intense intraligand emissions.

Four new silver phosphonates constructed from semi-rigid phosphonate ligands: synthesis, structure and properties

Four new silver phosphonates with interesting structures and luminescent properties have been hydrothermally synthesized and systematically characterized.