Phosphorous acid (H3PO3) is a water-soluble acid and reducing agent. In solution, it easily deprotonates to become phosphite (HPO32-), which will bind to metals. Phosphites are used as plant fertilizers and can double as a fungicide and pesticide against various pathogens. Its presence within soil matter allows for potential complexation to various metal ions, which greatly influences their stability and mobility within the environment. To better understand these potential interactions, we are investigating reactions between lanthanides and phosphorous acid. In the past, lanthanide phosphite compounds have been synthesized both hydrothermally and using a phosphorous acid flux. We have expanded this chemistry by exploring solvothermal syntheses, which has yielded new lanthanide phosphite structure-types that employ 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as an organic templating agent. Here the phenanthroline is protonated in-situ by phosphorous acid forming the phenanthrolinium cation (phen+) featured in these compounds. These new structure-types are unique from the usual dense, three-dimensional lanthanide phosphites, as the templating organic cation limits the overall dimensionality of the network. Herein, we present the syntheses and crystal structures of this novel system.

Synthesis and crystal structures of novel lanthanide phosphites utilizing organic templating cations

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.