Organic–inorganic hybrid materials based on organophosphorus coupling molecules: from metal phosphonates to surface modification of oxides

Organophosphorus acids (phosphoric, phosphonic, and phosphinic) and their derivatives (salts, esters) are highly promising coupling molecules that allow the anchoring of organic groups to inorganic solids. In this article we briefly review our contribution in the preparation of materials based on organophosphorus coupling molecules: new sol–gel routes to microporous zirconium phosphonates and metal oxide/phosphonate or phosphinate hybrids, and surface modification of metal oxide nanoparticles. The potentialities of the sol–gel and surface modification approaches are illustrated by the immobilization of organometallic metal complexes using phosphine-phosphonate molecules.