Layered and pillared zirconium phosphate-phosphonates and their inclusion chemistry

After a brief account on previous results obtained in this Laboratory in the field of layered and pillared α- and γ-zirconium phosphonates, the perspectives for a development of a “molecular recognition” in porous and in layered solids are examined. In particular, the preparation and the preliminary characterisation of some new zirconium phosphonates more specifically designed for a “molecular recognition”, such as: a) layered and pillared derivatives of γ-zirconium phosphate containing crown ethers in the interlayer region, b) α-layered zirconium phosphate containing chiral centres anchored to its surface and c) pillared derivatives of γ-zirconium phosphate containing non rigid pillars, are reported and discussed.