Recent advances in metal phosphonate chemistry II

Phosphonic acids are more acidic than carboxylic acids. They are non-planar and possess twice the number of protons. These attributes lead to strong hydrogen bond formation that can be utilized in design of crystal-engineered structures and self-assembled supramolecular arrays. Their superior cation complexing ability leads to formation of a vast number of metal complexes and their use in lanthanide and actinide separations. Recent work, largely drawn from the work of the author’s research group, is summarized in this update of the author’s 1996 review [Curr Opin Solid State Mater Sci 1 (1996) 268].