A zirconium methacrylate oxocluster as precursor for the low-temperature synthesis of porous zirconium(IV) dicarboxylates

The exchange of the monocarboxylate ligand of the zirconium methacrylate oxocluster Zr6O4(OH)(4)(OMc)(12) (OMc = CH2 = CH(CH3)COO) with dicarboxylic acids (trans, trans muconic acid and terephthalic acid) leads to porous zirconium dicarboxylates exhibiting the UiO-66 architecture; the mild reaction conditions allow the control of their particle size.