Zn(II) coordination polymer of an in situ generated 4-pyridyl (Py-4) attached bis(amido)phosphate ligand, [PO2((NHPy)-Py-4)(2)](-) showing preferential water uptake over aliphatic alcohols

Two polymorphic 2D-coordination polymers of composition [ZnL(HCO2)](infinity) were synthesized from an in situ generated ligand [PO2((NHPy)-Py-4)(2)](-) (L-). The ligand L- was generated by a facile metal-assisted P-N bond hydrolysis reaction from the corresponding phosphonium salt 1, [P((NHPy)-Py-4)(4)]Cl, or from the neutral phosphoric triamide 2, [PO((NHPy)-Py-4)(3)]. The de-solvated sample of the polymer [ZnL(HCO2)](infinity) features polar micropores and shows a type I isotherm for CO2 sorption whereas a type II behaviour was observed for N-2. The vapour sorption isotherm of the de-solvated sample of [ZnL(HCO2)](infinity) shows preferential adsorption of water vapour over aliphatic alcohols.