Phosphinic acids as building units in materials chemistry

Abstract

• The properties of phosphinic acids fall between phosphonic and carboxylic acids. • Phosphinate-based ligands lead to a variety of coordination polymer architectures. • Phosphinates are used to improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. • Phosphinate capping agents lead to unique nanoparticle properties. Diaryl and dialkyl phosphinic acids are diverse groups of ligands capable of bonding to a wide variety of metal ions. This review provides a brief overview of their synthesis methods, and summarizes various functions and binding motifs phosphinic acids can have in the area of materials chemistry. The combination of these characteristics allows for many applications in coordination polymers, modification of surfaces, synthesis of nanoparticles, and sol–gel synthesis. The possibility of tuning electronic and steric properties by two aryl/alkyl substituents directly attached to phosphorus atom translates into unique properties of materials that cannot be replicated by the utilization of analogous phosphonates or carboxylates. Recent developments in the field and perspective directions of future research are also highlighted.