Synthesis and crystal chemistry of the STA-12 family of metal N,N′-piperazinebis(methylenephosphonate)s and applications of STA-12(Ni) in the separation of gases

The crystal chemistry of divalent metal N,N′-piperazinebis(methylenephosphonates) of the STA-12 family, (M2(H2O)2(O3PCH2NC4H8NCH2PO3)·xH2O, M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) is compared. The different metal analogues are isostructural in the hydrated forms, possessing R3¯ symmetry, but their reversible dehydration behaviour and resultant porosity are strongly dependent on the metal cation. Whereas the Co and Ni forms change symmetry to triclinic upon dehydration, giving permanent porosity to N2 of 0.14 cm3 g−1 and 0.27 cm3 g−1, respectively, the Mn and Fe forms remain rhombohedral but exhibit a strong decrease in unit cell volume (e.g. 23% for STA-12(Mn)). Structure determination of dehydrated STA-12(Mn) indicates a topotactic transformation with a change in coordination of the phosphonate O atoms. Negligible permanent porosity is observed in either dehydrated STA-12(Mn) or (Fe), suggesting the presence of non-crystallographic pore blocking. Dehydration of STA-12(Mg) results in loss of some long range order, preventing structural determination of the fully dehydrated form, but does give appreciable permanent porosity for N2 of 0.20 cm3 g−1. Infrared spectroscopy (and for STA-12(Mg) solid-state NMR spectroscopy) have been used to follow the changes upon dehydration. Applications of the most porous and stable STA-12 structure, the Ni form, have also been investigated. CO2 adsorption selectivity over CH4 and CO has been measured via analysis of breakthrough curves, and a Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) gas chromatographic column has been prepared and used to separate a mixture of low molecular weight alkanes.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Metal phosphonates STA-12(M), M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni synthesised hydrothermally. ► The different metal forms of STA-12 show strongly divergent dehydration behaviour. ► Dehydrated STA-12 (Mg, Co, and Ni) are permanently porous. ► STA-12 shows good selectivity for CO2 adsorption over CH4 and CO. ► A PLOT capillary GC column with STA-12(Ni) separates low boiling point alkanes.