Incorporation of an intact dimeric Zr oxo cluster from a molecular precursor in a new zirconium metal-organic framework.

Two zirconium-organic frameworks were synthesized by exchanging the acetate ligands in [ZrO(OH)(CHCOO)] with polydentate linkers. Partial substitution of acetate groups by a phosphine based linker yielded a new porous framework with this unique dimeric Zr cluster unit as molecular building block. More exhaustive substitution of acetate resulted in cleavage of the Zr unit and formation of UiO-67.