On the mechanism of ion exchange in zirconium phosphates—XXIII exchange of first row divalent transition elements on γ-zirconium phosphate

The exchange of transition metal (M2+) ions from manganese to zinc with γ-zirconium phosphate was examined. By using acetate salts the hydrogen ion concentration is kept low enough to achieve high loadings. The fully loaded solids have the composition ZrM(PO4)2·4H2O. Near quantitative uptakes are achieved at 100°C. The interlayer spacings change very little with loading indicating that γ-zirconium phosphate is able to accomodate cations and water molecules without appreciable increase in volume. The copper exchanged phase readily forms an acetylacetonate when shaken with 2,4-pentanedione.