# Pseudopeptidic Coordination Polymers Based on Zirconium-Carboxylate Supramolecular Assemblies

## TL;DR

Researchers created new coordination polymers using zirconium and amino acid-based linkers, which can act as efficient catalysts for chemical reactions.

## Contribution

A novel family of pseudopeptidic coordination polymers based on Zr-oxo clusters and amino acid-derived linkers is introduced.

## Key findings

- The polymers formed regular nanoparticles with hybrid inorganic-organic composition.
- The materials showed catalytic activity in hydrolysis under mild conditions.
- Porosity and residue volume correlated with catalytic performance.

## Abstract

Mimicking enzymes with new materials
is a promising approach
to
improve efficiency and sustainability in heterogeneous catalysis.
In this contribution, a family of coordination polymers based on N, N′-bis­(amino acid)­pyromellitic
diimide linkers and Zr-oxo clusters has been assembled under solvothermal
conditions in the presence of different acids (acetic, hydrochloric,
and formic acid). The linker has been prepared from widely available
amino acids and pyromellitic anhydride under microwave conditions.
Different characterization techniques, such as NMR, Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TGA, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/EDX, confirmed the formation
of the pseudopeptidic (PSP) linkers and the subsequent formation of
Zr-carboxylate bonds in the Zr-PSP coordination polymer, forming regular
homogeneous nanoparticles with hybrid inorganic–organic composition.
The PSPs have also been incorporated into defective UiO-67 crystals
and employed as catalysts in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylacetate
under mild conditions, exhibiting a correlation between porosity,
residue volume, and activity.