Polyether esters of zirconium phosphate

The reaction of ethylene oxide with α-zirconium phosphate, α-Zr(HPO4)2.2H2O was investigated. γ-Zirconium phosphate, Zr(HPO4)2.2H2O, with a 12.2A interlayer spacing is known to react with ethylene oxide solutions to esterify the monohydrogen phosphate groups. It has been shown that α-zirconium phosphate with a smaller interlayer distance, 7.6 A, also behaves similarly. With highly crystalline samples of α-zirconium phosphate, reaction takes place only at the surface. However, if the interlayer distance is first increased (by means of amine, alcohol, or glycol intercalates, or by use of the more hydrated theta-phase, with a 10.4 A of interlayer spacing) so that ethylene oxide can diffuse into the interior, complete reaction occurs. Less crystalline samples were found to react directly with ethylene oxide, either gaseous or as a solution. Attempts to form long chains by direct reaction with ethylene oxide were unsuccessful