Postsynthetic modification of a zirconium metal-organic framework at the inorganic secondary building unit with diphenylphosphinic acid for increased photosensitizing properties and stability.

A zirconium metal-organic framework (MOF) PCN-222 was postsynthetically modified with diphenylphosphinic acid, resulting in an increased stability when activated from water and 4 times higher photosensitizing properties for singlet oxygen production. The phosphinic acid did not compromise the crystallinity of the MOF but made strong bonds with the zirconia secondary building units.