The efficient synthesis of two diimine ligands incorporating one benzyl phosphonate group and a phenanthroline core is described. These functionalized ligands constitute a new type of linkers in hybrid organic–inorganic materials based on inorganic oxides and metallic complexes.
[Bigge, Christopher F.; Johnson, Graham; Ortwine, Daniel F.; Drummond, James T.; Retz, Daniel M.; et al. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1992 , vol. 35, # 8 p. 1371 - 1384]