A novel double-anion complex, H [(CH ) N] [PNb O (V O) ⋅(V O ) ]⋅22 H O (1), based on bicapped polyoxoniobate and tetranuclear polyoxovanadate was synthesized, characterized by routine techniques and used in the catalytic decontamination of chemical warfare agents. Under mild conditions, 1 catalyzes both hydrolysis of the nerve agent simulant, diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP) and selective oxidation of the sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES). In the oxidative decontamination system 100 % CEES was transformed selectively to nontoxic 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfoxide and vinyl ethyl sulfoxide using nearly stoichiometric 3 % aqueous H O with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 16 000 h . Importantly, the catalytic activity is maintained even after ten recycles and CEES is completely decontaminated in 3 mins without formation of the highly toxic sulfone by-product. A three-step oxidative mechanism is proposed.

A POM can perform four functions simultaneously, a theme of potential value in the construction of energy converting multicomponent assemblies.

Copper-based complexes have been largely neglected as potential water reduction catalysts. This article reports the synthesis and characterization of a tetra-copper-containing polyoxotungstate, Na3K7[Cu4(H2O)2(B-α-PW9O34)2]·30H2O (Na3K7-Cu4P2). Cu4P2 is a water-compatible catalyst for efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution when coupled to (4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl)-bis(2-phenylpyridine(1H))-iridium(III) hexafluorophosphate ([Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6]) as a light absorber and triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial electron donor. Under minimally optimized conditions, a turnover number (TON) of ∼1270 per Cu4P2 catalyst is obtained after 5 h of irradiation (light-emitting diode; λ = 455 nm; 20 mW); a photochemical quantum efficiency of as high as 15.9% is achieved. Both oxidative and reductive quenching pathways are observed by measuring the luminescence intensity of excited state [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)](+*) in the presence of Cu4P2 or TEOA, respectively. Many stability studies (e.g., UV-vis absorption, FT-IR, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) show that catalyst Cu4P2 undergoes slow decomposition under turnover conditions; however, both the starting Cu4P2 as well as its molecular decomposition products are the dominant catalytically active species for H2 evolution not Cu or CuOx particles. Considering the high abundance and low cost of copper, the present work provides considerations for the design and synthesis of efficient, molecular, water-compatible Cu-based water reduction catalysts.

Four alkoxohexavanadate-based Pd-POVs [Pd(dpa)(acac)]2[V6O13(OMe)6] (1), [Pd(dpa)(acac)]2[V6O11(OMe)8] (2), [Pd(dpa)(acac)]2[V6O11(OMe)8]·H2O (3), and [Pd(DMAP)2(acac)]2[V6O11(OMe)8]·H2O (4) (POV = polyoxovanadate; dpa = 2,2'-dipyridine amine; DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine; acac = acetylacetone anion) have been synthesized and fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, element analyses, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In 1-4, Pd complexes and hexavanadate anions are assembled through electrostatic interactions. Interestingly, the [V6O11(OMe)8](2-) cores in 2 and 3 are a pair of isomers that can be isolated by controlling crystallization temperature. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, the {V6} core in 3 represents a new octamethoxyhexavanadates cluster. It is notable that compounds 1-4 exhibit excellent heterogeneous catalytic performance in the oxidation of benzyl-alkanes with t-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. Among them, the catalytic activity of 1 (conv. and selec. up to 99%, respectively) outperforms others and can be reused without losing its activity.

Using two ligands, 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-2-aminopyrimidine (L1) with two N,N'-chelating sites and 4-(2-pyridyl)-6-(4-pyridyl)-2-aminopyrimidine (L2) (as the isomer of L1) containing one chelating site and one bridging unit, a series of novel Ag(I) complexes varying from zero- to two-dimensions have been prepared and their crystal structures determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two ligands are employed for the first time in coordination chemistry. The structures of compounds 1-3 are directed by the counteranions adopted in the reaction system: The reaction of L1 with AgNO3 yielded a dimer [Ag2L12](NO3)2 (1). The reaction of L1 with AgCF3SO3 led to a one-dimension "V-shaped" chain {[AgL1](CF3SO3)}n (2). When AgSCN was used, a one-dimension ladder {[Ag2L1(SCN)2].H2O}n (3) was obtained. While ligand L2 reacted with AgNO3, a two-dimension {[Ag2(L2)2](NO3)2.H2O}n (4) was prepared with the help of an argentophilic interaction. Compounds 1-4 display room-temperature photoluminescence.