The design and synthesis
of effective and recyclable oxidative desulfurization catalysts is
of great importance in view of environmental protection and human
health. Herein, a family of polyoxomolybdate-based inorganic–organic
hybrid materials, namely, [Mn(TMR4A)(H2O)4][Mo6O19]·0.5CH3CH2OH·H2O (1), [Ni(TMR4A)(H2O)4][Mo6O19]·0.5CH3CH2OH·H2O (2), [Zn(TMR4A)(H2O)4][Mo6O19]·0.5CH3CH2OH·H2O (3), and [Co2(TMR4A)2(H2O)4(β-Mo8O26)]·CH3CN·12H2O (4), were assembled by the functionalized resorcin[4]arene
ligand (TMR4A) with polyoxomolybdate and metal ions under solvothermal
conditions. In isostructural 1–3,
the [M(TMR4A)(H2O)4]2+ species (M
= MnII, NiII, ZnII) and [Mo6O19]2– anions are held together via
C–H···O hydrogen bonds to give a 3D supramolecular
architecture. In 4, two [Co(TMR4A)(H2O)2]2+ cations were linked by one [β-Mo8O26]4– anion to produce an attractive
molecular dimer. Remarkably, 1–4,
as recyclable heterogeneous catalysts, exhibit efficient catalytic
oxidation desulfurization activities toward thioethers. Particularly, 1, as a representative example, features selective catalytic
oxidation for sulfur mustard simulant. Moreover, their electrochemical
properties were also studied.