Heteropolyacid-Based Materials as Heterogeneous Photocatalysts

Nickel-Doped Decatungstate as a Robust Photocatalyst for Violet Light-Triggered Redox Coupling Conversion of Alcohol and Water to Aldehyde/Ketone and Hydrogen

The effective coupling of photoinduced alcohol oxidation and water reduction may economically produce hydrogen (H2) from water, which is of great significance in solving the current energy crisis. This study discloses that decatungstate (DT) and especially Ni2+ions-doped DTs are active for the photoreaction of benzyl alcohol with H2O, and under 48 h of violet light illumination, the best 1%Ni-DT yields ca. 86.1% benzoic acid and a 4.65 h-1 H2 generation efficiency (turnover frequency, TOF). Also, 1%Ni-DT is efficient for the photoredox coupling reaction of aliphatic and especially aromatic primary/secondary alcohols with water. A series of characterizations support that the doubled-reduced H2DT produced from the photoreaction plays a key role in water reduction to H2, which is accelerated by the doped Ni2+. In particular, it and the derived Ni3+ may construct a Z-type catalyst for water overall splitting, thereby hoisting the acid yield and H2 amount in the later stage of the photoreaction.

Unravelling the Bi-Functional Electrocatalytic Properties of {Mo72Fe30} Polyoxometalate Nanostructures for Overall Water Splitting Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscope and Electrochemical Gating Methods

This study reports the use of Keplerate-type {Mo72Fe30} polyoxometalate (POMs) nanostructures as a bi-functional-electrocatalyst for HER and OER in an alkaline medium with a lower overpotential (135 mV for HER and 264 mV for OER), and excellent electrochemical stability. The bi-functional catalytic properties of {Mo72Fe30} POM are studied using a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) via current mapping using substrate generation and tip collection mode. Furthermore, the bipolar nature of the {Mo72Fe30} POM nano-electrocatalysts is studied using the electrochemical gating via simultaneous monitoring of the electrochemical (cell) and electrical ({Mo72Fe30} POM) signals. Next, a prototype water electrolyzer fabricated using {Mo72Fe30} POM electrocatalysts showed they can drive 10 mA cm-2 with a low cell voltage of 1.62 V in lab-scale test conditions. Notably, the {Mo72Fe30} POM electrolyzers' performance assessment based on recommended conditions for industrial aspects shows that they require a very low overpotential of 1.89 V to drive 500 mA cm-2, highlighting their promising candidature toward clean-hydrogen production.

Heterogeneous Transformation of Ginsenoside Rb1 with Ethanol Using Heteropolyacid-Loaded Mesoporous Silica and Identification by HPLC-MS

Rare ginsenosides with major pharmacological effects are barely present in natural ginseng and are required to be obtained by transformation. In the current study, ginsenoside Rb1 was chemically transformed with the involvement of ethanol molecules to prepare rare ginsenosides using the synthesized heterogeneous catalyst 12-HPW@MeSi. A total of 16 transformation products were obtained and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with multistage tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Ethanol molecules were involved in the production of 6 transformation products by adding to the C-20(21), C-20(22), or C-24(25) double bonds on the aglycone to produce ethoxyl groups at the C-25 and C-20 positions. Transformation pathways of ginsenoside Rb1 are summarized, which involve deglycosylation, elimination, cycloaddition, epimerization, and addition reactions. In addition, 12-HPW@MeSi was recyclable through a simple centrifugation, maintaining an 85.1% conversion rate of Rb1 after 3 cycles. This work opens up an efficient and recycled process for the preparation of rare ginsenosides with the involvement of organic molecules.

Organo-Functionalized Lacunary Double Cubane-Type Oxometallates: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of [(MII Cl)2 (VIV O)2 {((HOCH2 CH2 )(H)N(CH2 CH2 O))(HN(CH2 CH2 O)2 )}2 ] (M=Co, Zn)

Organofunctionalized tetranuclear clusters [(MII Cl)2 (VIV O)2 {((HOCH2 CH2 )(H)N(CH2 CH2 O))(HN(CH2 CH2 O)2 )}2 ] (1, M=Co, 2: M=Zn) containing an unprecedented oxometallacyclic {M2 V2 Cl2 N4 O8 } (M=Co, Zn) framework have been prepared by solvothermal reactions. The new oxo-alkoxide compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetic susceptibility measurement, DFT and ab initio computational methods, and complete single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure analysis. The isostructural clusters are formed of edge-sharing octahedral {VO5 N} and trigonal bipyramidal {MO3 NCl} units. Diethanolamine ligates the bimetallic lacunary double cubane core of 1 and 2 in an unusual two-mode fashion, unobserved previously. In the crystalline state, the clusters of 1 and 2 are joined by hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network structure. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate weakly antiferromagnetic interactions between the vanadium centers [Jiso (VIV -VIV )=-5.4(1); -3.9(2) cm-1 ], and inequivalent antiferromagnetic interactions between the cobalt and vanadium centers [Jiso (VIV -CoII )=-12.6 and -7.5 cm-1 ] contained in 1.

Novel morphological mono-metallic substituted polyoxometalate immobilized 3-(aminopropyl)-imidazole photocatalysts for visible-light driven degradation: Anti-bacterial activity, membrane bacterial activity applications

A novel keggin-type tetra-metalates substituted polyoxometalate was functionalized by 3-(aminopropyl)-imidazole (3-API) supporting a ligand substitution method. In this paper, polyoxometalate (POMs) (NH₄)₃ [PMo₁₂O₄₀] and transition metal substituted of (NH₄)₃ [{PM^IVMo₁₁O₄₀}.(H₂O)] (M = Mn, V) are used as one of the adsorbents. The 3-API/POMs hybrid have been synthesized and used as adsorbent for the photo-catalysis of azo-dye molecule degradation after visible-light illumination as a simulated organic contaminant in water. The transition metal (M = M^IV, V^IV) substituted keggin-type anions (MPOMs) were synthesized, which reveals the degradation of methyl orange (MO) of about 94.0 % and 88.6 %. Immobilizing high redox ability POMs as an efficient acceptor of photo generated electron, on metal 3-API. In the presence of visible light irradiation result reveals that 3-API/POMs (89.9 %) have incredibly achieved after certain irradiation time and at specific conditions (3)-API/POMs; photo-catalysts dose = 5mg/100 ml, pH = 3 and MO dye concentration = 5 ppm). As the surface of POM catalyst has strong absorption of azo-dye MO molecule engaged as a molecular exploration through photo catalytic reactant. From the SEM images it is clear that the synthesized POMs based materials and POMs conjugated MO have varieties of morphological changes observed such as flakes, rods and spherical like structures. Anti-bacterial study reveals that the process of targeted microorganism occur higher activity against pathogenic bacterium for 180 min of visible-light irradiation is measured in terms of zone of the inhibition. Furthermore, the photo catalytic degradation mechanism of MO using POM, metaled POMs and 3-API/POMs also has been discussed.

Two Polyoxometalate-Encapsulated Two-Fold Interpenetrating Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Detection, Discrimination, and Degradation of Phenolic Pollutants

Phenols are widely used for commercial production, while they pose a hazard to the environment and human health. Thus, investigation of convenient and efficient methods for the detection, discrimination, and degradation of phenols becomes particularly important. Herein, two new polyoxometalate (POM)-based compounds, [Co₂(btap)₄(H₂O)₄][SiW₁₂O₄₀] (Co-POM) and [Ni₂(btap)₄(H₂O)₄][SiW₁₂O₄₀] (Ni-POM) (btap = 3,5-bis(triazol-1-yl)pyridine), are prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis method. The compounds show a fascinating structural feature of a POM-encapsulated twofold interpenetrating dia metal-organic framework. More importantly, besides the novel structures, the compound Co-POM realizes three functions, namely, the simultaneous detection, discrimination, and degradation of phenols. Specifically, Co-POM shows an excellent colorimetric detection performance toward phenol with a detection limit (LOD) ca. 1.32 μM, which is lower than most reported colorimetric detectors for phenol. Also, a new colorimetric sensor system based on Co-POM can discriminate phenol, 4-chlorophenol, and o-cresol with ease. Further, Co-POM exhibits a photocatalytic degradation property for 4-chlorophenol under irradiation of visible light with the highest degradation rate at 62% after irradiation for 5 h. Therefore, this work provides the first example of a POMs-based multifunctional material for achieving the detection, discrimination, and degradation of phenolic pollutants.

Greener organic synthetic methods: Sonochemistry and heterogeneous catalysis promoted multicomponent reactions

Ultrasound is an essential technique to improve organic synthesis from the point of view of green chemistry, as it can promote better yields and selectivities, in addition to shorter reaction times when compared to the conventional methods. Heterogeneous catalysis is another pillar of sustainable chemistry being the recycling and reuse of the catalysts one of its great advantage. In the other hand, multicomponent reactions provide the synthesis of structurally diverse compounds, in a one-pot fashion, without isolation and purification of intermediates. Thus, the combination of these protocols has proved to be a powerful tool to obtain biologically active organic compounds with lower costs, time and energy consumption. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of advances on methods of organic synthesis that have been reported over the past ten years with focus on ultrasound-assisted multicomponent reactions under heterogeneous catalysis. In particular, we present pharmacologically important N- and O-heterocyclic compounds, considering their synthetic methods using green solvents, and catalyst recycling.

Application of polyoxometalates in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Organic pollutants are highly toxic, accumulative, and difficult to degrade or eliminate. As a low-cost, high-efficiency and energy-saving environmental purification technology, photocatalytic technology has shown great advantages in solving increasingly serious environmental pollution problems. The development of efficient and durable photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants is the key to the extensive application of photocatalysis technology. Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a kind of discrete metal-oxide clusters with unique photo/electric properties which have shown promising applications in photocatalytic degradation. This review summarizes the recent advances in the design and synthesis of POM-based photocatalysts, as well as their application in the degradation of organic dyes, pesticides and other pollutants. In-depth perspective views are also proposed in this review.

Optical, third order non-linear optical and electrochemical properties of dipolar, centrosymmetric and C2v organoimido polyoxometalate derivatives

A family comprising seven arylimido-polyoxometalate (POM) hybrid chromophores (three of which are new), with linear dipolar, C_2v and linear centrosymmetric geometries have been synthesised and studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry, Z-scans (two photon absorption, TPA) and computation (DFT/TD-DFT). These reveal that POM acceptor units are an effective basis for TPA materials: the centrosymmetric bis-POM chromophores produce significant cross sections (δ up to 82 GM) from a single aryl bridge, a similar performance to larger dipolar π-systems combining carbazole or diphenylamino donors with the imido-POM acceptor. DFT/TD-DFT calculations indicate strong communication between POM and organic components is responsible for the linear and non-linear optical behaviour of these compounds, while electrochemical measurements reveal class II mixed valence behaviour resulting from an interplay of through-bond and through-space effects.

Nitrogen-deficient g-C3Nx/POMs porous nanosheets with P-N heterojunctions capable of the efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin

The direct shedding of piperazine rings is critical for the degradation of antibiotic persistent organic pollutants. In this work, nitrogen-deficient g-C₃N₄ loaded with polyoxometalates porous photocatalysts with P-N heterojunctions were carried out through the formation of chemical bonds between the nitrogen-deficient C⁺ in g-C₃N_x and the bridging oxygen in polyoxometalates (POMs), including phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and silicotungstic acid (STA). The adsorption and photocatalysis experiments confirm the ability of the g-C₃N_x/POMs nanosheets to efficiently remove ciprofloxacin via the synergistic effects of adsorption and photo-catalysis. Approximately, g-C₃N_x/POMs-30 exhibits the optimal degradation ability, and the degradation rates of g-C₃N_x/PMA-30, g-C₃N_x/PTA-30 and g-C₃N_x/STA-30 could respectively reach 93.1%, 97.4% and 95.6% within only 5 min under visible light. The free radical scavenging experiment and ESR free radical capture experiments confirm that ·OH and ·O₂^- are free radicals that effectively degrade CIP. According to the results of the LC-MS analysis, the intermediates produced after CIP degradation and the efficient degradation pathway are proposed. The direct shedding of piperazine rings in the decarboxylation and defluorination process leads to the most efficient degradation of CIP into the small molecules.

Preparation of PLA blends by polycondensation of D,L-lactic acid using supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid as a heterogeneous catalyst

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a significant polymer that is based on renewable biomass resources. The production of PLA by polycondensation using heterogeneous catalysis is a focus for sustainable and economical processes. A series of samples comprising 12-tungstophosphoric acid (H₃PW) supported on activated carbon, silica, and alumina induced the catalytic polymerization of D,L-lactic acid to form blends of PLA. The catalysts were characterized by multiple techniques to confirm the integrity of the Keggin anion as well as the acidity, which is the key property for relating structure to activity. The best reaction conditions were established for H₃PW/C and tested for the other supported catalysts. The obtained polymer was a blend that was characterized as an enantiomeric excess (ee) of as much as 95% L-PLA (PLLA) with a mass average molar mass (M _w ) of approximately 14,900 daltons. The role of H₃PW in these polymerizations was demonstrated, i.e., without the Keggin acid, only oligomeric units (M _w < 10,000 daltons) could be obtained. Additionally, inverse relationships between the M _w of PLA and the enthalpy (-ΔH) of the strongest sites of the catalysts were distinguished, i.e., PLA_Mw-H3PW/C > PLA_{Mw-H3PW/Al2O3} > PLA_Mw-H3PW/SiO2, whereas the acidity (-ΔH) order was as follows: H₃PW/SiO₂ > H₃PW/Al₂O₃ > H₃PW/C. These findings could be attributed to the correct tuning of strength and the accessibility of the sites to produce longer polymeric chains.

Selective photocatalytic conversion of methane into carbon monoxide over zinc-heteropolyacid-titania nanocomposites

Chemical utilization of vast fossil and renewable feedstocks of methane remains one of the most important challenges of modern chemistry. Herein, we report direct and selective methane photocatalytic oxidation at ambient conditions into carbon monoxide, which is an important chemical intermediate and a platform molecule. The composite catalysts on the basis of zinc, tungstophosphoric acid and titania exhibit exceptional performance in this reaction, high carbon monoxide selectivity and quantum efficiency of 7.1% at 362 nm. In-situ Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggest that the catalytic performance can be attributed to zinc species highly dispersed on tungstophosphoric acid /titania, which undergo reduction and oxidation cycles during the reaction according to the Mars-van Krevelen sequence. The reaction proceeds via intermediate formation of surface methyl carbonates.

An overview report on the application of heteropoly acids on supporting materials in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions

Organic pollutants contaminate water resources and the environment when discharged into water streams. Also, the presence of these materials in incompletely treated or untreated wastewater leads to serious environmental hazards. The hydroxyl radicals and holes are regarded as the most oxidant species in the degradation of organic pollutants using the studied composites. The results of this review show that heteropoly acids on supporting materials could be considered as appropriate photocatalysts in the removal of organic pollutant from aqueous solutions.

Bicapped Keggin polyoxomolybdates: discrete species and experimental and theoretical investigations on the electronic delocalization in a chain compound

Monomeric and 1D reduced Keggin polyoxometalates have been isolated as black crystals soluble in DMSO; DFT calculations allowed the explanation of the magnetic behavior.

A new 3D POMOF with two channels consisting of Wells–Dawson arsenotungstate and {Cl4Cu10(pz)11} complexes: synthesis, crystal structure, and properties

A new 3D POMOF based on Wells–Dawson arsenotungstate was prepared using a hydrothermal reaction. The POMOF exhibits a novel topological structure, photoluminescence properties, and excellent photocatalytic activity.

Long rigid ligand induced basket-type phosphomolybdate photo-/electro-catalytic materials

Two long rigid ligands are introduced into {P₆Mo₁₈O₇₃} systems, leading to two unique supramolecular hybrid assemblies, which show highly efficient catalytic activity for the degradation of refractory dye AP under UV light and bifunctional electrocatalytic behavior for the oxidation of dopamine (DA) and reduction of H₂O₂.

Effective photocatalytic and bifunctional electrocatalytic materials based on Keggin arsenomolybdates and different transition metal capped assemblies

V, Co, and Cu were introduced into {AsMo₁₂} system to build three Keggin derivatives with different caps, which show excellent photocatalytic activity and bifunctional electrocatalytic behavior.

Efficient and robust photocatalysts based on {P2W18} modified by an Ag complex

Ag⁺ and the flexible ligand bimb were introduced into Dawson phosphomolybdate systems as linkage units to induce two fascinating 3-D inorganic–organic networks, which exhibit excellent electro- and photo-catalytic behavior.

Synthesis and photo-/electro-catalytic properties of Keggin polyoxometalate inorganic–organic hybrid layers based on d10 metal and rigid benzo-diazole/-triazole ligands

Unusual hepta- and nona-nuclear copper/silver complexes were introduced into different Keggin cluster leading to 2-D hybrid layers, which exhibit merit photo- and electro-catalytic properties.

The basket-type dimer layers based on tetra-electron reduced heteropoly blue directed by copper/nickel and strontium linkers

Two basket-type dimer layers have been prepared, which exhibit highly efficient catalytic ability for the degradation of typical dyes and bifunctional electrocatalytic behaviors.

One-step synthesis of two Wells–Dawson arsenotungstate hybrids via M–O–M bridges for efficient adsorption and selective separation of organic pollutants

Two chain-like Dawson arsenotungstate hybrids with M–O–M and Cu–L linker have been hydrothermally synthesized, which have good electrocatalytic activity and selective adsorption properties for MB.