Aryl selenonium vs. aryl sulfonium counterions in polyoxometalate chemistry: the impact of Se+ cationic centers on the photocatalytic reduction of dichromate

A selenonium organic counter ion has been used in polyoxometalate chemistry to develop a new aryl selenonium polyoxometalate (POM) hybrid, and its photocatalytic properties have been explored in comparison with an aryl sulfonium POM-hybrid counterpart for the first time. The chalcogenonium counterions, namely, methyldiphenylsulfonium trifluoromethane sulfonate (MDPST) and methyldiphenylselenonium trifluoromethane sulfonate (MDPSeT), and their octamolybdate ([Mo8O26]4-) hybrids, 1 and 2, with the general formula (C13H13X)4[Mo8O26] (where X = S for 1 and Se for 2) were synthesized and characterized. Hybrids 1 and 2 vary in their chalcogenonium cationic center (S+vs. Se+), which enabled a direct comparison of their photocatalytic properties as a function of the cationic center. The photocatalytic activities of hybrids 1 and 2 were tested using the reduction of dichromate (Cr2O72-) as a model reaction under UV irradiation. A 99% photocatalytic reduction of Cr2O72- with a rate constant of 0.0305 min-1 was achieved with hybrid 2, while only a 67% reduction with a rate constant of 0.0062 min-1 was observed with hybrid 1 in 180 minutes. The better catalytic performance of hybrid 2 may be correlated to the larger atomic radii of Se than S, which helps in better stabilizing the photogenerated electron-hole (e--h+) pair on the POM cluster by polarizing its lone pair more efficiently compared to S. The catalytic recyclability was tested for up to 4 cycles using hybrid 2, and up to 98% reduction was obtained even after the 4th cycle. Recyclability tests and control experiments also indicated the generation of some elemental Se through possible cleavage of some C-Se bonds of MDPSe under prolonged UV exposure during catalysis, and the Se thus generated was found to contribute to the catalytic reduction of dichromate. This study, therefore, opens new avenues for aryl selenonium moieties and their POM hybrids for potential catalytic applications.

Novel silver(i) cluster-based coordination polymers as efficient luminescent thermometers

Two original Ag-based clusters with a multidentate N-containing organic linker have been constructed featuring temperature-dependent luminescence behavior.

Four octamolybdate complexes constructed from a quinoline–imidazole–monoamide ligand: structures and electrochemical, photocatalytic and magnetic properties

Four octamolybdate-based complexes synthesized by employing N-(quinoline-5-yl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide as a ligand exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities, photocatalytic properties and antiferromagnetic behavior.

Dimensional Control in Polyoxometalate Crystals Hybridized with Amphiphilic Polymerizable Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids are an important component for constructing functional materials, and polyxometalate cluster anion is a promising partner for building inorganic-organic hybrid materials comprising ionic liquids. In such hybrid materials, the precise control of the molecular arrangement in the bulk structures is crucial for the emergence of characteristic functions, which can be realized by introducing an amphiphilic moiety into the ionic liquids. Here, an amphiphilic polymerizable imidazolium ionic liquid with a methacryloyl group was firstly hybridized with polyoxometalate anions of octamolybdate ([Mo₈O₂₆]^4-, Mo₈) and silicotungstate ([SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4-, SiW₁₂) to obtain inorganic-organic hybrid crystals. The polymerizable ionic liquid with a octyl chain (denoted as MAImC₈) resulted in the formation of anisotropic molecular arrangements in the bulk crystal structure, which was compared with the hybrid crystals composed from the polymerizable ionic liquid without a long alkyl chain (denoted as MAIm). Rather densely packed isotropic molecular arrangements were observed in the hybrid crystals of MAIm-Mo₈ and MAIm-SiW₁₂ due to the lack of the amphiphilic moiety. On the other hand, using the amphiphilic MAImC₈ cation gave rise to a honeycomb-like structure with the Mo₈ anion and a layered structure with the SiW₁₂ anion, respectively.