Two Cu(i)-based inorganic–organic complexes assembled with polyoxometalate and thiacalix[4]arene for efficient catalytic reactions

Abstract

Two Cu(I)-based inorganic–organic complexes, namely, [H₃O]·[CuL]·0.5[Mo₁₀O₃₂]·H₂O (1) and [CuL]·0.5[HPW₁₂O₄₀]·EtOH·H₂O (2), were designed by combining polyoxometalate, Cu(I) ions and tetra-[2-mercaptopyrimidine]-thiacalix[4]arene (L₁). In both 1 and 2, each Cu(I) is bridged by two different L ligands to form a chain. The polyoxometalate anions are free and balance the network charge. Significantly, the oxidation desulfurization and cycloaddition reactions were studied with 1 and 2 as heterogeneous catalysts, respectively. Moreover, the two complexes featured chemical stability and catalytic recyclability, and are easy to separate from the solvents.