High-nuclearity Ag-substituted tetrameric sandwich-type polyoxometalates for excellent catalytic performance in C–C bond formation

Abstract

Given the fundamental role of C–C bond formation in synthetic chemistry, the development of effective acid–base catalysts is a significant and challenging endeavor. In this study, a high-nuclearity Ag-substituted tetrameric sandwich-type polyoxometalate was synthesized using simple materials via a one-pot strategy. The {Ag₁₆} cluster of the sandwich is protected and stabilized by four trivacant POM ligands, while four additional silver atom active sites remain exposed. Furthermore, compound 1 demonstrates considerable catalytic activity for C–C bond formation in the Knoevenagel condensation and cyanosilylation reactions, which can be attributed to its substantial acid–base active sites.