Application of tetrazole-functionalized thioethers with different spacer lengths in the self-assembly of polyoxometalate-based hybrid compounds.

Three metal-organic networks based on Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) have been hydrothermally synthesized by tuning the spacer lengths of bis(tetrazole)-functionalized thioether ligands and structurally characterized: [Cu(4)(bmtm)(4)][SiW(12)O(40)]·2H(2)O (1), [Cu(4)(bmte)(3.5)][SiW(12)O(40)] (2), and [Cu(4)(bmtp)(4)][SiW(12)O(40)] (3) [bmtm = 1,1'-bis(1-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole)methane, bmte = 1,2-bis(1-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole)ethane, and bmtp = 1,5-bis(1-methyl-5-mercapto-1,2,3,4-tetrazole)pentane]. The spacer lengths and sulfhydryl of bis(tetrazole)-functionalized thioether ligands play important roles in the final framework formation, as shown by X-ray diffraction analysis. In compound 1, with the connection of a N,S bridge of bmtm, two kinds of binuclear Cu(I) units are formed and linked to construct a one-dimensional (1D) chain. The SiW(12)O(40) (SiW(12)) cluster provides four terminal O atoms linking four binuclear units to generate a two-dimensional layer with (8(3))(2)(8(5)·10) topology. In compound 2, centrosymmetric octameric moieties composed of two equivalent tetrameric Cu(I) units are bridged by bmte ligands to form a 1D chain. The SiW(12) clusters show an unusual (2,8)-connected mode to connect with the 1D chain and construct a four-connected three-dimensional (3D) network with 5(3)·6(2)·7 topology. Compound 3 exhibits a rare 3D host framework with a type of large cavity and two types of small windows. The SiW(12) clusters as templates are strongly cemented into the large cavities and completely encircled by small windows. Furthermore, the compound 2 bulk-modified carbon-paste electrode (2-CPE) displays good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite.