Assembly of two new polyoxometalate-templated supramolecular compounds by utilizing flexible 1,4-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene ligand

Two new polyoxometalate-templated supramolecular compounds, Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄]PMo^VI₁₁Mo^VO₄₀] (1) and Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄SiW₁₂O₄₀] (2) (bpmb = 1,4-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by routine methods. Structural analysis shows that in 1, there exist crown-like Cu^I₄(bpmb)₄] coordination macrocycles, and the Keggin polyanions PMo ^VI₁₁Mo^VO₄₀]^4? (abbr. as PMo₁₂), which direct the crown-like macrocycle to form a 3-D supramolecular framework. In 2, there exist unusual meso-helix chains, and these chains are mutually interlaced in a wave–trough pattern, but without intersection resulting in a multi-cavity layer, in which the SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4? (abbr. as SiW₁₂) clusters as guest molecules occupy the cavities of the layers. The distinct structural features of the two compounds suggest that Keggin polyanions should play a significant role in the process of assembly. Electrocatalytic properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.