[Cu(mim)4]2[α-Mo8O26] – A layer-type octamolybdate framework

By reaction of (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O, Cu(NO₃)₂·2.5H₂O and 1-methylimidazole (mim) under hydrothermal conditions the novel copper molybdate Cu(mim)₄]₂α-Mo₈O₂₆] is obtained in the form of blue, rectangular-shaped crystals. The title compound crystallizes with monoclinic lattice symmetry in the space group P2₁/n. The predominant structural feature of the title compound is a two-dimensional framework that is constituted by α-Mo₈O₂₆]^4?octamolybdate units as framework nods and the copper complex Cu(mim)₄]²⁺ as a linker. In addition to single-crystal structure analysis Cu(mim)₄]₂α-Mo₈O₂₆] is characterized by powder diffraction as well as by FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy.