Two new hybrid compounds assembled from Keggin phosphotungstates, cobalt/zinc cations and V-shaped imidazole ligands

• Two compounds showing from simple chain to complicated framework have been obtained.
• Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, XPS and PXRD.
• The compound shows a good activity toward reduction of hydrogen peroxide.

Two new inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, [Co(H2O)2(bimb)2]2[PWVWVI11O40] (1) and [Zn3(H2O)4(bimb)4][PWV3WVI9O40] (2) (bimb = 1,3-bis(1-imidazoly)benzene) have been obtained and characterized by routine methods. Compounds 1 and 2 are synthesized under the same hydrothermal conditions except for alternation of the metal cations, however, their eventual structures are different. Compound 1 exhibits a 1D chain, whereas 2 shows a complicated 3D framework. The distinct structural features of the two compounds indicate that metal cations should have great effects on the structures of POM-based organic–inorganic hybrid compounds. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 have been also investigated, and the results show that 1 has a good electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecules ascribed to W-centers.

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