Synthesis and nanostructure of [Mo(C6H4O2)3]·2(C4H8N2O) and the synthesis from 1,2-PDA to (C4H8N2O)

•The [Mo(C6H4O2)3] are linked by hydrogen bonds to form multi-layer structure.•Disassembled the bulk crystal into nano-aggregates which is mono-lamella morphology•The by-product C4H8N2O that are formed by one 1,2-propanediamine with one CO2 on the catalysis of Mo-complex

Continuing our work on the synthesis of MoO2L2 and MoO3LALB that show excellent anti-cancer activities in vitro, the MoL3 have been synthesized by the solvothermal reaction of Na2MoO4 with catechols and 1,2-DPA in the mixed solvent of MeCN/MeOH. X-ray diffraction revealed that Mo in chiral octahedral geometry coordinate with three catechol ligands formed three five-membered rings, and the [Mo(C6H4O2)3] are linked by hydrogen bonds Mo(OC6H4)O…H–N(C4H8O)N–H…O(C6H4O)Mo through the by-product (C4H8N2O) that are formed by one 1,2-DPA with one CO2 on the catalysis of Mo-complex. Also, we have disassembled bulk crystal into nano-aggregates, and under TEM mono-lamella morphology of nanostructures was observed, which agrees well with the previous conclusion that the morphologies of the nano-aggregates are associated with the quantum motifs in their crystal lattices. [Mo(C6H4O2)3] have also been characterized by UV–vis spectra, cyclic voltammogram and thermogravimetric analysis.

Graphical abstractSynthesis of [Mo(C6H4O2)3] and its nanostructure and C4H8N2O formed by 1,2-propanediamine and CO2 on the catalysis of Mo-complex.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide