Two hybrid compounds constructed from Ni-tris(imidazolyl) complexes and Keggin clusters: Syntheses, structures and electrochemical properties

•Two new hybrids based on Ni-tris(imidazolyl) complexes and Keggin clusters.•Keggin anions play a key role in the assembly process of two hybrids.•Bifunctional electrocatalytic activities toward both nitrite and ascorbic acid.

By introducing different polyoxotungstates into the Ni-tib (tib = 1, 3, 5-tris (1-imidazolyl)benzene) system, two new polyoxometalate-based inorganic-organic hybrids with distinct architectures, [Ni(Htib)4][PW12O40]2 (1) and [Nitib]2(H2O)4](GeW12O40)·2H2O (2) have been synthesized under the same hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and characterized by infrared spectra (IR), elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns and thermogravimetic (TG) analyses. Structural analyses show that compound 1 is a dimer, in which two neighboring mono-connected [PW12O40]3- (PW12) clusters are linked together by a [Ni(Htib)4] complex cation. In contrast to compound 1, compound 2 presents a 2D grid layer formed by bi-connected [GeW12O40]4- (GeW12) clusters and [Ni2(H2O)4(tib)2] complex cations, and the adjacent layers are further linked together by the hydrogen bondings to form a highly opened 3D framework. The distinct structural features of two hybrids suggest that the charge of the Keggin anions should play a key role in the process of assembly. Additionally, the electrochemical properties of compounds 1 and 2 have been investigated, and the results indicated that 1 and 2 have good electrocatalytic activities towards reduction of nitrite and oxidation of ascorbic acid.

Graphical abstractTwo new hybrid compounds with bifunctional electrocatalytic activities have been obtained, which shows that the charge of the Keggin anions is a key factor to control the structures of the hybrid compounds.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide