The first example of a structure containing both α- and β-octamolybdates: synthesis and structure of a new three-dimensional supramolecular network [Co(2,2′-bipy)3]4[Mo8O26]2·5H2O (2,2′-bipy=2,2′-bipyridine)

A novel three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular compound [Co(2,2′-bipy)3]4[Mo8O26]2·5H2O (1) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by the elemental analyses, TG analysis and the single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/n, with a=22.171(4) Å, b=14.213(3) Å, c=24.655(5) Å, β=99.14(3)°, V=7671(3) Å3, and Z=2. The [Ni(2,2′-bipy)3]2+ coordinated complexes in compound 1 are packed together via the aromatic π-π stacking interactions and exhibit an interesting 3D honeycomb 'host' supramolecular network with 1D channels, in which α- and β-octamolybdate anions 'guests' reside.