Self-assembly of three Ag-polyoxovanadates frameworks for their efficient construction of CN bond and detoxification of simulant sulfur mustard

Three imidazole-modified Ag-polyoxovanadates frameworks (APFs) with a controllable molar ratio of Ag+ to polyoxovanadates (POVs) [Ag(IM)2]2V4O12·2Ag(IM)2 (APF-1), [Ag2(1-eIM)4]2[Ag(1-eIM)2]3·2Ag(1-eIM)2·3(1-HeIM)[V10O28]2 (APF-2) and [Ag(1-pIM)2]3[HV10O28]·2Ag(1-pIM)2·2H2O (APF-3) (IM = imidazole; 1-eIM = 1-ethylimidazole and 1-pIM = 1-propylimidazole) have been successfully achieved by self-assembly of POVs, Ag+ cations, and three different imidazole derivatives. Interestingly, the molar ratios of Ag+ to POVs vary from 4:1, 4.5:1 to 5:1 by changing the vanadium resources and imidazole derivatives. Notably, the coordination environment of Ag+ cations and the structure of POVs in the APFs are also different. Specifically, for APF-1, the four Ag atoms adopt three-coordinated and four-coordinated geometries, respectively, and Ag-imidazole complexes and [V4O12]4− cluster form the one-dimensional polymeric chains. While Ag atoms in APF-2 and APF-3 exhibit two-, four- and five-coordinated geometries for APF-2, four-, five- and six-coordinated geometries for APF-3, respectively. These Ag+ cations and decavanadate clusters are assembled into the 2D supramolecular structure through the Ag-O bonds and Ag…Ag argentophilic interaction. Remarkably, thus-obtained APF-2 can serve as powerful efficient heterogeneous catalyst for construction of CN bond and detoxification of simulant sulfur mustard (yields up to 99%), which enable successful recycling for three cycles with remained catalytic activities and structure stability.