Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of Keggin-type polyoxometalate coordinated Cu(I): {[Cu(py)2]4[SiW12O40]}, via hydrothermal decarboxylation

A Keggin-type polyoxometalate [SiW12O40](4-) supported transition metal complex, {[Cu(py)(2)](4)[SiW12O40]} (py = pyridine), has been synthesized by hydrothermal decarboxylation and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, thermal stability analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound is a 1-D chain containing an inorganic-organic backbone with alternating [SiW12O40](4-) clusters and [Cu(py)(2)](+) along the c-axis, and with both three-and four-coordinate copper. The luminescence properties indicated that the emission peak is emission of pyridine, assigned to the Cu(I) to pyridine charge transfer. This air-stable Cu(I) complex can efficiently catalyze the O-arylation of both phenols and aryl halides.