A new sandwich type transition metal complex based on tungstobismuthates and 1-methylimidazole ligands exhibiting photocatalytic properties

A new sandwich-type transition metal complex based on tungstobismuthates and 1-methylimidazole ligands Na7(mim)2[{Na(H2O)2}3{CoII(mim)}3(BiIIIWVI9O33)2]·9H2O (1) (mim = 1-methylimidazole) has been successfully isolated in aqueous solution. The composition and structure were established by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and TG analyses indicate that compound 1 consists of two tri-vacant [α-B-BiIIIWVI9O33]9- units linked through three cobalt ions. All the CoII ions were sandwiched in the middle and bonded with terminal oxo atoms from [α-B-BiIIIWVI9O33]9- units as well as 1-methylimidazoles. Photocatalytic experiment indicates that compound 1 exhibit good catalytic activities for photodegradation of RhB under UV irradiation.