Photochromic hybrid materials of cucurbituril and polyoxometalates as photocatalysts under visible light

Two isostructural organic-inorganic hybrid solid materials based on cucurbituril derivatives and polyoxometalates, {[K(2)(H(2)O)(2)Na(2)(H(2)O)(2)Na(2)(H(2)O)(6)](P(2)W(18)O(62))(Me(10)Q(5))(2)}center dot similar to 7H(2)O (1) and {[Rb(2)(H(2)O)(2)Na(2)(H(2)O)Na(2)(H(2)O)(4)](P(2)W(18)O(62))(Me(10)Q(5))(2)}center dot similar to 8H(2)O (2), which exhibit reversible photochromic properties as well as excellent photocatalytic activities toward the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine-B (RB) under visible light irradiation, are reported.