The synthesis of polyoxometalate-based metal-organic frameworks under ionothermal conditions

Using ionic liquid (IL) [Bmim]Br (Bmim=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) as solvent has resulted in a polyoxometalate-based metal-organic framework (PMOFs), [Cu(I)Bbi](4)SiW12O40H2O (1) [Bbi=1,1-(1,4-butanediyl)-bis(imidazole)], and was produced via an ionothermal route. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a 1-D ladder with large voids, resulting in a 3-D supermolecular structure using the classic Keggin-type anion as a second building block. This means utilizing ILs to construct 3-D PMOFs can be efficiently realized. Additionally, electrochemical, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic properties of 1 were studied.