Three novel organic-inorganic complexes based on decavanadate [V10O28]6- units: special water layers, open 3D frameworks and yellow/blue luminescences

Three unusual polyoxovanadate-based inorganic-organic hybrid complexes, [Zn(Im)(2)(DMF)(2)](2)[H2V10O28]center dot Im center dot DMF (1), [Zn-3(Htrz)(6)(H2O)(6)][V10O28]center dot 10H(2)O center dot Htrz (2) and {[Zn-3(trz)(3)(H2O)(4)(DMF)](2)[V10O28]center dot 4H(2)O}(n) (3) (Im = imidazole, Htrz = 1,2,4-triazole, DMF = N,N'-dimethylammonium) have been synthesized at room temperature via evaporative crystallization, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 shows the structure of a discrete [V10O28](6-) cluster grafted by two [Zn(Im)(2)(DMF)(2)](2+) fragments through two bridged oxygen atoms, representing a rarely observed coordination mode. Complex 2 consists of a linear trinuclear Zn(II) unit bridging six Htrz ligands and a [V10O28](6-) cluster as the counter anion, where the extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions lead to {Zn-3-V-10}(SMF) and a special water layer involving (H2O)(36) rings, and consequently forms a unique 3D metal-organic-water supramolecular network. Complex 3 can be described as a 3,4-connected fsc-type network, and is the first example of open coordination 3D framework based on [V10O28](6-) and the other two different secondary building units, involving mononuclear and binuclear Zn(II)-Htrz motifs. The optical properties of complexes 1-3 in the solid state are investigated at room temperature. The results show that complexes 1 and 3 emit intense blue luminescences attributed to the ligands, while complex 2 exhibits an infrequent fluorescent property, emitting both blue and yellow luminescences at 472 and 603 nm simultaneously. Furthermore, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses of 1-3 are also investigated, which demonstrate their high purities and thermal stabilities.