Amine templated open-framework vanadium(III) phosphites with catalytic properties

Four novel amine templated open-framework vanadium(III) phosphites with the formula (C5N2H14)(0.5)-[V(H2O)(HPO3)(2)], 1 (C5N2H14 = 2-methylpiperazinium), and (L)(4-x)(H3O)(x)[V-9(H2O)(6)(HPO3)(14-y)(HPO4)(y)-(H2PO3)(3-z)(H2PO4)(z)]center dot nH(2)O (2, L = cyclopentylammonium, x = 0, y = 3.5, z = 3, n = 0; 3, L = cyclohexylammonium, x = 1, y = 0, z = 0.6, n = 2.33; 4, L = cycloheptylammonium, x = 1, y = 0, z = 0, n = 2.33) were synthesized employing solvothermal reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ICP-AES and elemental analyses, thermogravimetric and thermodiffractometric analyses, and IR and UV/vis spectroscopy. Single-crystal data indicate that 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P (1) over bar, whereas 2, 3 and 4 crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6(3)/m. Compound 1 has a two-dimensional motif with anionic sheets of [V(H2O)(HPO3)(2)](-) formula, whose charge is compensated by the 2-methylpiperazinium cations embedded between the layers. In contrast, 2, 3 and 4 present a pillar-layer network giving rise to a three-dimensional framework containing intersecting 16-ring channels with the primary amine templates and the crystallization water molecules enclosed in them. 1, 2, 3 and 4 behave as heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides, with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidizing agent, being active, selective and recyclable for several successive cycles of reaction.