Assembly of the first polyoxometalate-based hybrid with [ring plus helix] channels and photocatalytic activity

A new compound containing [helix+ring] double configuration channel constructed from 216-membered macrocycle and left- and right-handed helical chains was synthesized and structurally characterized: K-2[Ag-6(pytz)(4)][PW12O40] (pytz = 5-(pyridyl) tetrazolate). The smart pytz ligand plays an important role in the formation of the [helix+ring] double configuration channel, as shown by X-ray diffraction analysis. The new compound represents the first example of helical channels with [helix+ring] double configuration. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of RhB and the photocatalytic mechanism indicate that the [helix+ring] double configuration channel with lower enthalpy prohibits the conglomeration and deactivation of POMs, which allows for the enhancement of its catalytic properties.