Fully Oxidized and Mixed-Valent Polyoxomolybdates Structured by Bisphosphonates with Pendant Pyridine Groups: Synthesis, Structure and Photochromic Properties

Hybrid organic-inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs) were synthesized in water by the reaction of a MoVI precursor with bisphosphonate ligands functionalized by pyridine groups. The fully oxidized POM [(MoVI3O8)2(O)(O3PC(O)(C3H6NH2CH2C5H4NH)PO3)2]4− has been isolated as water insoluble pure Na salt (NaMo6(Ale-4Py)2) or mixed Na/K salt (NaKMo6(Ale-4Py)2) and their structure solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mixed-valent complex [(MoV2O4)(MoVI2O6)2{O3PC(O)(C3H6N(CH2C5H4N)2(MoVIO3))PO3}2]8− was obtained as an ammonium salt (NH4Mo6(AlePy2Mo)2), in the presence of a reducing agent (hydrazine). 31P NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous media have allowed determining the pH stability domain of NH4Mo6(AlePy2Mo)2. NaMo6(Ale-4Py)2 and NaKMo6(Ale-4Py)2 exhibit remarkable solid-state photochromic properties in ambient conditions. Under UV excitation, they develop a very fast color-change from white to deep purple and proved to be the fastest photochromic organoammonium/POM systems. The coloration kinetics has been fully quantified for both salts and is discussed in light of the hydrogen-bonding networks.