A Ni-containing decaniobate incorporating organic ligands: Synthesis, structure, and catalysis for allylic alcohol epoxidation

Abstract

An organic-inorganic hybrid polyoxoniobate, Na8{Ni[Ni(en)]2Nb10O32}·28H2O (1) (en = ethanediamine), has been synthesized and characterized. It represents the first example of a trinuclear nickel-containing polyoxoniobate. The catalysis of 1 for allylic alcohol epoxidation was investigated at room temperature in aqueous solution, and was found to catalyze the epoxidation of 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol with high conversion (98%) and selectivity (94%). Furthermore, magnetic measurements showed that the compound exhibits ferromagnetic interactions.