Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Electrochemical Property of a Ribbon-like Coordination Polymer based on Octamolybdate Anions

A new coordination polymer based on octamolybdate anions and copper(II)-mebpa complex fragments, namely, [{Cu(mebpa)}2β-Mo8O26] (1), where mebpa is bis(2-pyridylmethyl)methylamine, has been synthesized under the hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry. 1 is formed from β-[Mo8O26]4− anions with {Cu(mebpa)}2+ fragments covalently attached via terminal oxygen atoms into a ribbon-like chain. The β-[Mo8O26]4− anions act as sexadentate ligands and the CuII ions adopt the common Jahn-Teller distorted “4+2” coordination. Owing to the weak C-H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, two crystallographically independent {CuN3O3} octahedra are located in the A and B layers respectively. The chemically modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) displays well-defined cyclic voltammograms with three two-electron reversible redox couples in acidic aqueous solution and electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of nitrite.