Syntheses characterization, and photocatalytic property of an organic-inorganic compound obtained by bromine salt and the β-Mo₈O₂₆ anion.

The article focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of a new inorganic-organic hybrid supramolecular compound, o-[C20H18N2O4][Mo8O26]0.5·H2O, prepared via a hydrothermal method from 1,2-bis[4-nitrile-pyridine)-N-methylene]phenyldibromide and ammonium heptamolybdate. Characterization by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the compound contains a β-Mo8O26^2– anion, a dicarboxylic acid chelating ligand formed by cyano group hydrolysis, and water molecules, with structural stability supported by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The compound exhibits semiconductor behavior with a band gap of 1.69 eV and demonstrates significant photocatalytic activity, achieving a 75.2% degradation rate of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV irradiation, compared to 1.82% degradation without the catalyst. The study highlights the compound's potential for wastewater pollutant removal while noting that further improvements in photocatalytic efficiency are needed.