An unprecedented 3D POM-Ag architecture with intertwined and homological helical structures.

A new hybrid compound, Na[Ag6(pyttz)2(H2O)][PMo12O40] (pyttz = 3-(pyrid-3-yl)-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-1,2,4-triazolyl), has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by routine techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the title compound is constructed by the 2D Ag-pyttz coordination polymer and 3D Ag-POM architecture with helix. A fascinating structural feature is the assembling fashion of the right- and left-helical chain, namely, the helical chains with different orientations are intertwined with each other forming intertwined double helical layers along the c-axis, and the identical left- or right-handed helical chains are fused together in a hand-by-hand mode generating another homological helical layer along the a-axis. As a result, these helical layers intersect each other obtaining an unprecedented 3D POM-Ag inorganic architecture. Note that the 3D framework with a helix constructed by POMs and metal ions has never been observed up to date. Additionally, its photocatalytic degradation of RhB was also investigated.