A novel inorganic–organic hybrid compound based on heteropolyoxomolybdate nanocluster as selective catalyst for epoxidation of cyclooctene

A new Co2 +-centered heteropolyoxomolybdate nanocluster containing the bipy ligand (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), with formula [4,4′-H2bipy][Co0.23Mo6O20]·2H2O (1), has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by means of FT-IR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The catalytic investigations disclosed that 1 displayed both good activity and stability in the epoxidation of cyclooctene. It can also be recovered easily and reused in the reaction without significant loss of activity or selectivity. Furthermore, the effect of the type of oxidant and solvent on the conversion of the reaction was investigated.