Hyperstable chromium(iii)/manganese(ii) bimetallic wheel clusters with visible photoactivity.

Abstract

Two new chromium and manganese bimetallic nanoclusters, [Cr8-xMnx(OH)8-x(H2O)x(OOCC6H5)16, x = 1.11] (1) and [Cr4Mn4O4(OOCC6H5)12·3CH3CN·H2O] (2), have been synthesized in a one-pot solvothermal reaction in this work. Under visible irradiation, cluster 1 can produce an increased photocurrent and exhibits significant visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution in an aqueous system. Most importantly, it exhibits ultrahigh stability in both acid and base aqueous solutions, making it an excellent synthon for preparing functional materials.