Two polyoxovanadates (POVs)-based cobalt–organic frameworks, namely [H2Co2(p-bix)4][V8O23] (1) and [Co(o-bix)][V2O6] (2) (where p-bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene and o-bix = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), were synthesized via a hydrothermal process and thoroughly characterized structurally. Compound 1 features a three-dimensional framework where the inorganic layers {V8Co2}, containing circular [V4O12]4− ({V4}) dimers, are interconnected by p-bix ligands. While compound 2 forms a two-dimensional layer structure where the inorganic {V4} clusters are linked by four binuclear [Co2O3(o-bix)2]2− units through the sharing of O atoms from {V4} clusters. Given the catalytic prowess of POVs in oxidizing various organic substrates, we evaluated the catalytic performance of these two compounds as heterogeneous catalysts for detoxifying mustard gas simulant CEES (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide) into the non-toxic CEESO (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfoxide). The catalytic tests revealed that both compounds effectively catalyze the oxidation of CEES, yielding solely CEESO. Particularly, catalyst 2 exhibited excellent catalytic properties, achieving nearly 100 % conversion and selectivity within just 40 min at room temperature. The prominent performance of 2 remains consistent through at least five recycling cycles, showcasing its durability and effectiveness. This exceptional performance of 2 was achieved due to the synergistic interaction between V and coordinatively unsaturated Co sites within the structure, as confirmed by detailed comparative studies of structure and catalytic activity as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
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