Cupric Decamolybdodivanadophosphate. A Coordination Polymer Heterogeneous Catalyst for Rapid, High Conversion, High Selectivity Sulfoxidation Using the Ambient Environment

A new type of coordination network polymer involving the redox-active polyanion, PV2Mo10O40 5-, and bridging −CuII(OH2)4− units, {[(CuII(OH2)4)3(OH)]PV2Mo10O40} n (1), has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and several other methods. It is the first efficient heterogeneous (insoluble) catalyst for selective and rapid sulfoxidation using only the ambient environment (air at room temperature). Catalytic activity is enhanced by soluble nitrate in nontoxic perfluoropolyether (PFPE) media.