Structural Characterization and ORR Activity of a Copper Complex Borate and an Unexpected [Ni(atta)(SO4)0.5]+ Borate-Sulfate.

ABSTRACT

Two metal templated borates, [Ni(atta)(SO4)0.5]·[B5O6(OH)4] (1) and [Cu(1-MI)4]·[B5O6(OH)4]2·1-MI2 (2), have been synthesized. The structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and further characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), elemental analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The structure of 1 consists of [B5O6(OH)4]- clusters and [Ni(atta)(SO4)0.5]+ complexes, which shows a very rare Ni-O-S bond. 1 and 2 exhibit a hydrogen-bonded network formed by [B5O6(OH)4]- clusters. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities of 1 and 2 were explored.