Preparation, structural characterization, and decomposition studies of two new γ-octamolybdates of 4-methylpyridine

We synthesized two new γ-octamolybdates, and determined their crystal structures from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Orange-yellow tetrakis(4-methylpyridinium) bis(4-methylpyridine)-γ-octamolybdate 1 crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a = 11.586(2) Å, b = 15.526(2) Å, c = 16.247(2) Å, β = 118.753(1)º, Z = 2. White tetrakis(4-methylpyridinium) bis(4-methylpyridine)-γ-octamolybdate hydrate 2 crystallizes in space group C2/c with a = 27.086(4) Å, b = 11.917(2) Å, c = 19.332(2) Å, β = 124.427(1)º, Z = 4. Results of crystal structure determinations are presented and discussed in this paper. Thermal stability and decomposition studies of the obtained two new γ-octamolybdates were performed using TG/DSC and XRPD methods. Both compounds decomposed with the formation of 4-methylpyridinium β-octamolybdate. The two compounds are pseudo-polymorphs, exhibiting both striking similarities as well as significant differences in their structures and properties.