Citation: Lian Yang, Guo-Cheng Liu, Na Xu, Zhong Zhang, Xiu-Li Wang, Yong-Ge Wei. Catalytic synthesis of quinones and visual intelligent portable colorimetric detection of phenols by a [Ag-AlMo₆]-nanosheet-based hybrid[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(6): 112344. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112344 shu

Catalytic synthesis of quinones and visual intelligent portable colorimetric detection of phenols by a [Ag-AlMo₆]-nanosheet-based hybrid

Lian Yang ^a ,
Guo-Cheng Liu ^{a, b, *,} ,
Na Xu ^a ,
Zhong Zhang ^{a, c, *,} ,
Xiu-Li Wang ^a ,
Yong-Ge Wei ^{b, *,}

a.
College of Chemistry, Bohai University, Jinzhou 121013, China
b.
Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
c.
Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China

lgch1004@sina.com

zhangzhong666@126.com

yonggewei@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

Received Date: 11 November 2025
Revised Date: 26 December 2025
Accepted Date: 30 December 2025
Available Online: 31 December 2025

Figures(7)

Phenolic compounds are highly toxic environmental pollutants, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Designing multifunctional catalysts capable of detecting, discriminating, and transforming these hazardous phenolics into valuable products represents a promising "waste-to-treasure" strategy. In this work, a novel Anderson-type polyoxometalate-based hybrid [Ag(AlMo₆(OH)₆O₁₈)]·H₂L·2H₂O (1) (L = N,N'-bis(3-menthylpyridin-yl)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxamide), was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The assembly of AlMo₆(OH)₆O₁₈³⁻ (AlMo₆) anion with Ag⁺ ions formed a unique anionic inorganic [Ag-AlMo₆] nanosheet, further extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular by protonated H₂L²⁺ cations in an "S"-shaped arrangement. Compound 1 exhibits excellent peroxidase-like activity, enabling highly sensitive colorimetric detection of phenolic compounds with LODs ranging from 9.5 nmol/L to 63 nmol/L. Taking 2,3,6-TMP as a model analyte, smartphone-assisted visual detection was established with an LOD of 370 nmol/L. Moreover, a colorimetric sensor array combined with principal component analysis (PCA), successfully discriminated five structure similar phenolic compounds (2,3,6-trimethylphenol, 3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, o-chlorophenol, and o-bromophenol), demonstrating its potential for environmental monitoring. Beyond detection, compound 1 serves as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of phenols to their corresponding quinones, achieving high conversion rates and selectivity. The catalytic mechanism and stability were systematically investigated using PXRD, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), free radical trapping experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). This work not only provides a robust platform for phenolic pollutant detection and discrimination but also advances the sustainable transformation of harmful waste into valuable chemical feed-stocks.
- Polyoxometalate,
- POM-based hybrid,
- Colorimetric sensor,
- Intelligent detection,
- Catalytic oxidation
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沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Catalytic synthesis of quinones and visual intelligent portable colorimetric detection of phenols by a [Ag-AlMo6]-nanosheet-based hybrid

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通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Catalytic synthesis of quinones and visual intelligent portable colorimetric detection of phenols by a [Ag-AlMo₆]-nanosheet-based hybrid