A Ni–Mo Polyoxometalate Based on Octamolybdate: Self-assemble and Application in Hydrotreating Catalyst

With the help of hydrogen bonding and π⋯π stacking, the small molecular clusters in the impregnating solution was induced to self-assemble and form a new Ni–Mo polyoxometalate based on octamolybdate with a molecular formula of [Ni(pyz) 6 ] [Mo 8 O 26 (pyz) 2 ]⋅10H 2 O (pyz = pyrazole). The polyoxometalate was structurally characterized detailed by various technologies, and its sulfide was also characterized to make a preliminary study to explore the use of it as a potential NiMoS active phase precursor. Much more NiMoS active phase and higher catalytic activity of the Ni–Mo sulfided catalyst was found, and the structure-directing effects can account for the phenomenon. The results show the Ni–Mo polyoxometalate [Ni(pyz) 6 ] [Mo 8 O 26 (pyz) 2 ]⋅10H 2 O can make a superior precursor to prepare the hydrodesulfurization catalyst, and it provides a new preparation methodology to the rational design and controllable preparation of superior hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Graphical Abstract