Inorganic–organic hybrid polyoxovanadates based on [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ or [VO₃]₂²⁻ clusters: controllable synthesis, crystal structures and catalytic properties in selective oxidation of sulfides

] unit due to the different coordination environments of the central metals. Three inorganic-organic hybrid POVs as heterogeneous catalysts are active in the selective oxidation of sulfides to produce sulfoxides or sulfones with high conversion and high selectivity (up to 99.5% for sulfoxides and 98.5% for sulfones respectively catalyzed by 1). Complex 1 is also used as catalyst in the oxidative CEES (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, a sulfur mustard simulant) abatement with high activity and selectivity toward the corresponding sulfoxide. Moreover, complex 1 can be reused at least three times in sulfoxidation reactions without losing its activity.