A supramolecular approach to the crystallization of chalcogenido bridged cluster aqua ions: synthesis and structure of a cucurbituril adduct of the di-μ-disulfido Nb(IV)2 aqua ion [Nb2(μ-S2)2(H2O)8]4+

A solution of cucurbituril in 2.5 M HCl reacts upon mixing with Cs5[Nb2S4Cl8]Cl to produce the yellow crystals of [Nb2S4(H2O)8](C36H36N24O12)Cl4·15H2O (1). The crystal structure of 1 reveals one-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid material of alternating cucurbituril molecules and [Nb2(μ-S2)2(H2O)8]4+ cations assembled through strong hydrogen bonds between coordinated water molecules and portal oxygen atoms of cucurbituril.