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Metal organic polyhedra (MOPs) such as coordination cages and clusters are increasingly utilized across many fields, but their geometrically selective assembly during synthesis is nontrivial. When ligand coordination along these polyhedral edges is arranged in an unsymmetrical mode or the bridging ligand itself is nonsymmetric, a vast combinatorial space of potential isomers exists complicating formation and isolation. Here we describe two generalizable combinatorial methodologies to explore the geometrical space and enumerate the configurational isomers of MOPs with discrimination of the chiral and achiral structures. The methodology has been applied to the case of the octahedron {Bi6Fe13L12} which has unsymmetrical coordination of a carboxylate ligand (L) along its edges. For these polyhedra, the enumeration methodology revealed 186 distinct isomers, including 74 chiral pairs and 38 achiral. To explore the programming of these, we then used a range of ligands to synthesize several configurational isomers. Our analysis demonstrates that ligand halo-substituents influence isomer symmetry and suggests that more symmetric halo-substituted ligands counterintuitively yield lower symmetry isomers. We performed mass spectrometry studies of these {Bi6Fe13L12} clusters to evaluate their stability and aggregation behavior in solution and the gas phase showing that various isomers have different levels of aggregation in solution., We describe combinatorial methodologies to explore the geometrical space and enumerate the configurational isomers of metal organic polyhedra with discrimination of the chiral and achiral structures. The methodology was applied to the octahedral {Bi6Fe13L12} which has an unsymmetrical coordination of a carboxylate ligands (L) along its edges. For these polyhedra, the enumeration methodology revealed 186 distinct isomers, including 74 chiral pairs and 38 achiral. We used a range of ligands to synthesize several configurational isomers.

Polyoxometalate Molybdenum blue (MBs) complexes typically exist as discrete multianionic clusters and are composed of repeating Mo building units. MB Wheels, such as {Mo176} and {Mo154} are made fr...

Giant polyoxomolybdates are traditionally synthesized by chemical reduction of molybdate in aqueous solutions, generating complex nanostructures such as the highly symmetrical spherical {Mo102} and {Mo132}, ring-shaped {Mo154} and {Mo176}, and the gigantic protein sized {Mo368}, which combines both positive and negative curvature. These complex polyoxometalates are known to be highly sensitive to reaction conditions and are often difficult to reproduce, especially {Mo368}, which is often produced in yields far below 1%, meaning further investigation has always been limited. While the electrochemical properties of these materials have been studied, their electrochemical synthesis has not been explored. Herein, we demonstrate an alternative reliable synthetic method by means of electrochemistry. By using electrochemical synthesis, we have shown the synthesis of various reported polyoxomolybdates, along with some unreported structures with unique features that have yet to be reported by traditional synthetic methods. The six different giant polyoxomolybdates that were obtained via electrochemical synthesis range from the spherical {Mo102-xFex} and {Mo132} to the ring-shaped {Mo148} and {Mo154-x}, as well as the largest known polyoxometalate {Mo368}, with improved yield (up to 26.1% for {Mo368}), increased reproducibility, and shorter crystallization time compared to chemical reduction methods.

The construction of pure-inorganic framework materials with well-defined design rules and building blocks is challenging. In this work, we show how a polyoxometalate cluster with an integrated pore, based on [P8 W48 O184 ]40- (abbreviated as {P8 W48 }), can be self-assembled into inorganic frameworks using silver ions, which both enable reactions on the cluster as well as link them together. The {P8 W48 } was found to be highly reactive with silver ions resulting in the in situ generation of fragments, forming {P9 W63 O235 } and {P10 W66 O251 } in compound (1) where these two clusters co-crystallize and are connected into a POMZite framework with 11 Ag+ ions as linkers located inside clusters and 10 Ag+ linking ions situated between clusters. Decreasing both the concentration of Ag+ ions, and the reaction temperature compared to the synthesis of compound (1), leads to {P8 W51 O196 } in compound 2 where the {P8 W48 } clusters are linked to form a new POMZite framework with 9 Ag+ ions per formula unit. Further tuning of the reaction conditions yields a cubic porous network compound (3) where {P8 W48 } clusters as cubic sides are joined by 4 Ag+ ions to give a cubic array and no Ag+ ions were found inside the clusters.

The synthesis of chiral polyoxometalates (POMs) is a challenge because of the difficulty to induce the formation of intrinsically chiral metal-oxo frameworks. Herein we report the stereoselective synthesis of a series of gigantic chiral Mo Blue (MB) POM clusters 1–5 that are formed by exploiting the synergy between coordinating lanthanides ions as symmetry breakers to produce MBs with chiral frameworks decorated with amino acids ligands; these promote the selective formation of enantiopure MBs. All the compounds share the same framework archetype, based on {Mo124Ce4}, which forms an intrinsically chiral Δ or Λ configurations, controlled by the configurations of functionalized chiral amino acids. The chirality and stability of 1–5 in solution are confirmed by circular dichroism, 1H NMR, and electrospray ion mobility–mass spectrometry studies. In addition, the framework of the {Mo124Ce4} MB not only behaves as a host able to trap a chiral {Mo8} cluster that is not accessible by traditional synthesis but also promotes the transformation of tryptophan to kynurenine in situ. This work demonstrates the potential and applicability of our synthetic strategy to produce gigantic chiral POM clusters capable of host–guest chemistry and selective synthetic transformations.

Utilization of [Mo2S2O2(H2O)6]2+ and a tellurite anion led to the formation of three new clusters, 1–3, with unique structural features. The tellurite anion not only templated the formation of [(Mo2O2S2)4(TeO3)(OH)9]3−1 and [(Mo2O2S2)12(TeO3)4(TeO4)2 (OH)18]10−3, but also the in situ generation of two different types of dimeric {Te2O6} based moieties induced the spontaneous assembly of the chiral [(Mo2O2S2)10(TeO3)(Te2O6)2(OH)18]8− anionic cluster, 2.

Understanding the process of the self-assembly of gigantic polyoxometalates and their subsequent molecular growth, by the addition of capping moieties onto the oxo-frameworks, is critical for the development of the designed assembly of complex high nuclearity cluster species, yet such processes remain far from being understood. Here we describe that the molecular growth from {Mo150} and {Mo120Ce6} to afford two half-closed gigantic molybdenum blue clusters {Mo180} (1) and {Mo130Ce6} (2), respectively. 1 features a hat-shaped structure with the parent wheel-shaped {Mo150} being capped by a {Mo30} unit on one side. Similarly, 2 exhibits an elliptical lanthanide-doped wheel {Mo120Ce6} that is sealed by a {Mo10} unit on one side. Moreover, the observation of the parent uncapped {Mo150} and {Mo120Ce6} clusters as minor products during the synthesis of 1 and 2 strongly suggests that the molecular growth process can be initialized from {Mo150} and {Mo120Ce6} in solution, respectively.

Significance Self-replication is an important property of life, yet no one knows how it arose, and the machinery found in modern cells is far too complex to have formed by chance. One suggestion is that simple networks may become able to cooperate and hence replicate together forming autocatalytic sets, but no simple systems have been found. Here we present an inorganic autocatalytic, based on molybdenum blue, that is formed spontaneously when a simple inorganic salt of sodium molybdate is reduced under acidic conditions. This study demonstrates how autocatalytic sets, based on simple inorganic salts, can lead to the spontaneous emergence of self-replicating systems and solves the mystery of how gigantic molecular nanostructures of molybdenum blue can form in the first place., Here we show how a simple inorganic salt can spontaneously form autocatalytic sets of replicating inorganic molecules that work via molecular recognition based on the {PMo12} ≡ [PMo12O40]3– Keggin ion, and {Mo36} ≡ [H3Mo57M6(NO)6O183(H2O)18]22– cluster. These small clusters are able to catalyze their own formation via an autocatalytic network, which subsequently template the assembly of gigantic molybdenum-blue wheel {Mo154} ≡ [Mo154O462H14(H2O)70]14–, {Mo132} ≡ [MoVI72MoV60O372(CH3COO)30(H2O)72]42– ball-shaped species containing 154 and 132 molybdenum atoms, and a {PMo12}⊂{Mo124Ce4} ≡ [H16MoVI100MoV24Ce4O376(H2O)56 (PMoVI10MoV2O40)(C6H12N2O4S2)4]5– nanostructure. Kinetic investigations revealed key traits of autocatalytic systems including molecular recognition and kinetic saturation. A stochastic model confirms the presence of an autocatalytic network involving molecular recognition and assembly processes, where the larger clusters are the only products stabilized by the cycle, isolated due to a critical transition in the network.

Investigations of chiral host guest chemistry are important to explore recognition in confined environments. Here, by synthesizing water-soluble chiral porous nanocapsule based on the inorganic metal-oxo Keplerate-type cluster, {Mo132} with chiral lactate ligands with the composition [Mo132O372(H2O)72(x-Lactate)30]42- (x = D or L), it was possible to study the interaction with a chiral guest, L/D-carnitine and (R/S)-2-butanol in aqueous solution. The enantioselective recognition was studied by quantitative 1H NMR and 1H DOSY NMR which highlighted that the chiral recognition is regulated by two distinct sites. Differences in the association constants (K) of L- and D-carnitine, which, due to their charge, are generally restricted from entering the interior of the host, are observed, indicating that their recognition predominantly occurs at the surface pores of the structure. Conversely, a larger difference in association constants (KS/KR = 3) is observed for recognition within the capsule interior of (R)- and (S)-2-butanol.

Herein, we report a hybrid polyoxometalate organic–inorganic compound, Na2[(HGMP)2Mo5O15]⋅7 H2O (1; where GMP=guanosine monophosphate), which spontaneously assembles into a structure with dimensions that are strikingly similar to those of the naturally occurring left-handed Z-form of DNA. The helical parameters in the crystal structure of the new compound, such as rise per turn and helical twist per dimer, are nearly identical to this DNA conformation, allowing a close comparison of the two structures. Solution circular dichroism studies show that compound 1 also forms extended secondary structures in solution. Gel electrophoresis studies demonstrate the formation of non-covalent adducts with natural plasmids. Thus we show a route by which simple hybrid inorganic–organic monomers, such as compound 1, can spontaneously assemble into a double helix without the need for a covalently connected linear sequence of nucleic acid base pairs.

Engineering self-templating inorganic architectures is critical for the development of bottom-up approaches to nanoscience, but systems with a hierarchy of templates are elusive. Herein we describe that the cluster-anion-templated (CAT) assembly of a {CAT}⊂{Mo24 Fe12 } macrocycle forms a giant ca. 220 nm(3) unit cell containing 16 macrocycles clustered into eight face-shared tetrahedral cluster-of-clusters assemblies. We show that {CAT}⊂{Mo24 Fe12 } with different CATs gives the compounds 1-4 for CAT=Anderson {FeMo6 } (1), Keggin {PMo12 } (2), Dawson {P2 W18 } (3), and {Mo12 O36 (HPO3 )2 } (4) polyoxometalates. "Template-free" assembly can be achieved, whereby the macrocycle components can also form a template in situ allowing template to macrocycle to superstructure formation and the ability to exchange the templates. Furthermore, the transformation of template clusters within the inorganic macrocycle {Mo24 Fe12 } allows the self-generation of an uncapped {Mo12 O36 (HPO3 )2 } in compound 4.

Herein, we show the controlled generation of multi-component libraries based on the [MoV2S2O2]2+/MoVIO42−/SeIVO32−/C4O42− system leading to the formation of a whole new family of nanosized molecular chalcoxides, {Se8Mo36} 1, {Se8Mo40} 2, {Se8Mo56} 3, {Se20Mo56} 4 and {Se26Mo68} 5, of the general formula {(MoV2O2S2)a(OH)b(SeIVO3)c(C4O4)d(MoVI2O7)e}n−, where a, b, c, d, e, n = [16, 20, 8, 6, 2, 20] for 1, [18, 24, 8, 6, 2, 20] for 2, [24, 32, 8, 8, 4, 24] for 3, [28, 32, 20, 8, 0, 32] for 4 and [34, 36, 26, 8, 0, 36] for 5. The coordination modulation effect offered by the SeIVO32− and the C4O42− anions lead to the generation of new building blocks, [(MoV2O2S2)3(OH)6(C4O4) (MoVI2O7)]4−, and the discovery of a new family of clusters of increasing nuclearity and complexity.

Mixed valence/metal polyoxometalate (POM) clusters are one of the most interesting host species because they show the ability to incorporate a wide range of heteroatoms of various charges and geometries. We report herein the incorporation of pyramidal EO32- heteroanions (E=PH, S, Se, Te) that are responsible not only for directing the templated assembly of a family of mixed-metal POMs but also for the symmetry-breaking of the traditional Dawson architecture and modulation of the electronic characteristics of the cluster's shell. The isolated family of POMs consists of four members: (Me2 NH2 )5 Na2 [Mo11 V7 O52 (HPO3 )]⋅MeOH⋅5 H2 O (1), (NH4 )7 [Mo11 V7 O52 (SO3 )]⋅12 H2 O (2), K7 [Mo11 V7 O52 (SeO3 )] ⋅31 H2 O (3), and (Me2 NH2 )6 Na[Mo11 V7 O52 (TeO3 )]⋅15 H2 O (4), and were characterized by X-ray structural analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV/Vis, FTIR, elemental analysis, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies in concert with density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations have been used to elucidate the effect of the heteroatom on the electronic properties of the cluster.

Heteroanion (HA) moieties have a key role in templating of heteropolyoxometalate (HPA) architectures, but clusters templated by two different templates are rarely reported. Herein, we show how a cross-shaped HPA-based architecture can self-sort the HA templates by pairing two different guests into a divacant {XYW15O54} building block, with four of these building block units being linked together to complete the cross-shaped architecture. We exploited this observation to incorporate HA templates into well-defined positions within the clusters, leading to the isolation of a collection of mixed-HA templated cross-shaped polyanions [(XYW15O54)4(WO2)4]32–/36– (X = H–P, Y = Se, Te, As). The template positions have been unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; these studies demonstrated that the mixed template containing HPA clusters are the preferred products which crystallize from the solution. Theoretical studies using DFT calculations suggest that the selective self-sorting originates from the coordination of the template in solution. The cross-shaped polyoxometalate clusters are redox-active, and the ability of molecules to accept electrons is slightly modulated by the HA incorporated as shown by differential pulse voltammetry experiments. These results indicate that the cross-shaped HPAs can be used to select templates from solution, and themselves have interesting geometries, which will be useful in developing functional molecular architectures based upon HPAs with well-defined structures and electronic properties.

We report the synthesis, structural, and electronic characterization of the theoretically predicted, but experimentally elusive δ-isomer of the Keggin polyanion. A family of δ-Keggin polyoxoanions of the general formula, (TEA)HpNaq [H2M12(XO4)O33(TEA)].rH2O where p, q, r = [2,3,8] for 1 and [4,1,4] for 2 were isolated by the reaction of tungstate(VI) and vanadium(V) with triethanolammonium ions (TEAH), acting as a tripodal ligand grafted to the surface of the cluster leading to the entrapment and stabilization of the elusive polyanhionic δ Keggin archetype. The δ-Keggin species were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, UV-vis, NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry. Electronic structure and structure-stability correlations were evaluated by means of DFT calculations. The compounds exhibited multi-electron transfer and reversible photochromic properties by undergoing single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) transformations accompanied with colour changes under light

Lacunary polyoxometalates of low nuclearity are difficult to synthesize in isolation. We report the facile synthesis of six {M2(B-β-SiW8O31)2} clusters (M = Co/Mn/Ni/Zn/Cu2+, Fe3+) that can be employed as building blocks for the formation of larger architectures. We show for the first time that such {B-β-SiW8O31} lacunae are capable of reorganizing into larger Keggin lacunary species even in the absence of an external source of tungstate. We hypothesize, based on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry evidence obtained, not only that such a transformation is only possible via an initial decomposition of the {SiW8} precursor into a {SiW6}-based intermediate but also that it is this {SiW6} species that acts as the template for the growth of the larger fragments.

We report a {Cu16} embedded within a {W44} cluster containing four cubane-like [Cu4O4] units within an isopolyoxotungstate (isoPOT) in a {Na4Cu4[(H2W11O38) (CH3COO)(OH)3]}4·88H2O (1) and a polyanion Cu-linked {W11} chain Na6Cu2[(H2W11O38)(CH3COO)(OH)]·26H2O (2). Electronically, the redox properties show that both compounds 1 and 2 undergo irreversible reductions resulting in the demetalation of the compounds, whilst the magnetic behavior of 1 and 2 shows a weak antiferromagnetic and a stronger ferromagnetic coupling, respectively.

We describe the synthesis, structure, self-assembly, solution chemistry, and mass spectrometry of two new gigantic decameric molybdenum blue wheels, {Mo200Ce12} (1) and {Mo100Ce6} (2), by building block rearrangement of the tetradecameric {Mo154} framework archetype and control of the architecture's curvature in solution from the addition of Ce(III). The assembly of 1 and 2 could be directed accordingly by adjusting the ionic strength and acidity of the reaction mixture. Alternatively, the dimeric cluster {Mo200Ce12} could be transformed directly to the monomeric species {Mo100Ce6} upon addition of a potassium salt. ESI-ion mobility mass spectra were successfully obtained for both {Mo200Ce12} and {Mo100Ce6}, which is the first report in molybdenum blue chemistry thereby confirming that the gigantic clusters are stable in solution and that ion mobility measurements can be used to characterize nanoscale inorganic molecules.

The symmetry, structure and formation mechanism of the structurally self-complementary {Pd84} = [Pd84O42(PO4)42(CH3CO2)28](70-) wheel is explored. Not only does the symmetry give rise to a non-closest packed structure, the mechanism of the wheel formation is proposed to depend on the delicate balance between reaction conditions. We achieve the resolution of gigantic polyoxopalladate species through electrophoresis and size-exclusion chromatography, the latter has been used in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry to probe the formation of the ring, which was found to proceed by the stepwise aggregation of {Pd6}(-) = [Pd6O4(CH3CO2)2(PO4)3Na(6-n)H(n)](-) building blocks. Furthermore, the higher-order assembly of these clusters into hollow blackberry structures of around 50 nm has been observed using dynamic and static light scattering.

Reaction of 9-hydroxyphenalenone 1 with triflic anhydride allows access to 9-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxyphenalenone 2. The reactivity of 2 is explored in the reactions with pyridine, iodide, and azide. Structural aspects of 4, including carbonyl–iodine interactions, are investigated by X-ray crystallography. Both 2 and 9-iodophenalenone 4 are expected to be valuable precursors in the synthesis of further 9-functionalised phenalenones.

10.1002/anie.201303126 Non-mixed-valent reduced polyoxometalates, namely {W18O56XO6} Dawson-like clusters (X=IVII or TeVI) with a localized redox active template have been synthesized and redox properties compared with the pure tungsten control (that is, X=WVI). Upon one-electron reduction, the electron localizes on the main-group element, giving IVI or TeV, respectively. These clusters have potential as a new type of electron-transfer reagent.

Two near isomeric clusters containing a novel {Mn(8)W(4)} Keggin cluster within a [W(36)Mn(10)Si(4)O(136)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)8](24-) cluster are reported: K(10)Li(14)[W(36)Si(4)O(136)Mn(II)(10)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(8)] (1) and K(10)Li1(3.5)Mn(0.25)[W(36)Si(4)O(136)Mn(II)(10)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(8) ] (1'). Bulk characterization of the clusters has been carried out by single crystal X-ray structure analysis, ICP-MS, TGA, ESI-MS, CV and SQUID-magnetometer analysis. X-ray analysis revealed that 1' has eight positions within the central Keggin core that were disordered W/Mn whereas 1 contained no such disorder. This subtle difference is due to a differences is how the two clusters assemble and recrystallize from the same mother liquor and represents a new type of isomerism. The rapid recrystallization process was captured via digital microscopy and this uncovered two "intermediate" types of crystal which formed temporarily and provided nucleation sites for the final clusters to assemble. The intermediates were investigated by single crystal X-ray analysis and revealed to be novel clusters K(4)Li(22)[W(36)Si(4)Mn(7)O(136)(H(2)O)(8)]·56H(2)O (2) and Mn(2)K(8)Li(14)[W(36)Si(4)Mn(7)O(136)(H(2)O)(8)]·45H(2)O (3). The intermediate clusters contained different yet related building blocks to the final clusters which allowed for the postulation of a mechanism of assembly. This demonstrates a rare example where the use X-ray crystallography directly facilitated understanding the means by which a POM assembled.

By using a new type of lacunary tungstoselenite {Se(2)W(29)O(103)} (1), which contains a "defect" pentagonal {W(W)(4)} unit, we explored the assembly of clusters using this building block and demonstrate how this unit can give rise to gigantic nanomolecular species, using both a "one-pot" and "stepwise" synthetic assembly approach. Specifically, exploration of the one-pot synthetic parameter space lead to the discovery of {Co(2.5)(W(3.5)O(14))(SeW(9)O(33))(Se(2)W(30)O(107))} (2), {CoWO(H(2)O)(3)(Se(2)W(26)O(85))(Se(3)W(30)O(107))(2)} (3), and {Ni(2)W(2)O(2)Cl(H(2)O)(3)(Se(2)W(29)O(103)) (Se(3)W(30)O(107))(2)} (4), effectively demonstrating the potential of the {Se(2)W(29)} based building blocks, which was further extended by the isolation of a range of 3d transition metal doped tetramer family derivatives: {M(2)W(n)O(m)(H(2)O)(m)(Se(2)W(29)O(102))(4)} (M = Mn, Co, Ni or Zn, n = 2, m = 4; M = Cu, n = 3, m = 5) (5-9). To contrast the 'one-pot' approach, an optimized stepwise self-assembly investigation utilizing 1 as a precursor was performed showing that the high nuclearity clusters can condense in a more controllable way allowing the tetrameric clusters (5-8) to be synthesized with higher yield, but it was also shown that 1 can be used to construct a gigantic {W(174)} hexameric-cluster {Cu(9)Cl(3)(H(2)O)(18)(Se(2)W(29)O(102))(6)} (10). Further, 1 can also dimerize to {(Se(2)W(30)O(105))(2)} (11) by addition of extra tungstate under similar conditions. All the clusters were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, chemical analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, which remarkably showed that all the clusters, even the largest cluster, 10 (∼50 kD), could be observed as the intact cluster demonstrating the extraordinary potential of this approach to construct robust gigantic nanoscale polyoxotungstates.

By using solubility control to crystallize the prenucleation clusters of hydrosol, a family of titanium-oxo clusters possessing the {Ti18O27} core in which the 18 Ti(IV)-ions are uniquely connected with μ-oxo ligands into a triple-decked pentagonal prism was obtained. The cluster cores are wrapped by external sulfate and aqua ligands, showing good solubilities and stabilities in a variety of solvents including acetonitrile and water and allowing their solution chemistry being studied by means of electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, (17)O NMR, and vibrational spectroscopy. Furthermore, this study provides new titanium oxide candidates for surface modifications and homogeneous photocatalysis.

We report the formation of two polyoxotungstates of the general formula [M6(PW6O26)(α-P2W15O56)2(H2O)2]23− (M = CoII or MnII), which contain {PW6} fragments generated from the [P2W15O56]12− precursor, which demonstrates for the first time the transformation of a Dawson lacunae into a Keggin lacunary building block. Solution analysis of the clusters has been conducted via electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry.

We report an approach to synthesize molecular tungsten-oxide-based pentagonal building blocks, in a new {W21 O72} unit, and show how this leads to a family of gigantic molecular architectures including [H12W48O164](28-) {W48}, [H20W56O190](24-) {W56}, and [H12W92O311](58-) {W92}. The {W48} and {W56} clusters are both dimeric species incorporating two {W21} units and the {W56} species is the first example of a molecular metal oxide cluster containing a chiral "double-stranded" motif which is stable in solution as confirmed by mass spectrometry. The {W92} anion having four {W21} units is one of the largest transition metal substituted isopolyoxotungstates known.

We describe how supramolecular assembly, mediated by control of the ratio of the hetero-atoms in the units [Mo2S2O2]2+ and SeO32− leads to the formation of new types of building blocks, [(Mo2O2S2)3(OH)4(H2O)6(SeO3)] = {Mo6} and [(Mo2O2S2)2(OH)2(H2O)4(SeO3)] = {Mo4} which are linked in an type of inorganic ‘panelling’ to the assembly of a range of new clusters 1–3 with the general formula {(Mo2O2S2)x(OH)y(SeO3)z(H2O)w}n−, where x, y, z, w, n = [8, 0, 20, 8, 24] for 1, [14, 14, 17, 8, 20] for 2 and [8, 8, 8, 0, 8] for 3. Cluster 1, a rare example of inorganic cryptand, exhibits an elliptical “endo” motif defining an anisotropic ellipse with the dimensions 1.7 × 1.0 nm, with pores ranging from 5.3 to 6.4 A and site selective cation recognition properties; cluster 2 exhibits an “exo” structural motif constructed by 3 × {Mo6} and 2 × {Mo4} panels spanning a cross shape 2.4 × 2.0 nm and cluster 3 a ring shaped structure of a 1.5 nm in diameter. The control of endo vs. exo topology as a function of the Se:Mo ratio is reflected to the difference in surface area of ca. 500 A2 between clusters 1 and 2 intermolecular interactions and proton conduction properties, and this work shows that very simple synthetic parameters can critically change the structure and properties of all-inorganic nanoscale chalcogenide–polyoxometalates.

The inorganic host-guest complex Na(22){[Mo(VI)(36)O(112)(H(2)O)(16)]⊂[Mo(VI)(130)Mo(V)(20)O(442)(OH)(10)(H(2)O)(61)]}·180H(2)O ≡ {Mo(36)}⊂{Mo(150)}, compound 1, has been isolated in its solid crystalline state via unconventional synthesis in a custom flow reactor. Carrying out the reaction under controlled flow conditions selected for the generation of {Mo(36)}⊂{Mo(150)} as the major product, allowing it to be reproducibly isolated in a moderate yield, as opposed to traditional "one-pot" batch syntheses that typically lead to crystallization of the {Mo(36)} and {Mo(150)} species separately. Structural and spectroscopic studies of compound 1 and the archetypal Molybdenum Blue (MB) wheel, {Mo(150)}, identified compound 1 as a likely intermediate in the {Mo(36)} templated synthesis of MB wheels. Further evidence illustrating the template effect of {Mo(36)} to MB wheel synthesis was indicated by an increase in the yield and rate of production of {Mo(150)} as a direct result of the addition of preformed {Mo(36)} to the reaction mixture. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were also used to corroborate the mechanism of formation of the MB wheels through observation of the individual cluster species in solution. DLS measurement of the reaction solutions from which {Mo(36)} and {Mo(150)} crystallized gave particle size distribution curves averaging 1.9 and 3.9 nm, consistent with the dimensions of the discrete clusters, which allowed the use of size as a possible distinguishing feature of these key species in the reduced acidified molybdate solutions and to observe the templation of the MB wheel by {Mo(36)} directly.

The one-pot syntheses of a series of dimeric and trimeric selenotungstates based on the [Se2W12O46](12-) unit are presented alongside the structure of the tetrameric [Se8W48O176](32-) wheel. Mass spectrometry has probed the stability of these clusters whilst their electronic structure has been contrasted to their known phosphotungstate analogues.

A novel sandwich-type silicotungstate motif, K18[MnII2{MnII(H2O)5MnIII3(H2O)(B-β-SiW9O34)(B-β-SiW6O26)}2]·20H2O 1, has been isolated from the reaction of K8[γ-SiW10O36]·12H2O and manganese ions in aqueous acidic media. The transition metal-substituted polyoxometalate (TMSP) 1 has been fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. This dimeric polyanion consists structurally of the sandwich polyanion {MnII(H2O)5MnIII3(H2O)(B-β-SiW9O34)(B-β-SiW6O26)}, dimerized via two manganese(II) linker ions. Each monomeric unit is composed of two non-equivalent Keggin fragments, (B-β-SiW8O31) and (B-β-SiW6O26), linked to each other via three manganese ions resulting in a truncated {Mn3O4} cubane core. Experimental, structural, and electrochemical aspects of the material are reported and discussed.

The complexation of copper(II) perchlorate with cis,trans-1,3,5-triamino-cyclohexane (transtachH) yields four related mononuclear complexes, [Cu(trans-tachH)2](ClO4)4・(H2O) (1), [Cu(transtachH) 2](ClO4)4・2MeOH (2), [Cu(trans-tachH)2(ClO4)](ClO4)3 (3) and [Cu(trans-tach)(transtachH)( ClO4)2](ClO4)・H2O (4). These complexes only differ with respect to ligand protonation, solvent coordination / content, and counterion binding, yet these small differences manifest as vast differences in the supramolecular structures, and we also show that certain crystalline phases of these four compounds persist for different lengths of time in the mother liquor.

The Dawson-like polyoxometalate clusters (TEAH)(6)[H(2)W(18)O(57)(SO(3))] (1) and (DMAH)(8)[W(18)O(56)(SO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (2) were synthesized under similar reaction conditions by employing triethanolammonium (TEAH(+)) and dimethylammonium (DMAH(+)) as cations, respectively. Crystallographic studies revealed that compound 1 has a compressed, peanut-like {W(18)} cage containing a single sufilte anion where each cage metal atom supports one terminal oxo-based ligand whereas compound 2 also has a {W(18)} cage, but four of the eighteen cage metal atoms support two terminal oxo-based ligands with two sulfite anions embedded in the cluster.

The {W-36} isopolyoxotungstate cluster provides a stable inorganic molecular platform for the binding of inorganic and organic guest molecules. This is achieved by a binding pocket formed by six terminal oxo ligands located in the central cavity of the all-inorganic cation binding host. Previously it was shown that the cluster can specifically bind primary amines and importantly, functionalized diamines through a combination of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Here we transform this assembly strategy to utilize the binding of long-chain alkyldiammonium guest cations to physical-ly define the supramolecular structure of the clusters with respect to each other and demonstrate the structure direction as a function of alkyl chain length. The systematic variation of the chain length gives access to five supramolecular assemblies which were all fully characterized using single crystal XRD, TGA, H-1 NMR, and elemental analysis. In compound 1, diprotonated 1,8-diaminooctane molecules link the {W-36} clusters into infinite 1D zigzag chains, whereas compounds 2 and 3 feature trimeric {W-36} assemblies directly connected through protonated 1,9-diaminononane (2) or 1,10-diaminodecane (3) linkers. Compound 4 contains dumb-bell shaped dimeric units as a result of direct center-tocenter linkages between the {W-36}) clusters formed by protonated 1,12-diaminododecane. In compound 5, triply protonated bis(hexamethylene)triamine was employed to obtain linear 1D chains of directly connected {W-36} cluster units .

The cryo game: Heteroatom-embedded nanofunctional clusters are described that incorporate a [Te(VI)O(6)](6-) species contained within a {W(18)O(54)} cage. Not only does the tellurium-based species activate the {W(18)O(54)} cluster surface for assembly of larger nanoscale structures, such as [H(10)Te(VI) (2)W(58)O(198)](26-), it also undergoes a redox transformation inside the cluster from [Te(VI)O(6)](6-) to [Te(IV)O(3)](2-).

Cyclopalladated complexes with a N,N-dimethylaminomethylferrocenyl (dmaf) backbone and three pyridine co-ligands, [Pd{(η5-C5H5)Fe[(η5-C5H3)CH2NMe2]}Cl(R-Py)] (2: R = 4-H; 3: R = 4-cyano; 4: 4-N,N-dimethylamino) have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that the palladium(II) in both 3 or 4 is coordinated in a distorted square planar geometry with the two nitrogen atoms trans to each other. The three palladacyles were shown to greatly catalyze the methanolysis of the P S containing pesticide parathion but showed different accelerations. It was found that the replacement of phenyl by ferrocenyl in the palladacycle backbone of 2 lowers the kinetic pKa s s of the Pd-(HOCH3) required for activity by almost 2 units.

The compositional parameter space in the formation of polynuclear clusters is probed in the synthesis of a series of dodecanuclear coordination clusters of Ni(II) and Co(II) with isostructural D(3h)-symmetric frameworks. At the core of their construction are a carbonate template and the directing ligands cis,trans-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane and acetate at contrasting pH values. The pH and stoichiometric dependence has been mapped, and analysis by electrospray mass spectrometry reveals the cluster cores in solution. In two specific cases, site-specific occupations are eluded to by analysis of the magnetic properties, and we discuss the possibility of controlling the molecular composition of mixed metal polynuclear clusters.

Two cyclic cobalt-substituted heteropolyoxometalates K15Li5[Co10(H2O)34(P8W48O184)]·54H2O (1) and K8Li12[Co10(H2O)44(P8W48O184)]·60H2O (2) have been synthesised from the reaction of Co(II) ions and the superlacunary {P8W48} polyanion in mildly acidic aqueous media. The cluster's anion cavities are filled with Co(II) and K cations and careful manipulation of reaction conditions determines the formation of distinct Co-linked frameworks.

A set of four hybrid host-guest complexes based on the inorganic crown ether analogue [H12W36O120]12- ({W36}) have been isolated and characterised. The cluster anion features a central rigid binding site made up of six terminal oxygen ligands and this motif allows the selective binding of a range of alkali and alkali-earth-metal cations. Here, the binding site was utilised to functionalise the metal oxide-based cavity by complexing a range of protonated primary amines within the recognition site. As a result, a set of four hybrid organic-inorganic host-guest complexes were obtained whereby the interactions are highly directed specifically within this cavity. The guest cations in these molecular assemblies range from the aromatic 2-phenethylamine (1) and 4-phenylbutylamine (2) to the bifunctional aromatic p-xylylene diamine (3) and the aliphatic, bifunctional 1,6-diaminohexane (4). Compounds 1-4 were structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, FTIR and bond valence sum calculations. This comparative study focuses on the supramolecular effects of the amine guest cations and investigates their structure-directing effects on the framework arrangement arising by locking the protonated amines within the cavity of the {W36} cluster. It was shown that parts of the organic guest cation protrude from the central binding cavity and the nature of this protruding organic "tail" directs the solid-state arrangement of compounds 1-4. Guest cations with a hydrophobic phenyl tail result in an antiparallel assembly of {W36} complexes arranged in a series of pillared layers. As a consequence, no direct supramolecular interactions between {W36} clusters are observed. In contrast, bifunctional guest cations with a secondary amino binding site act as molecular connectors and directly link two cluster units thus locking the supramolecular assembly in a tilted arrangement. This direct linking of {W36} anions results in the formation of an infinite supramolecular scaffold.

Last night of the POMs: The title compound (X=GeIV) exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization and quantum tunneling with a single-molecule magnetic behavior. Significant structural differences in the [MnIII4MnII2O4(H2O)4]8+ cluster core of the X=SiIV analogue modify the magnetic properties, thereby illustrating how polyoxometalate (POM) ligands can help in the systematic construction of nanoscale magnets.

The synthesis, isolation, and structural characterization of the fully oxidized sulfite-based polyoxotungstate cluster (Pr4N)4{α-[W18O54(SO3)2]}·2CH3CN and the one-electron reduced form (Pr4N)5{α-[W18O54(SO3)2]}·2CH3CN has been achieved. α-[W18O54(SO3)2]5- was obtained as a Pr4N+ salt by reducing the “Trojan Horse” [W18O56(SO3)2(H2O)2]8- cluster via a template orientation transformation. Acetonitrile solutions of pure α-[W18O54(SO3)2]5- also were prepared electrochemically by one-electron bulk reductive electrolysis of α-[W18O54(SO3)2]4-. Cyclic voltammetry of α-[W18O54(SO3)2]4- and α-[W18O54(SO3)2]5- in CH3CN (0.1 M Hx4NClO4) produces evidence for an extensive series of reversible one-electron redox processes, that are associated with the tungsten−oxo framework of the polyoxometalate cluster. Hydrodynamic voltammograms in CH3CN exhibit the expected sign and magnitude of the steady-state limiting current values for the α-[W18O54(SO3)2]4-/5-/6- series and confirm the existence of a stable one-electron redu...

Control, but not a freak: A series of dodecanuclear coordination clusters of NiII and CoII with isostructural frameworks is prepared with unparalleled structural and compositional control. At different pH values, the respective clusters can be detected in solution by cryospray mass spectrometry. The positions of the metal centers in the mixed-metal clusters are determined from the magnetic properties.

Stable phenalenyl radicals have great potential as the basis for new materials for applications in the field of molecular electronics. In particular, electronically stabilized phenalenyl species that do not require steric shielding are molecules of fundamental interest, but are notoriously difficult to synthesize. Herein, the synthesis and characterization of two phenalenyl-type cations is reported: planar benzo[i]naphtho[2,1,8-mna]xanthenium (8(+)) and helical benzo[a]naphtho[8,1,2-jkl]xanthenium (9(+)), which can be reduced to the corresponding radicals. Radical 9 represents the first stable, helical phenalenyl radical which does not rely on bulky substituents to ensure its stability. Both cations are water-soluble, and the radicals are stable for weeks at room temperature under air. These compounds were characterized crystallographically, and also by NMR, EPR, electrochemistry, and electronic spectra. The synthesis of the previously reported compound benzo[5,6]naphthaceno[1,12,11,10-jklmna]xanthylium (5(+)), the largest oxygen-containing polycyclic hydrocarbon, was undertaken for comparison with 8(+) and 9(+), allowing us to report its crystal structure here for the first time. The different properties of these compounds and their radicals are explained by considering their differing aromaticities using in-depth computational methods.

We report the formation of two polyoxotungstates of the general formula [M6(PW6O26)(α-P2W15O56)2(H2O)2](23-) (M = Co(II) or Mn(II)), which contain {PW6} fragments generated from the [P2W15O56](12-) precursor, which demonstrates for the first time the transformation of a Dawson lacunae into a Keggin lacunary building block. Solution analysis of the clusters has been conducted via electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry.

The coordination chemistry of the tetradentate pyridyl N-donor ligand cis-3,5-bis-[2-pyridinyleneamin]-trans-hydroxycyclohexane (DDOP) has been investigated with zinc(II) nitrate and triflate. The resulting complexes, [Zn(DDOP)(H2O)(NO3)](NO3) (1), and [Zn(DDOP)(H2O)(OTf)](OTf) (2) differ not only in their counterions, but also the arrangement of the axial ligands and their solid state hydrogen bonded networks. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to assess the difference in binding properties exhibited by the two zinc complexes at physiological pH in an aqueous environment. A series of coordinating amino acids were found to preferentially bind to the mononuclear zinc triflate (1) complex over the corresponding nitrate (2) assembly, with histidine exhibiting a two centre binding mode.

The synthesis of four new oxo-centered Fe clusters (1 a-c, 2) of the form [Fe(III)3(mu3-O)(CH2=CHCOO)6] with acrylate as the bridging ligand gives rise to potentially intrinsically chiral oxo-centered {M3} trimers that show a tendency to spontaneously resolve upon crystallization. For instance, 1 a, [Fe(III)3(mu3-O)(CH2=CHCOO)6-(H2O)3]+, crystallizes in the chiral space group P3(1) as a chloride salt. Crystallization of 1 b, [Fe3(mu3-O)(C2H3CO2)6(H2O)3]NO3 x 4.5 H2O, from aqueous solution followed by recrystallization from acetonitrile also gives rise to spontaneous resolution to yield the homochiral salt [Fe3(mu3-O)(C2H3CO2)6-(H2O)3]NO3 x CH3CN of 1 c (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)). Furthermore, the reaction of 1 a with hexamolybdate in acetonitrile gives the helical coordination polymer {[(Fe3(mu3-O)L6(H2O))(MoO4)-(Fe3(mu3-O)L6(H2O)2)] x 2 CH3CN x H2O}infinity 2 (L: H2C=CHCOO), which crystallizes in the space group P2(1). The nature of the ligand geometry allows the formation of atropisomers in both the discrete (1 a-c) and linked {Fe3} clusters (2), which is described along with a magnetic analysis of 1 a and 2.

Complexation of NiII acetate with cis,trans-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (trans-tach) in the presence of acetic acid leads to the construction of an infinite one-dimensional nickel chain {[Ni2(trans-tachH)2(OAc)4(H2O)2](OAc)2·5H2O}n (1). The crystal structure of 1 shows the chains to be connected via hydrogen bonded interactions between the protonated trans-amine group of the trans-tach and the non-coordinated oxygen atom of the acetate group bound to the second nickel centre on the parallel chain. Magnetic studies show ferromagnetic interactions between adjacent NiII centres.

Two isopolyoxomolybdate {Mo36} cluster compounds are presented, where one incorporates two sodium ions into the {Mo36} cluster cavity and the other does not, showing different “sensitive coordination sites” to organic cation ligands TEAH+ (protonated triethanolamine) as identified by X-ray crystallography, and rationalized by DFT calculations. The compound (TEAH)6{Na2 [Mo36O112(H2O)14]}· 28H2O (1) crystallizes in the trinclinic space group P−1, a=15.8931(2) A, b=17.3089(2) A, c=18.1880(3) A, $$\alpha=101.210(1)$$ , $$\beta= 95.481(1)$$ , $$\gamma=116.585(1)^{\circ}$$ , V=4292.95(10) A3, D c=2.688 g cm−3. 16838 unique reflections and 1213 refined parameters were used in structure refinement. R1=0.032, R2=0.071. When sodium is eliminated from the reaction system, the new compound (TEAH)8[Mo36O112 (H2O)14]· 10 H2O (2) was also isolated and crystallographically characterized. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P−1, a=16.3351(3) A, b=16.5709(4) A, c=18.5803(5) A, $$\alpha=83.330(1)$$ , $$\beta=65.010(2)$$ , $$\gamma=85.107(2)^{\circ}$$ , V=4524.08(18) A3, D c=2.525 g cm−3. 17591 unique reflections and 1016 refined parameters were used in structure refinement. R1=0.044, R2=0.128.

The synthesis and characterization of the isolated, infinite tubular coordination polymers {[Ag(cis-tach)]ClO4}1 (1), {[Ag(transtach)]ClO4}1 (2) and {[Ag(cis-tach)]BF4}1 (3) has been achieved with the isomers cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane and cis,trans1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane. Each new material has been fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, IR and elemental analysis. Compounds 1–3 form definite channels by the trigonal planar coordination of silver(I) metal centres to rigid, aliphatic triamino ligands, forming 4 2 � 6 topological networks.