“Wheeling Templates” in Molecular Oxothiomolybdate Rings: Syntheses, Structures, and Dynamics

A Novel Series of Vanadium-Sulfite Polyoxometalates: Synthesis, Structural, and Physical Studies

Reaction of NH4VO3 with sulfur dioxide affords the hexanuclear cluster (NH4)2(Et4N)[(V(IV)O)6(mu4-O)2(mu3-OH)2(mu3-SO3)4(H2O)2]Cl x H2O (1), and the decapentanuclear host-guest compound (Et4N)5{Cl subset [(VO)15(mu3-O)18(mu-O)3]} x 3 H2O (2). Sequential addition of magnesium oxide to an acidic aqueous solution of NH4VO3 (pH approximately 0) followed by (NH4)2SO3 resulted in the formation of either the non-oxo polymeric vanadium(IV) compound trans-(NH4)2[V(IV)(OH)2(mu-SO3)2] (3) or the polymeric oxovanadium(IV) sulfite (NH4)[V(IV)O(SO3)1.5(H2O)] x 2.5 H2O (4) at pH values of 6 and 4, respectively. The decameric vanadium(V) compound {Na4(mu-H2O)8(H2O)6}[Mg(H2O)6][V(V)10(O)8(mu6-O)2(mu3-O)14] x 3 H2O (5) was synthesised by treating an acidic aqueous solution of NH4VO3 with MgO and addition of NaOH to pH approximately 6. All the compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The crystal structure of compound 1 revealed an unprecedented structural motif of a cubane unit [M4(mu4-O)2(mu3-OH)2] connected to two other metal atoms. Compound 3 comprises a rare example of a non-oxo vanadium(IV) species isolated from aqueous solution and in the presence of the reducing agent SO3(2-), while compound 4 represents a rare example of an open-framework species isolated at room temperature (20 degrees C). In addition to the synthesis and crystallographic studies, we report the IR and magnetic properties (for 1, 2 and 3) of these vanadium clusters as well as theoretical studies on compound 3.

Polyphosphate Ions Encapsulated in Oxothiomolybdate Rings: Synthesis, Structure, and Behavior in Solution

Cyclic oxothiomolybdates containing polyphosphate ions were prepared by simple reactions in aqueous medium of the corresponding polyphosphate ions and the cyclic precursor K(2)I(2)Mo(10)S(10)O(10)(OH)(10)(OH(2))(5).15H(2)O. K(5)[Cl(P(2)O(7)]Mo(12)S(12)O(12)(OH)(12)(H(2)O)(4)].22H(2)O (1) was isolated from concentrated chloride solution (2.5 mol.L(-1)). 1 reveals a remarkable complex containing two different substrates encapsulated in a dodecanuclear ring, a H-bonded Cl(-) ion, and a covalently bonded [P(2)O(7)] group. The chloride ion in 1 can be selectively removed for a monohydrogenophosphate group yielding K(6)[(HPO(4))(P(2)O(7))Mo(12)S(12)O(12)(OH)(12)(H(2)O)(2)].19H(2)O (2), a mixed species containing a [P(2)O(7)] and a [HPO(4)] group. The substitution is accompanied by a significant change of the ring, which adopts a "pear-shape" conformation. In the presence of triphosphate ion, the "heart-shaped" decanuclear ring Rb(3)[(H(2)P(3)O(10))Mo(10)S(10)O(10)(OH)(10)].17.5H(2)O (3) is formed containing a linear [P(3)O(10)] group intimately embedded in the inorganic cyclic host. The three compounds were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The behaviors of 1, 2, and 3 in solution were studied by (31)P NMR. Variable temperature experiments, supported by a two-dimensional COSY (31)P experiment, revealed that the supramolecular interaction existing between the chloride ion and the ring in solid 1 is maintained in solution. Nevertheless, 1 remains labile, and successive equilibria were evidenced and interpreted as an ion-pair association involving a halide ion (Cl, Br, or I), responsible for the conformational change of the [P(2)O(7)] group within the cavity. The influence of the nature of the halide guest (Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-)) on the successive equilibria was studied, and the thermodynamic constant related to the postulated equilibrium was determined. The stability of the supramolecular association decreases in the order Cl > Br > I. In solution, a phosphate exchange is observed for 2 while for 3 the absence of temperature dependence of the (31)P NMR spectrum confirms the conformation of the host-guest system is blocked. Elemental analysis and infrared characterizations are also supplied.

Modifying Electronic Communication in Dimolybdenum Units by Linkage Isomers of Bridged Oxamidate Dianions

Reactions of Mo(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(DAniF)(3), DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate, with oxamidate dianions [ArNC(O)C(O)NAr](2-), Ar = C(6)H(5) and p-anisyl, give pairs of isomeric compounds where the [Mo(2)] units are bridged by the oxamidate anions. For the alpha isomers, the C-C unit of the dianion is nearly perpendicular to the Mo-Mo bonds, and these are essentially perpendicular to each other. For the beta isomers, the corresponding C-C unit and the Mo-Mo bonds are essentially parallel to each other. Each type of isomer is stable in solution. The electronic communication as measured by the DeltaE(1/2) for the oxidation of each of the Mo(2) units is significantly better for the beta isomers. This is supported also by the appearance of what is conventionally called an intervalence charge-transfer band in the near infrared region upon oxidation of the beta isomers but not the alpha isomers. Molecular mechanics and DFT calculations help explain the relative conformations in the alpha isomers and the relative energy differences between the alpha and beta isomers.

Cyclic molecular materials based on [M2O2S2]2+ cores (M = Mo or W)

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how conventional precursors can serve, when used with a drop of imagination, to the synthesis of sophisticated inorganic rings and wheels. The self-condensation of the [M2O2S2]2+ fragments under acido-basic process produces, in the presence or absence of guest species, linear enchainment restricted to discrete cyclic entities. This approach was revealed to be a highly fruitful strategy for developing an extended family of compounds, differing in their nuclearity, size and shape, and the nature of the encapsulated guest molecule. Indeed, the resulting cycles delimit a cationic open cavity, which can be filled by neutral polar molecules such as aquo ligands or anionic molecules such as phosphates, polycarboxylates and even metalates. The flexibility of the rings is at the origin of interesting host-guest properties: the deformation (symmetry) and the adaptation (nuclearity) of the inorganic cycle are directly related to the size and the coordination requirements of the encapsulated substrate. The versatility of the metal coordination, octahedral or square pyramidal, confers dynamic properties to the ring. In the solid state, molecular rings assemble in striking 3-D networks based on direct cation-anion connections. Alkali cations are arranged in pillars or layers for anchoring the anionic rings.

Synthesis, X-ray and neutron diffraction characterization, and ionic conduction properties of a new oxothiomolybdate Li3[Mo8S8O8(OH)8[HWO5(H2O)]] x 18H2O

The new oxothiomolybdate anion [Mo8S8O8(OH)8[HWO5(H2O)]]3- (denoted HMo8W3-) has been synthesized in aqueous solution by an acido-basic condensation reaction. Four (Mo(V)2S2O2) building blocks are connected through hydroxo bridges around a central [W(VI)O6] octahedron. X-ray and neutron diffraction studies have been performed on single crystals of the lithium salt Li3[Mo8S8O8(OH)8[HWO5(H2O)]] x 18H2O (Li3HMo8W x 18H2O) in an aqueous grown from HMo8W3- solution of LiCl (1 M). The neutron diffraction experiment enabled us to locate both the protons and the lithium ions. In the structure of Li3HMo8W x 18H20, ring-shaped anions interleaved by a cluster of disordered hydrogen-bonded water molecules stack on top of each other along lithium pillars. The lithium columns are formed by alternating edge-sharing octahedra and tetrahedra, with one lithium site in four being totally vacant. Ionic conductivity measurements on pressed pellets have shown that Li3HMo8W x 18H2O is a good ionic conductor at room temperature (sigma = 10(-5) S cm(-1)), but the ionic conductivity on single crystals is smaller by two orders of magnitude and is isotropic; this suggests the main path of conduction involves surface protons rather than lithium ions of the bulk.