Four-Shell Polyoxometalates Featuring High-Nuclearity Ln26 Clusters: Structural Transformations of Nanoclusters into Frameworks Triggered by Transition-Metal Ions

Trigonal Prismatic Coordination of Discrete Rare Earth Ions, Enforced by the Polyoxotungstate [P4 W27 O99 (H2 O)]16

A family of solution-stable polyanions [Na⊂{LnIII (H2 O)}{WVI O(H2 O)}PV 4 WVI 26 O98 ]12- (Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) represent the first examples of polyoxometalates comprising a single lanthanide(III) or yttrium(III) ion in a rare trigonal prismatic O6 environment. Their synthesis exploits the reactivity of the organophosphonate-functionalized precursor [P4 W24 O92 (C6 H5 PV O)2 ]16- with heterometal ions and yields hydrated potassium or mixed lithium/potassium salts of composition Kx Lny H12-x-y [Na⊂{Ln(H2 O)}{WO(H2 O)}P4 W26 O98 ]⋅nH2 O⋅mLiCl (x=8.5-11; y=0-2; n=24-34; m=0-1.5). The Dy, Ho, Er and Yb derivatives are characterized by slow magnetization relaxation.

An Unprecedented Bird Nest Molybdenum(V) Cobalto-Phosphate Nanosized Wheel Constructed from the [H55 (Mo24 O48 )(Co4 O)2 Co16 (PO4 )42 (py)6 (EtOH)2 (H2 O)11 ]3- Anion

An unprecedented bird-nest high-nuclear molybdenum(V) cobalto-phosphate nanosized wheel modified by imidazole (im) and pyridine (py), {[H₅₅ (Mo₂₄ O₄₈ )(Co₄ O)₂ Co₁₆ (PO₄ )₄₂ (py)₆ (EtOH)₂ (H₂ O)₁₁ ]- @[(Him)₂ (Hpy)]}(N-Et-py)(H₂ PO₄ )(py)₇ (EtOH)⋅12 H₂ O (1), has been successfully synthesized by self-assembly. The anionic huge wheel consists of two rare {Co₄ O} squares, four {Co₄ } tetramers, four {Mo₄ } tetramers and four {Mo₂ } dimers, linked by bridging oxygen atoms and [PO₄ ] groups and encloses two imidazolium cations and a protonated pyridium for charge balance. Surprisingly, 1 represents the first twisted wheel-shaped cluster with a record high-nuclear molybdenum(V) cobalto-phosphate. The delocalized electron effects of the cluster are enhanced with the help of coordinated py ligands, which endows 1 with an excellent third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) response. Additionally, 1 also shows a better photocatalytic water oxidation activity than Co(NO₃ )₂ with the O₂ production of 205 μmol during 6 h in the absence of the [Ru(bpy)₃ ]²⁺ photosensitizer.

Core-Shell Structured Layered Lanthanide-Organic Complexes with Stilbazolium-type Dye Encapsulation for Multifunctional Performances

Host-guest encapsulation of functional organic dye into a porous metal-organic framework can give rise to the development of new functional materials. In this work, by intercalating the stilbazolium-type dye (DEAST)I (4'-diethylamino-N-methyl stilbazolium) into four lanthanide layered metal-organic complexes (Ln-LMOCs), i. e. {[Ln(BTB)(H₂ O)₂ ]⋅3(DMF)⋅2(H₂ O)}_n (Ln=La (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), Er (4)), four responsive (DEAST)I@Ln-LMOC composites have been prepared, serving as multifunctional performance platform. The core-shell structures of (DEAST)I@Ln-LMOC composites have been fully characterized by IR, UV/Vis, PXRD, SEM, TEM, TGA and ESR. Significantly, after intercalation of dyes, the (DEAST)I@Ln-LMOC composites exhibit enhanced luminescent sensing properties in detecting Fe³⁺ with much higher water stabilities. The luminescent sensing behavior stems from the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the π-electron-rich BTB ligands to the Fe³⁺ , and their higher water stabilities are induced by electrostatic interactions and lower porosity. Specially, the characteristic emissions of Sm³⁺ will not be affected after the encapsulation guest dyes, which provide a theoretical guide for the modulation of luminescence devices. Finally, better ion conductivities and diminished photocurrents can be achieved after the embedding of the functional organic dye. In all, the formation of (DEAST)I@Ln-LMOC composites with core-shell structures can be utilized as a multifunctional platform with good stability.

Incorporating polyoxometalates and organic ligands to pursue 3d–4f heterometallic clusters: a series of {Cr4Ln4} clusters stabilized by phthalic acid and [SiW12O40]4−

By introduction of trilacunary Keggin-type polyoxometalate to the hydrothermal reaction system of Cr³⁺, Ln³⁺ and phthalic acid, a series of novel {Cr₄Ln₄} heterometallic clusters with the formula Cs₂[Cr₄Ln₄(μ₄-O)₄(μ₃-O)₄(C₈H₄O₄)₄(H₂O)₁₂](H₃SiW₁₂O₄₀)Cl·23H₂O (1-Ln, Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd) and [Cr₄Ln₄(μ₄-O)₄(μ₃-O)₄(C₈H₄O₄)₄(H₂O)₁₀](H₆SiW₁₂O₄₀)Cl₂·18H₂O (2-Ln, Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) have been obtained. Single-crystal structural analyses show that 1-Ln and 2-Ln constitute the first cases of Cr–Ln heterometallic clusters stabilized by inorganic polyoxometalate anions and organic ligands. Optical spectra studies demonstrate that 1-Ln and 2-Ln are narrow-gap semiconductors with band gaps of about 1.5 eV. Magnetic investigation shows that compound 2-Dy is a potential single molecule magnet.

By introduction of trilacunary Keggin-type polyoxometalate to the hydrothermal reaction system of Cr³⁺, Ln³⁺ and phthalic acid, a series of novel {Cr₄Ln₄} heterometallic clusters have been obtained.

Digital Control of Multistep Hydrothermal Synthesis by Using 3D Printed Reactionware for the Synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Hydrothermal-synthesis-based reactions are normally single step owing to the difficulty of manipulating reaction mixtures at high temperatures and pressures. Herein we demonstrate a simple, cheap, and modular approach to the design reactors consisting of partitioned chambers, to achieve multi-step synthesis under hydrothermal conditions, in digitally defined reactionware produced by 3D printing. This approach increases the number of steps that can be performed sequentially and allows an increase in the options available for the control of hydrothermal reactions. The synthetic outcomes of the multi-stage reactions can be explored by varying reaction compositions, number of reagents, reaction steps, and reaction times, and these can be tagged to the digital blueprint. To demonstrate the potential of this approach a series of polyoxometalate (POM)-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) unavailable by "one-pot" methods were prepared as well as a set of new MOFs.

All-Inorganic Ionic Porous Material Based on Giant Spherical Polyoxometalates Containing Core-Shell K6 @K36 -Water Cage

This work demonstrates that the use of high-negative and high-symmetry lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs) for the clustering of alkali metal ions is a feasible strategy not only for the formation of rare high-nuclearity alkali-metal clusters but also for the construction of new-type all-inorganic ionic porous materials. By the strategy, an unprecedented high-nuclearity K-H₂ O cluster {K₄₂ (H₂ O)₆₀ } with core-shell K₆ @K₃₆ configuration is stabilized by 8 C_3v -symmetry trivacant POMs [GeW₉ O₃₄ ]^10- , forming a novel giant ionic alkali-metal-POM composite cluster {K₄₂ Ge₈ W₇₂ O₂₇₂ (H₂ O)₆₀ } with more than 100 metal centers. The incorporated 42-nuclearity K-H₂ O cluster {K₄₂ (H₂ O)₆₀ } exhibits the highest-nuclearity alkali-metal-water cluster known to date in POM chemistry. Further, the giant {K₄₂ Ge₈ W₇₂ O₂₇₂ (H₂ O)₆₀ } clusters can be linked by another kind of alkali metal ions Na⁺ to generate a fascinating three-dimensional all-inorganic ionic porous framework with high chemical stability, proton conductivity, and water vapor adsorption.

Ion-Exchangeable Microporous Polyoxometalate Compounds with Off-Center Dopants Exhibiting Unconventional Luminescence

The synthesis of luminescent polyoxometalates (POMs) typically relies on the assembly of POM ligands with rare earth or transition metals, placing significant constraints on the composition, structure, and hence the luminescence properties of the resultant systems. Herein, we show that the ion-exchange strategy can be used for the synthesis of novel POM-based luminescent materials. We demonstrate that introducing bismuth ions into an ion-exchangeable, microporous POM compound yields an unconventional system luminescing in the near-infrared region. Experimental characterization, coupled with quantum chemical calculations, confirms that bismuth ions site-specifically occupy an off-center site in the lattice, and have an asymmetric coordination geometry unattainable by other means, thus giving rise to peculiar emission. Our findings offer an effective strategy for the synthesis of POM-based luminescent materials, and the design concept may potentially be adapted to the creation of POM-based systems with other functionalities.

Multifunctional Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks with a Polyheterotopic Ligand: Doped with Ytterbium(III) for Luminescence Enhancement and Selective Dye Adsorption

The chemistry of metal-organic frameworks has been progressing fast with its exciting potential in multifunctional applications. A series of three-dimensional lanthanide-based metal-organic frameworks, {[Ln(HTPO)(NO3 )(H2 O)]⋅x(CH3 CN)⋅y(H2 O)}n (Ln=Eu (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), Sm (4), Dy (5), Nd (6)), {[Eu(TPO)(HCOO)0.5 ]⋅(H3 O)0.5 }n (7), {[Eu(TPO)(DMF)]⋅(solv)x }n (8; DMF= N,N-dimethylformamide), and {[Eu(TPO)(DMA)]⋅(solv)x }n (9; DMA=dimethylacetamide) were synthesized with semirigid C3 -symmetric ligand tris(4-carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide (H3 TPO). In these frameworks, the H3 TPO ligand exists in a totally different configuration. Framework 1 exhibits good breathing properties for absorbing more guest molecules through a solvent-induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) transformation involving a configuration transformation of the organic linker in the framework. The ytterbium ion was doped into 1 to improve the luminescent performance (lifetime and quantum yield) of the red europium emission. Among a series of Eu1-x Ybx TPO samples, Eu0.88 Yb0.12 TPO showed enhanced luminescence intensity (≈5.1 times that of the pure europium system), and the lifetime increased from 1073.08 to 1236.57 μs. Moreover, the porosity of these frameworks allows them to efficiently adsorb dye molecules with high selectivity and efficiency.

Aggregation of Giant Cerium-Bismuth Tungstate Clusters into a 3D Porous Framework with High Proton Conductivity

The exploration of high nuclearity molecular metal oxide clusters and their reactivity is a challenge for chemistry and materials science. Herein, we report an unprecedented giant molecular cerium-bismuth tungstate superstructure formed by self-assembly from simple metal oxide precursors in aqueous solution. The compound, {[W₁₄ Ce^IV₆ O₆₁ ]([W₃ Bi₆ Ce^III₃ (H₂ O)₃ O₁₄ ][B-α-BiW₉ O₃₃ ]₃ )₂ }^34- was identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and features 104 metal centers, a relative molar mass of ca. 24 000 and is ca. 3.0×2.0×1.7 nm³ in size. The cluster anion is assembled around a central {Ce₆ } octahedron which is stabilized by several molecular metal oxide shells. Six trilacunary Keggin anions ([B-α-BiW₉ O₃₃ ]^9- ) cap the superstructure and limit its growth. In the crystal lattice, water-filled channels with diameters of ca. 0.5 nm are observed, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows pronounced proton conductivity even at low temperature.