Structure of double Keggin-Ti/W-mixed polyanion [(A-β-GeTi3W9O37)2O3]14− and multielectron-transfer-based photocatalyic H2-generation

Structural Chemistry of Titanium (IV) Oxo Clusters, Part 2: Clusters without Carboxylate or Phosphonate Ligands

Homometallic titanium oxo clusters (TOC) are one of the most important groups of metal oxo clusters. In a previous article, TOC structures with carboxylato and phosphonato ligands were reviewed and categorized. This work is now extended to clusters with other ligands. Comparison of the different cluster types shows how the interplay between condensation of the titanium polyhedra by means of bridging oxygen atoms and the coordination characteristics of the ligands influences the cluster structures and allows working out basic construction principles of the cluster core.

Germanium-based polyoxometalates for the adsorption-decomposition of NOx

A series of germanium-based Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs), including H₄GeW₁₂O₄₀ (HGeW), H₅GeW₁₁VO₄₀ (HGeWV), H₅GeMo₁₁VO₄₀ (HGeMoV) and H₅GeW₉Mo₂VO₄₀ HGeWMoV), were first synthesized and utilized as catalysts for removal of NOx. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and temperature-programmed desorption-mass spectroscopy (TPD-MS) characterizations were carried out to investigate the adsorption-desorption behavior and decomposition mechanism of NOx. The adsorption experiments revealed that HGeW had the highest NOx adsorption capacity up to 16.2 mg NOx per gram catalyst. Two infrared characteristic bands appeared at 2210 and 1851 cm^-1 after NOx adsorption, while the latter firstly discovered over NOx-absorbed POMs could be assigned to nitrosyl radical (NO·). The regeneration of HGeW could be realized via reducing the temperature in wet atmosphere to desorb NOx. TPD-MS was conducted to investigate the decomposition behavior of NOx over HGeW and tungstophosphoric acid (HPW). O₂ was firstly detected among the decomposition products, besides N₂ and N₂O. According to conservation calculation based on N mass, NOx removal rate of 81.5 % and N₂ selectivity of 68.3 % could be achieved for HGeW. While the NOx conversion rate and N₂ selectivity for HPW reached 54.1 % and 53.4 %, respectively.

Highly Efficient Electron Transfer in a Carbon Dot-Polyoxometalate Nanohybrid

Using solar radiation to fuel catalytic processes is often regarded as the solution to our energy needs. However, developing effective photocatalysts that are active under visible light has proven to be difficult, often due to the toxicity, instability, and high cost of suitable catalysts. We engineered a novel photoactive nanomaterial obtained by the spontaneous electrostatic coupling of carbon nanodots with [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]^6-, a molecular catalyst belonging to the class of polyoxometalates. While the former are used as photosensitizers, the latter was chosen for its ability to catalyze reductive reactions such as dye decomposition and water splitting. We find the electron transfer within the nanohybrid to be so efficient that a charge-separated state is formed within 120 fs from photon absorption. These results are a cornerstone in the engineering of a new class of nanodevices, which are nontoxic, are inexpensive, and can carry out solar-driven catalytic processes.

Enhancing Hydrogen Generation Through Nanoconfinement of Sensitizers and Catalysts in a Homogeneous Supramolecular Organic Framework

Enrichment of molecular photosensitizers and catalysts in a confined nanospace is conducive for photocatalytic reactions due to improved photoexcited electron transfer from photosensitizers to catalysts. Herein, the self-assembly of a highly stable 3D supramolecular organic framework from a rigid bipyridine-derived tetrahedral monomer and cucurbit[8]uril in water, and its efficient and simultaneous intake of both [Ru(bpy)₃ ]²⁺ -based photosensitizers and various polyoxometalates, that can take place at very low loading, are reported. The enrichment substantially increases the apparent concentration of both photosensitizer and catalyst in the interior of the framework, which leads to a recyclable, homogeneous, visible light-driven photocatalytic system with 110-fold increase of the turnover number for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Synthesis and photoelectric properties of new Dawson-type polyoxometalate-based dimeric and oligomeric Pt(ii)-acetylide inorganic–organic hybrids

New polyoxometalate-based Pt(ii)-acetylide hybrids were prepared and their photoelectric properties as hybrid LB films were studied.

Polyoxometalates active against tumors, viruses, and bacteria

Polyoxometalates (PMs) as discrete metal-oxide cluster anions with high solubility in water and photochemically and electrochemically active property have a wide variety of structures not only in molecular size from sub-nano to sub-micrometers with a various combination of metals but also in symmetry and highly negative charge. One of the reasons for such a structural variety originates from their conformation change (due to the condensed aggregation and the structural assembly) which strongly depends on environmental parameters such as solution pH, concentration, and coexistent foreign inorganic and/or organic substances. In the course of the application of the physicochemical properties of such PMs to the medical fields, antitumoral, antiviral, and antibacterial activities have been developed for realization of a novel inorganic medicine which provides a biologically excellent activity never replaced by other approved medicines. Several PMs as a candidate for clinical uses have been licensed toward the chemotherapy of solid tumors (such as human gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer), DNA and RNA viruses (such as HSV, HIV, influenza, and SARS), and drug-resistant bacteria (such as MRSA and VRSA) in recent years: [NH3Pr(i)]6[Mo7O24]∙3H2O (PM-8) and [Me3NH]6[H2Mo(V) 12O28(OH)12(Mo(VI)O3)4]∙2H2O (PM-17) for solid tumors; K7[PTi2W10O40]∙6H2O (PM-19), [Pr(i)NH3]6H[PTi2W10O38(O2)2]∙H2O (PM-523), and K11H[(VO)3(SbW9O33)2]∙27H2O (PM-1002) for viruses; and K6[P2W18O62]∙14H2O (PM-27), K4[SiMo12O40]∙3H2O (SiMo12), and PM-19 for MRSA and VRSA. The results are discussed from a point of view of the chemotherapeutic clarification in this review.

Charge Photo-Accumulation and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Under Visible Light at an Iridium(III)-Photosensitized Polyoxotungstate

Steady-state irradiation under visible light of a covalent Ir(III)-photosensitized polyoxotungstate is reported. In the presence of a sacrificial electron donor, the photolysis leads to the very efficient photoreduction of the polyoxometalate. Successive formation of the one-electron and two-electron reduced species, which are unambiguously identified by comparison with spectroelectrochemical measurements, is observed with a significantly faster rate reaction for the formation of the one-electron reduced species. The kinetics of the photoreduction, which are correlated to the reduction potentials of the polyoxometalate (POM), can be finely tuned by the presence of an acid. Indeed light-driven formation of the two-electron reduced POM is considerably facilitated in the presence of acetic acid. The system is also able to perform photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light without significant loss of performance over more than 1 week of continuous photolysis and displays higher photocatalytic efficiency than the related multi-component system, outlining the decisive effect of the covalent bonding between the POM and the photosensitizer. This functional and modular system constitutes a promising step for the development of charge photoaccumulation devices and subsequent photoelectrocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis.

Functionalization and post-functionalization: a step towards polyoxometalate-based materials

Polyoxometalates (POMs) have remarkable properties and a great deal of potential to meet contemporary societal demands regarding health, environment, energy and information technologies. However, implementation of POMs in various functional architectures, devices or materials requires a processing step. Most developments have considered the exchange of POM counterions in an electrostatically driven approach: immobilization of POMs on electrodes and other surfaces including oxides, embedding in polymers, incorporation into Layer-by-Layer assemblies or Langmuir-Blodgett films and hierarchical self-assembly of surfactant-encapsulated POMs have thus been thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, the field of organic-inorganic POM hybrids has expanded and offers the opportunity to explore the covalent approach for the organization or immobilization of POMs. In this critical review, we focus on the use of POM hybrids in selected fields of applications such as catalysis, energy conversion and molecular nanosciences and we endeavor to discuss the impact of the covalent approach compared to the electrostatic one. The synthesis of organic-inorganic POM hybrids starting from bare POMs, that is the direct functionalization of POMs, is well documented and reliable and efficient synthetic procedures are available. However, as the complexity of the targeted functional system increases a multi-step strategy relying on the post-functionalization of preformed hybrid POM platforms could prove more appealing. In the second part of this review, we thus survey the synthetic methodologies of post-functionalization of POMs and critically discuss the opportunities it offers compared to direct functionalization.

Transformation of Tri-Titanium(IV)-Substituted α-Keggin Polyoxometalate (POM) into Tetra-Titanium(IV)-Substituted POMs : Reaction Products of Titanium(IV) Sulfate with the Dimeric Keggin POM Precursor under Acidic Conditions

Reaction products of titanium(IV) sulfate in HCl-acidic aqueous solution with the dimeric species linked through three intermolecular Ti-O-Ti bonds of the two tri-titanium(IV)-substituted α-Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) subunits are described. Two novel titanium(IV)-containing α-Keggin POMs were obtained under different conditions. One product was a dimeric species through two intermolecular Ti-O-Ti bonds of the two tetra-titanium(IV)-substituted α-Keggin POM subunits, i.e., [[{Ti(H₂O)₃}₂(μ-O)](α-PW₉Ti₂O₃₈)]₂^6- (1). The other product was a monomeric α-Keggin species containing the tetra-titanium(IV) oxide cluster and two coordinated sulfate ions, i.e., [{Ti₄(μ-O)₃(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₈}(α-PW₉O₃₄)]^3- (2). Molecular structures of 1 and 2 were also discussed based on host (lacunary site)-guest (titanium atom) chemistry.

Straightforward synthesis of new polyoxometalate-based hybrids exemplified by the covalent bonding of a polypyridyl ligand

A new polyoxometalate-based organic-inorganic platform has been designed for further facile derivatization and covalent attachment of organic linkers; this is exemplified by the grafting of a polypyridyl ligand.

Polyoxometalates as effective inhibitors for sialyl- and sulfotransferases

Sialylated and/or sulfated carbohydrate chains in glycoproteins and glycolipids play important roles in infection by microorganisms and diseases including cancer. Inhibitors of sialyl/sulfotransferases, responsible for the biosynthesis of these carbohydrate chains, could be medical agents against such infections and diseases. Polyoxometalates (PMs) are inorganic polyanionic molecules that have been shown to exhibit activity against tumors and infectious microorganisms; however, the effects of PMs on carbohydrate biosynthesis have never been investigated. Here, we found that some types of PMs can inhibit the enzymatic activities of specific sialyl/sulfotransferases. Several tungstate-type PMs inhibited Gal: alpha2,3-sialyltransferase-I (ST3Gal-I) activity at sub-nanomolar levels. The half-inhibitory concentration of the best inhibitors was 0.2 nM and the inhibition was non-competitive for both donor and acceptor substrates (Ki values approximately 0.5 nM). By certain vanadate-type PMs, ST3Gal-I and Gal 3-O-sulfotransferase-2 (Gal3ST-2) were specifically inhibited at nanomolar levels. The inhibitory effect of a tungstate-type PM on ST3Gal-I was reversible and electrostatic. A ST3Gal-I mutant protein which was converted (335)Arg residue in the C-terminal region to Glu, was rather insensitive to the PM, suggesting that specific C-terminal basic amino acid of ST3Gal-I is involved in the binding to PMs. Collectively, PMs are novel inhibitors of specific sialyl/sulfotransferases.