3D extended polyoxoniobates/tantalates solid structure: Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties

Hexameric polyoxotantalate with proton conduction properties

The first Fe-implanted polyoxotantalate (POTa), K12Na14H7.4[Fe10.7Ta1.3O8(OH)8(H2O)2(Ta6O19)6]·114.5H2O (1), has been obtained by self-assembly in alkaline solution. The polyanion consists of six Lindqvist-type {Ta6} units linked together by {Fe10.7Ta1.3}. The compound not only possesses the highest nuclearity transition metal-oxygen cluster, but also has the highest degree of polymerization in the POTa field to date. And 1 possesses remarkable proton conduction.

Three rare-earth incorporating 6-peroxotantalo-4-selenates and catalytic activities for imidation reaction

Functionalization with belt lanthanide groups allows for the crystallization and structural characterization of homometallic selenotantalates, CsK[Ln(H2O)6Se4(TaO2)6(OH)3O18]·nH2O (Ln = Eu/Gd, n = 14 (STD-Eu, STD-Gd) and Ln = Lu, n = 12 (STD-Lu)). The basket-shaped {Se4(TaO2)6} archetype is assembled in a simple one-pot reaction of Na2SeO3 and K8[Ta6O19]·17H2O in acidic aqueous medium (pH 2) and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This unit has been proven to be an effective precursor for the preparation of a range of new POMs containing the {Se4(TaO2)6} unit. The lanthanide derivatives STD-Eu, STD-Gd and STD-Lu have been fully characterized with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, TG analysis and PXRD in the solid state. The photoluminescence and lifetime decay behaviours of STD-Eu have been studied at room temperature, and the photoluminescence spectrum displays the characteristic emission of the Eu3+ cation. In addition, the catalytic activities of STD-Eu, STD-Gd and STD-Lu on the reaction of phthalic anhydride with phenylamines have been investigated. STD-Eu shows good catalytic activities for imidation reactions.

Successive protonation of Lindqvist Hexaniobate, [Nb6O19]8-: electronic properties and structural distortions

Lindqvist Hexaniobate, [Nb6O19]8-, is an intriguing type of polyoxoniobate presenting a significant negative charge, high symmetry, robust structure and applications in photocatalysis. In this work, the [Nb6O19]8- polyanion was submitted...

Discovery of the selenotantalate building block and its lanthanide derivatives: design, synthesis, and RhB decolorization properties

Herein we present the first Se/Ta polyoxometalate and its lanthanide derivatives with good photocatalytic activity for the decolorization of RhB.

New pronounced progress in the synthesis of group 5 polyoxometalates

This highlight summarizes new developments made in group 5 polyoxometalate science of high nuclearity clusters with focus on synthetic approaches.

Inorganic–organic hybrid high-dimensional polyoxotantalates and their structural transformations triggered by water

In this work, novel dimeric polyoxotantalate (POTa) clusters {Cu(en)(Ta₆O₁₉)}₂/{Cu(enMe)(Ta₆O₁₉)}₂ were introduced as SBUs to construct a new family of extended POTa materials, including the first two 3D POTa frameworks and two 2D POTa layers.

Toward Exploiting the Behavior of Niobium-Containing Mesoporous Silicates vs. Polyoxometalates in Catalysis

Classification of polyoxometalates (POMs) is based on their chemical composition, basically represented by two general formulae: a) [MmOy]p- b) [XxMmOy]q-, where M is the main transition metal, O is the oxygen atom and X can be a non-metal atom such as Si. Additionally, in the most cases, the structure of the polyoxometalates is derived from a combination of octahedral units MO6 with a central metal atom M and the oxygen atoms placed at their corners. In such octahedra, oxygen atoms allow the condensation between two octahedral units, while one oxygen atom (or max. two atoms) makes double bond with the central metal atom and is not shared with other metal atoms within the complex (terminal oxygens). On the other hand, niobium-containing mesoporous silicates contain mainly MO4 tetrahedra and reveal superior activity in heterogeneous catalysis. Thus, the proper coordination of niobium is crucial for the catalytic activity and will be deeply discussed. The similarity in the catalytic behavior of niobium-polyoxometalates and heterogeneous niobium single-site catalysts in selective oxidations will be demonstrated.

A novel Ta/W mixed-addendum polyoxometalate with photocatalytic properties

An unprecedented polytantalotungstate (POTT), Cs_12.5K_4.5H[Ta₁₂Si₄W₃₇O₁₅₈]·25H₂O (1), based on the {SiW₉Ta₃O₄₀}^7- cluster was hydrothermally synthesized. A photocatalytic study revealed that 1 exhibits significant photocatalytic water splitting activity.

A new 3D POMOF with two channels consisting of Wells–Dawson arsenotungstate and {Cl4Cu10(pz)11} complexes: synthesis, crystal structure, and properties

A new 3D POMOF based on Wells–Dawson arsenotungstate was prepared using a hydrothermal reaction. The POMOF exhibits a novel topological structure, photoluminescence properties, and excellent photocatalytic activity.

Biomolecule-mediated hydrothermal synthesis of polyoxoniobate-CdS nanohybrids with enhanced photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production and RhB degradation

Using a biomolecule of l-cystine as the sulfur source and coordinating agent, polyoxoniobate-CdS nanohybrids were successfully synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The adsorption of ammonium group (-NH₂) in l-cystine molecular structure on the surface of CdS renders the amine-anchored CdS positively charged, which readily combines with the negatively charged polyoxoniobate clusters in terms of the electrostatic interaction. The as-obtained polyoxoniobate-CdS nanohybrids exhibit much superior activity for H₂ evolution and RhB degradation under visible light as compared to the unhybridized CdS and polyoxoniobate. After co-loading Nb₆ and NiS as cocatalyst, the H₂-evolution activity of the nanohybrids is further increased up to 39 times as high as that of naked CdS, which can be attributed to an enhanced electron-transfer by adopting polyoxoniobate as electron-acceptor to retard the electron-hole recombination. The work may open an avenue for the green synthesis of cost-effective POMs-CdS nanohybrid photocatalysts for solar energy applications.

Discovery of Heteropolytantalate: Synthesis and Structure of Two 6-Peroxotantalo-4-phosphate Clusters

Polyoxometalates (POMs) of Nb and Ta are greatly different from those of Mo, W, and V that have been studied extensively and developed well. The latter can be formed simply by acidification of their aqueous monomeric oxoanions and has found application areas from catalysis to magnetism, materials science, medicine, and nanotechnology. Even now the polyoxoniobate (PONb) chemistry has accelerated dramatically over the last 15 years, and a vast expansion of available PONbs has been reported. However, after nearly 200 years of POM research, Ta-based POM chemistry is still at its infant stage and only dominated by the isopolyoxotantalate ions (Ta₆ and Ta₁₀) and transition-metal-capped Ta₆ species, along with two Ti-substituted polyoxotantalates [Ti₂Ta₈O₂₈]^8- and [Ti₁₂Ta₆O₄₄]^10- reported very recently. In this study, we discover two novel peroxotantalophosphate clusters [P₄(TaO₂)₆O₂₅]^12- (1) and [P₄(TaO₂)₆O₂₄]^10- (2) by incorporating phosphorus heteroatom into Ta-oxo framework, which represent the first two examples of heteropolytantalate. Interestingly, two P₂Ta₃ half-units are cis- and trans-condensed in 1 and 2, leading to "open" and "closed" configurations, respectively. These two chemically and structurally related clusters can be isolated in a controlled manner, and the yields are relatively high. Both compounds were characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ³¹P MAS NMR, FT-IR, TGA, and elemental analysis as well as by ³¹P NMR in solution. The results presented here provide a strategy to be applicable to other heteroatom-incorporated polyoxotantalates and further expand the phase space for polyoxotantalate chemistry.

Lanthanide derivatives of Ta/W mixed-addendum POMs as proton-conducting materials

Four lanthanide derivatives were isolated by the self-assembly of {P₂W₁₅Ta₃O₆₂} and lanthanide ions, which showed good proton conduction performance.

Titanium-Substituted Polyoxotantalate Clusters Exhibiting Wide pH Stabilities: [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10.)

Two new substituted polyoxotantalate clusters, [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) , considerably expand the pH range where tantalates persist in aqueous solution. The structures of [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) are reported as tetramethylammonium salts after synthesis at hydrothermal conditions in aqueous solution. These Ti-substituted polyoxotantalate clusters have analogues among recently discovered niobates, but are slightly larger and more persistent in solution. Most importantly, they exhibit a much wider range of pH stability than the familiar hexatantalate cluster, which is the only other tantalate known to be stable at highly basic pH conditions. These molecules are kinetically stable to near-neutral pH, making them excellent synthons for further development into materials and catalysts, and an significant advance in adapting tantalates for use in aqueous solutions.

Application of group V polyoxometalate as an efficient base catalyst: a case study of decaniobate clusters

We demonstrated for the first time that [Nb₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ exhibited base catalytic activity for aldol-type condensation reactions including Knoevenagel and Claisen–Schmidt condensation reactions.