Charge-Transfer Hybrids Containing Covalently Bonded Polyoxometalates and Ferrocenyl Units

Insights into organic-inorganic hybrid molecular materials: organoimido functionalized polyoxomolybdates

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are polyatomic anions that comprise transition metal group 5 (V, Nb, Ta) or group 6 (Mo, W) oxyanions connected together by shared oxygen atoms. POMs are fascinating because of their exclusive and remarkable characteristics. One of the most interesting features of POMs is their capability to function as an electron relay by performing stepwise multi-electron redox reactions while maintaining their structural integrity. Functionalization of POMs with amino organic compounds results in organoimido derivatives of polyoxometalates, which have aroused interest due to augmentation of their properties. Comprehensive study has shown that the synthesis methodologies to obtain desired organoimido derivatives of POMs by employing various imido-releasing reagents have progressed drastically in recent decades, particularly the innovative DCC-dehydrating technique. These organoimido functionalized POMs have been used as major building blocks to develop unique nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid molecular materials. Many conventional organic synthesis processes such as Pd-catalyzed carbon-carbon coupling and esterification reactions have been performed with organoimido functionalized POMs where the presence of POM triggered the reaction process. Thus, investigation of the reactivity of organoimido derivatives of POMs foreshadows the intriguing future of POMs chemistry.

Trinuclear ruthenium core-containing polyoxometalate-based hybrids: preparation, characterization and catalytic behavior

Two ruthenium-containing polyoxometalate-based hybrids (Ru-POMs), KH8[Ru3O(Trz)6Cl3]2[(NaO6)W6(H2O)6(AsW9O33)4]·28H2O (1) and H3[Ru3O(Trz)6Cl3]2[(WO)2W(OH)(AsW9O33)2]·6H2O (2), (Trz = 1,2,4-triazole), were successfully isolated by a one-step hydrothermal method under different acidic conditions and further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), thermogravimetric (TG) analyses and elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal two polyanions comprised of four/two identical trivacant Keggin-type polyanion building blocks, leading to the formation of tetrameric/dimeric assembly stabilized by additional metal-oxo cores, respectively. ESI-MS shows that the polyanion units [(NaO6)W6(H2O)6(AsW9O33)4]11- and [(WO)2W(OH)(AsW9O33)2]5- are intact in mixed solvent. Moreover, the two heterogeneous catalysts with trinuclear ruthenium cations were further investigated, and 1 was found to exhibit much higher yield (94.1%)/conversion (95.1%) and better selectivity (>99%) towards the oxidation of thioanisole to sulfoxide than 2.

The corrosion inhibition of stainless steel by ferrocene–polyoxometalate hybrid molecular materials – experimental and first principles studies

The corrosion inhibition mechanism for SS316 coated with FcPMo hybrid material is shown.

Hybrid polyoxometalates as post-functionalization platforms: from fundamentals to emerging applications

Polyoxometalates (POMs) represent an important group of metal-oxo nanoclusters, typically comprised of early transition metals in high oxidation states (mainly V, Mo and W). Many plenary POMs exhibit good pH, solvent, thermal and redox stability, which makes them attractive components for the design of covalently integrated hybrid organic-inorganic molecules, herein referred to as hybrid-POMs. Until now, thousands of organic hybrid-POMs have been reported; however, only a small fraction can be further functionalized using other organic molecules or metal cations. This emerging class of 'post-functionalizable' hybrid-POMs constitute a valuable modular platform that permits coupling of POM properties with different organic and metal cation functionalities, thereby expanding the key physicochemical properties that are relevant for application in (photo)catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry and materials science. The post-functionalizable hybrid-POM platforms offer an opportunity to covalently link multi-electron redox responsive POM cores with virtually any (bio)organic molecule or metal cation, generating a wide range of materials with tailored properties. Over the past few years, these materials have been showcased in the preparation of framework materials, functional surfaces, surfactants, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and light harvesting materials, among others. This review article provides an overview on the state of the art in POM post-functionalization and highlights the key design and structural features that permit the discovery of new hybrid-POM platforms. In doing so, we aim to make the subject more comprehensible, both for chemists and for scientists with different materials science backgrounds interested in the applications of hybrid (POM) materials. The review article goes beyond the realms of polyoxometalate chemistry and encompasses emerging research domains such as reticular materials, surfactants, surface functionalization, light harvesting materials, non-linear optics, charge storing materials, and homogeneous acid-base catalysis among others.

Substitution Effect on the Charge Transfer Processes in Organo-Imido Lindqvist-Polyoxomolybdate

Two new aromatic organo-imido polyoxometalates with an electron donor triazole group ([n-Bu₄N]₂[Mo₆O18NC₆H₄N₃C₂H₂]) (1) and a highly conjugated fluorene ([n-Bu₄N]₂[Mo₆O18NC13H₉]) (2) have been obtained. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of several organo-imido systems were studied. These properties were analysed by the theoretical study of the redox potentials and by means of the excitation analysis, in order to understand the effect on the substitution of the organo-imido fragment and the effect of the interaction to a metal centre. Our results show a bathochromic shift related to the charge transfer processes induced by the increase of the conjugated character of the organic fragment. The cathodic shift obtained from the electrochemical studies reflects that the electronic communication and conjugation between the organic and inorganic fragments is the main reason of this phenomenon.

A Charge-Transfer Salt Based on Ferrocene/Ferrocenium Pairs and Keggin-Type Polyoxometalates

A new hybrid inorganic-organometallic salt has been obtained from the reaction of the Keggin-type silicotungstate anion with ferrocene in a water/methanol mixture as a result of the partial oxidation of ferrocene molecules to ferrocenium cations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the presence of four ferrocenium (Fe^III) cations and one ferrocene (Fe^II) molecule per plenary Keggin anion in the crystal structure of [Fe^III (Cp)₂]₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀]·[Fe^II(Cp)₂]·2CH₃OH (1). Compound 1 thus constitutes the first example in the literature in which ferrocenium and ferrocene species coexist in the structure of a polyoxometalate-based salt. The two crystallographically independent ferrocenium species in the asymmetric unit of 1 exhibit different configurations: One displays an eclipsed conformation with ideal D_5h symmetry, whereas the conformation in the other one is staggered D_5d. The crystal packing of 1 can be best described as an organometallic sub-lattice of ferrocenium and ferrocene species linked by a network of π-π interactions that generates rectangular cavities of about 14 × 10 Å in which strings of Keggin anions and methanol molecules are hosted, further connected to each other via weak O_POM···C_MeOH-O_MeOH···O_POM type hydrogen bonds. The charge-transfer nature of the salt has been studied by solid-state diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy and the presence of magnetically isolated Fe^III/Fe^II centres has been confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. A topological study carried out on all of the pristine ferrocenyl species deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has allowed two main conclusions to be drawn: (1) these species tend to adopt extreme conformations (either eclipsed or staggered) with less than a 15% of examples showing intermediate states and (2) the oxidation state of the iron centres can be unequivocally assigned on the basis of a close inspection of the Fe···Cp distances, which allows ferrocene neutral molecules and ferrocenium cations to be easily distinguished.

The first ReI organometallic complex with an organoimido-polyoxometalate ligand

An electrochemical, spectroscopic and theoretical study of the first Re^I complex with a hybrid organoimido-polyoxometalate ligand is presented.

New sterically encumbered arylimido hexamolybdates for organic oxidation reactions

Surface modification of the parent hexamolybdate by aryl amines results in useful catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene to cyclohexene epoxide and benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid.

Solvent-induced Mn(ii)/Zn(ii)/Co(ii) organopolymolybdate compounds constructed by bis-pyridyl-bis-amide ligands through the Mo–N bond: synthesis, structures and properties

Three transition metal organopolymolybdate hybrids have been solvothermally synthesized and characterized. The solvents play an important role in directing the formation of the Mo–N bond and structures of the title compounds.

Synthesis and characterization of conjugated Dawson-type polyoxometalate-porphyrin copolymers

Hybrid polyoxometalate-porphyrin copolymeric films were obtained by the electro-oxidation of zinc octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP) in the presence of a Dawson type polyoxophosphovanadotungstate bearing two pyridyl groups (POM(py)2). The synthesis of a series of POM(py)2 consisting of [P2W15V3O62](9-) functionalized with diol-amide or triol moieties, as well as the characterization of the copolymers are presented.

New di-ferrocenyl-ethynylpyridinyl triphenylphosphine copper halide complexes and related di-ferricenyl electro-crystallized materials

Three di-ferrocenyl-ethynylpyridinyl copper complexes have been synthesised and CV measurements made.

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.

Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of charge transfer interaction of a new water-soluble cobalt(II) Schiff base complex with imidazole derivatives

The water-soluble cobalt(II) tetradentate Schiff base complex [Co(II)L](ClO4)(2), L: (N,N'-bis(5-[(triphenylphosphonium)-methyl]salicylidine)-o-phenylenediamineperchlorate has been synthesized and characterized. This complex forms charge transfer (CT) complexes with imidazole and 1-methylimidazole. The formation constant, molar absorptivity (epsilon'), and thermodynamic parameters for charge transfer complexes formation of cobalt(II) Schiff base complexes with imidazole derivatives were determined by using UV-vis spectrophotometric method in aqueous solutions at constant ionic strength (I=0.2mol dm(-3) KNO3) at pH 6.0 and various temperatures between 292 and 315K.

From Chain to Network: Design and Analysis of Novel Organic−Inorganic Assemblies from Organically Functionalized Zinc-Substituted Polyoxovanadates and Zinc Organoamine Subunits

A series of novel organic-inorganic assemblies, [Zn(Meen)2]2[(4,4'-bipy)Zn2As8V12O40(H2O)] (1), [Zn(en)2(H2O)][Zn(en)2(4,4'-bipy)Zn2As8V12O40(H2O)].3H2O (2), [[Zn(en)3]2[Zn2As8V12O40(H2O)]].4H2O.0.25bipy (3) and [Zn2(en)5][[Zn(en)2][(bpe)HZn2As8V12O40(H2O)]2].7H2O (4) [en = ethylenediamine, Meen = 1,2-diaminopropane, 4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, and bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane] constructed from organically modified Zn-substituted polyoxovanadates and zinc organoamine subunits have been synthesized. Each anion cluster of compound 1 is directly linked by the 4,4'-bipy ligand into a one-dimensional (1D) straight chain. The secondary metal complex [Zn(Meen)2]2+ acts as an isolated countercation. The 1D chain structure of 2 is similar to that of 1 but sinuate because of the secondary metal complex [Zn(en)2]2+ decorated on the anion cluster. The en ligands covalently bonding to the surface anion of 3 not only support the secondary metal complex [Zn(en)2]2+ but also coordinate to another anion through the secondary metal complex [Zn(en)2]2+ bridge to form an "eight-shaped" chiral helix. The unprecedented 2D layer of compound 4 with large nanosized inner rectangular cavities [33.669(6) x 14.720(8) A] is successfully achieved through the anion clusters polymerized first into chains by flexible organic ligands and then secondary metal complexes bridged between the chains. The different coordination abilities and geometries of the bidentate organodiamine ligands used in the four-reaction systems play important roles in the formation of the final structures: from straight chains to sinuate chains, to helical chiral chains, and finally to a 2D layer with helices.

Interfacial charge-transfer absorption: 3. Application to semiconductor-molecule assemblies

Interfacial charge-transfer absorption (IFCTA) provides information concerning the barriers to charge transfer between molecules and the energy levels of a metal/semiconductor and the magnitude of the electronic coupling and could thus provide a powerful tool for understanding interfacial charge-transfer kinetics. Here we utilize a previously published model (J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 10251) to predict the energetics of IFCTA spectra for semiconductors and compare literature observations to these predictions for n-type semiconductors (largely TiO2). In contrast to metals, where IFCTA has been only rarely observed, new absorption features due to IFCTA are common for semiconductors such as TiO2. At issue is whether the electron accepting states in the TiO2 are localized or delocalized over the conduction band.

Controlled Modulation of Conductance in Silicon Devices by Molecular Monolayers

We have controllably modulated the drain current (I(D)) and threshold voltage (V(T)) in pseudo metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) by grafting a monolayer of molecules atop oxide-free H-passivated silicon surfaces. An electronically controlled series of molecules, from strong pi-electron donors to strong pi-electron acceptors, was covalently attached onto the channel region of the transistors. The device conductance was thus systematically tuned in accordance with the electron-donating ability of the grafted molecules, which is attributed to the charge transfer between the device channel and the molecules. This surface grafting protocol might serve as a useful method for controlling electronic characteristics in small silicon devices at future technology nodes.

Theoretical Study on the Electronic Spectrum and the Origin of Remarkably Large Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organoimide Derivatives of Hexamolybdates

Electronic spectrum of organoimide derivatives of hexamolybdates have first been calculated within the time-dependent density-functional theory in conjunction with Van Leeuwen-Baerends (LB94) exchange correlation potential, statistical average of orbital potentials (SAOP), and gradient-regulated connection potential (GRAC), respectively. The GRAC yields much better agreement with experiments for the excitation energies comparing with both LB94 and SAOP. The analysis of transition nature indicates that there is a significant difference between the diagonal and the orthogonal substituted derivatives. The static and dynamic third-order polarizabilities are calculated using time-dependent density-functional theory combined with the sum-over-states method. The results show that these derivatives possess remarkable large molecular third-order polarizabilities, especially for system 8 with -17882.6 x 10(-36) esu. This value is about 250 times that for the C(60) molecule. Adding the organoimide segment to the [Mo(6)O(19)](2-) can substantially increase the nu value. This variation can be traced to the different electronic transition characteristics between the derivatives of [Mo(6)O(19)](2-) and [Mo(6)O(19)](2-). For our studied systems, increasing the conjugation length and diagonal substituted are efficient ways to enhance the third-order polarizability. Thus, the organoimide derivatives of hexamolybdates may comprise a new promising class of nonlinear optical materials from the standpoint of large values, small dispersion behavior, and high transparency.

Enantiopure 1,1‘-Binaphthyl-Based Polyoxometalate-Containing Molecular Hybrids

The first chiral molecular hybrids based on covalently linked polyoxometalate clusters and enantiopure 1,1'-binaphthyl units have been prepared. Their structures have been confirmed by (1)H NMR, FTIR, and ESI-MS measurements. Such hybrids show moderate chiroptical behavior in solutions, and Cotton effects are observed up to 450 nm, indicating chiral extension from the binaphthyl core to the cluster-containing pi-conjugated arms.