A New Nb28 Cluster Based on Tungstophosphate, [{Nb4O6(OH)4}{Nb6P2W12O61}4]36–

A High Nucleus Cu-Incorporated Giant Phosphotungstate with Photocatalytic Oxidation C-H of Toluene

Exploring a novel photocatalyst for catalytic oxidation of toluene is a sustainable strategy for energy conversion in times of an energy crisis. However, designing an effective photocatalyst for the conversion of toluene remains challenging. Herein, a novel organic monophosphonate-modified high nucleus Cu-incorporated polyoxotungstate, K8H33[{Cu0.5(H2O)4}{Cu2(O3PCH2COO)(1,4,9-α-P2W15O56)}]4·Cl·60H2O (1), has been intentionally synthesized by a self-assembly process utilizing conventional aqueous method. It reveals that 1 contains a polyanion of [{Cu0.5(H2O)}4{Cu2(O3PCH2COO)(1,4,9-α-P2W15O56)}]440- composed of four Dawson-type {1,4,9-α-P2W15} subunits, forming an oval-shaped structure and further connecting into a three-dimensional (3D) framework by lateral {Cu(H2O)4}2+. Interestingly, the trivacant {1,4,9-α-P2W15} subunits were observed in the organophosphonate acid-functionalized polyoxometalates for the first time. Notably, 1 exhibits a wonderful performance in catalytic oxidation of the recalcitrant C(sp3)-H bond of toluene to benzoic acid with a conversion as high as 97% under visible light utilizing O2 as an oxidant.

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.

Screening the biological properties of transition metal carbamates reveals gold(I) and silver(I) complexes as potent cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents

We report a screening study aimed to assess for the first time the air- and water-stability and the biological potential of simple metal-carbamates. These molecular metallic species are based on elements belonging to the groups 4-5, 7-9 and 11, and tin, and are easily available from inexpensive reagents. Complexes [Ag(O₂CNEt₂)] (13-Ag) and [Au(O₂CNMe₂)(PPh₃)] (14-Au) resulted substantially stable in aqueous media and exhibited a potent in vitro cytotoxicity. Especially 13-Ag revealed a significant selectivity against the A549 lung adenocarcinoma and the A2780 ovarian cancer cell lines with respect to the noncancerous HEK293 cell line. Generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and mitochondrial membrane depolarization were recognized for 13-Ag and 14-Au; notwithstanding, the cell death mechanism is different in the two cases: apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase for 13-Ag; necroptosis and cell cycle arrest in S phase for 14-Au. Both 13-Ag and 14-Au are endowed with antibacterial activity, which is relatively stronger for 13-Ag towards Gram negative and for 14-Au towards Gram positive strains, respectively.

Incorporating highly basic polyoxometalate anions comprising Nb or Ta into nanoscale reaction fields of porous ionic crystals

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are oxide cluster anions composed of high-valence early transition metals and are widely used as catalysts. Yet base catalysis of POMs remains an ongoing challenge; group V (V, Nb, and Ta) elements form more negatively charged POMs than group VI (Mo and W) elements, and in particular, polyoxoniobates and polyoxotantalates are known to show strong basicity in solution due to the highly negative surface oxygen atoms. Herein, we report for the first time porous ionic crystals (PICs) comprising Nb or Ta. The PICs are composed of Dawson-type Nb/W or Ta/W mixed-addenda POMs with oxo-centered trinuclear Cr^III carboxylates and potassium ions as counter cations to control the crystal structure. Among the PICs, those with Nb or Ta tri-substituted POMs exhibit the highest yield (78-82%) and selectivity (99%) towards the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate (353 K, 6 h), which is a typical base-catalyzed reaction, as reusable solid catalysts, and they can also catalyze the reaction of other active methylene compounds. A detailed investigation into the crystal structures together with DFT calculations and in situ IR spectroscopy with methanol as a basic probe molecule shows that the exposure of [Nb₃O₁₃] or [Ta₃O₁₃] units with highly negative surface oxygen atoms to the pore surface of PICs is crucial to the catalytic performance. These findings based on the composition-structure-function relationships show that Nb- and Ta-containing PICs can serve as platforms for rational designing of heterogeneous base catalysts.

Unraveling the Effects of Cobalt on Crystal Growth and Solution Behavior of Nb6P2W12-based Dimeric Clusters

We report the synthesis, characterization, and solution self-assembly of plenary Nb₆P₂W₁₂-based transition-metal substituted polyoxometalate, which is obtained by simply adding transition metals (Co²⁺) into aqueous solution containing cluster [(NbO₂)₆P₂W₁₂O₅₆]^12-, which is obtained by an in situ synthetic method. The incorporation of Co²⁺ ions significantly affects the crystal structure, resulting in the formation of a 1D chain-like crystal and the first example of a niobotungstate-based cobalt derivative cluster. The behavior and stability of this cluster in solution are confirmed by time-resolved static light scattering, dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and electrospray mass spectrometry studies.

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.

Niobium uptake by a [P8W48O184]40−macrocyclic polyanion

Incorporation of Nb into the [P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄]⁴⁰⁻anionic macrocyclic cavitand leads to formation of new Nb–W POMs. Inclusion of up to five {NbO(H₂O)}³⁺groups was observed. Solution speciation of the Nb-encapsulating macrocycles was studied by HPLC-ICP-AES and SAXS.

Self-assembly and Li-ion storage performance of three new Nb/W mixed-addendum polyoxometalates based on the {SiNb3W9O40} clusters and transition-metal cations

Three polyoxometalates have been synthesized to be utilized as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

The homometallic polyoxotungstate archetype {P4W24}

Integration of phenylphosphonate and phenylarsonate groups render the {P₂W₁₂}-based polyoxotungstate {P₄W₂₄} accessible, yet still sufficiently reactive for consecutive functionalization steps.

Two mixed-addenda Nb/W polyoxometalate-based hybrid compounds containing multicopper units: synthesis, structures, and electrochemical and magnetic properties

Two Nb/W mixed-addenda polyoxometalate-based hybrid compounds were synthesized. Their structures and properties were studied.

Synthesis, structure, and luminescent properties of a family of lanthanide-functionalized peroxoniobiophosphates

Eight new lanthanide derivatives containing 6-peroxoniobio-4-phosphate building block, [LnIII(H2O)6]2[H4(NbO2)6P4O24]·nH2O [Ln = Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), Er (6), Tm (7), Yb (8), 1-5, 7, 8 n = 12; 6 n = 9], have been successfully obtained using an in-situ strategy and fully characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, TG-MS, PXRD. Structural analyses indicate that these isostructural polyanions 1-8 consist of one [P4(NbO2)6O24]10- (P 4 (NbO 2 ) 6 ) clusters and two pendant Ln3+ cations. In these compounds, P 4 (NbO 2 ) 6 clusters are connected by lanthanide cations to form extended two-dimensional architectures. The approach takes advantage of the ability of in-situ formed P 4 (NbO 2 ) 6 cluster to build frameworks by using it as ligands to lanthanide ions. The photoluminescence (PL) and lifetime decay behaviors of 1, 3 and 4 in solid state have been performed at room temperature. The PL emission of 1, 3 and 4 is mainly derived from the characteristic 5D0→7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3, 4), 5D4→7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) and 4F9/2→6H J (J = 15/2, 13/2, 11/2) transitions of the EuIII, TbIII and DyIII cations, respectively.

A luminescent polyoxoniobate lanthanide derivative {Eu3(H2O)9[Nb48O138(H2O)6]}27−

An Eu-containing polyoxoniobate (CN₃H₆)₇K₃H₁₇{Eu₃(H₂O)₉Nb₄₈O₁₃₈(H₂O)₆}·40H₂O is obtained under the protection of citric acid, which is a triangular cylindrical entity and displays red emission.

Two nanoscale Nb containing polyoxometalates based on {P2W15Nb3O62} clusters and chromium cations

We have introduced mixed-addenda Nb/W polyoxometalates as a new class of materials for lithium-ion batteries and demonstrated their capability as anode materials with good cycling stability.

Synthesis, structure, and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of a trimeric Nb/W addendum cluster

We present the second trimeric Nb/W addendum cluster Cs₁₂[(SiW₉Nb₃O₃₈)₃WO₃(OH)₃]·33H₂O with its photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.

Insight into the reactivity of in situ formed {(NbO2)3SiW9}: synthesis, structure, and solution properties of a trimeric polytungstosilicate trapping a {MnNb9} core

The first example of the trimeric polyoxometalate cluster, Cs₁₀Na₃[(SiW₉Nb₃O₃₈)₃MnO₃(H₂O)₃]·18H₂O (1a), has been synthesized using an in situ synthetic strategy and thoroughly characterized.

A rare polyniobotungstate-based framework and its structural transformation in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal process induced by iodide ions

A rare polyniobotungstate-based framework constructed from Lindqvist [Nb₃W₃O₁₉]⁵⁻ polyanions and mixed-valent copper ions has been made, which can undergo a solid–liquid reaction with KI solution to form a copper halide via a single-crystal-to-single-crystal process.

Synthesis, structure, self-assembly and genotoxicity evaluation of a series of Mn-Anderson cluster based polyoxometalate–organic hybrids

A new series of POM–organic hybrids have been developed which show less genotoxicity compared to the parent polyoxometalate cluster.

A silver-alkynyl cluster encapsulating a fluorescent polyoxometalate core: enhanced emission and fluorescence modulation

A fluorescent polyoxometalate-based silver(i)-alkynyl cluster exhibits sensitivity towards high energy UV irradiation and selectivity for detection of S²⁻.

Two new members of the niobium-substituted polytungstophosphate family based on hexalacunary [H2P2W12O48]12− building blocks

Herein we present two structurally novel nanoscale clusters [{Nb₆(O₂)₄P₂W₁₂O₅₇}₂]²⁰⁻ (1) and [{P₂W₁₂Nb₇O₆₃(H₂O)₂}₄{Nb₄O₄(OH)₆}]³⁰⁻ (2) formed by controlling the reaction parameters.

Self-assembly of two high-nuclearity manganese calixarene-phosphonate clusters: diamond-like Mn16 and drum-like Mn14

Variation of the phosphonic acid “converts” a tetradecanuclear drum-like MnII14 cluster (1) into a hexadecanuclear diamond-like MnII16 cluster (2).

Bridging the opposite chemistries of tantalum and tungsten polyoxometalates

Reaction of Ta peroxometalate and tungstate affords the first systematic series of Ta/W isopolyoxometalates. An analogous reaction system yields a Nb/W cluster. The electronic structure and stability of these clusters varies as a function of the group V metal content, as inferred from spectroscopic, electrochemical and mass-spectrometry analysis and confirmed by DFT calculations.