Wheel-shaped polyoxotungstate [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- macroanions form supramolecular "blackberry" structure in aqueous solution

The hydrophilic polyoxotungstate [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)]25- ({Cu20P8W48}) self-assembles into single-layer, hollow, spherical "blackberry"-type structures in aqueous solutions, as studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. This represents the first report of blackberry formation for a non-Mo-containing polyoxometalate. There is no obvious change in the shape and size of the blackberries during the slow blackberry formation process, neither with macroionic concentration nor with temperature. Our results suggest that the blackberry-type structure formation is most likely a general phenomenon for hydrophilic macroions with suitable size and charge in a polar solvent, and not a specific property of polyoxomolybdates and their derivatives. The {Cu20P8W48} macroions are thus far the smallest type of macroions to date (equivalent radius < 2 nm) showing the unique self-assembly behavior, helping us to move one step closer toward identifying the transition point from simple ions (can be described by the Debye-Hückel theory) to macroions in very dilute solutions. Moreover, by using {Cu20P8W48} blackberry-type structures as the model system, the electrophoretic properties of macroionic supramolecular structures are studied for the first time via zeta-potential analysis. The mobility of blackberry-type structures is determined and used for understanding the state of small cations in solution. We notice that the average charge density on each {Cu20P8W48} macroanion in a blackberry is much lower than that of discrete "free" {Cu20P8W48} macroions. This result suggests that some small alkali counterions are closely associated with, or even incorporated into, the blackberry-type structures and thus do not contribute to solution conductivity. This model is fully consistent with our speculation that monovalent counterions play an important role in the self-assembly of macroions, possibly providing an attractive force contributing to blackberry formation.     

A complete macroion-"blackberry" assembly-macroion transition with continuously adjustable assembly sizes in {Mo132} water/acetone systems

A complete, continuous transition from discrete macroions to blackberry structures, and then back to discrete macroions, is reported for the first time in the system of {Mo132}/water/acetone, with {Mo132} (full formula (NH4)42[Mo132O372(CH3COO)30(H2O)72].ca.300H2O.ca.10CH3COONH4) as the C60-like anionic polyoxomolybdate molecular clusters. Laser light scattering studies reveal the presence of the self-assembled {Mo132} blackberry structures in water/acetone mixed solvents containing 3 vol % to 70 vol % acetone, with the average hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of blackberries ranging from 45 to 100 nm with increasing acetone content. Only discrete {Mo132} clusters are found in solutions containing <3 vol % and >70 vol % acetone. The complete discrete macroion (cluster)-blackberry-discrete macroion transition helps to identify the driving forces behind the blackberry formation, a new type of self-assembly process. The charge density on the macroions is found to greatly affect the blackberry formation and dissociation, as the counterion association is very dominant around blackberries. The transitions between single {Mo132} clusters and blackberries, and between the blackberries with different sizes, are achieved by only changing the solvent quality.     

Strong attraction among the fully hydrophilic {Mo72Fe30} macroanions

We report the study on the unique driving forces of the self-assembly of fully hydrophilic, soluble {Mo72Fe30} macroanions into single-layer, vesicle-like "blackberry" structures in water and mixed solvents. The hydrophobic interaction that is responsible for the vesicle formation of amphiphilic surfactants does not contribute to the current blackberry formation because of the absence of hydrophobic moiety. The hydrogen bond, van der Waals force, and chemical interaction only play minor roles. Laser light scattering and conductance measurements on a series of {Mo72Fe30}/ethanol/H2O solutions show that a certain amount of negative charges are necessary for the self-assembly, clearly indicating the existence of long-range attraction between macroanions, presumably due to the small counterions in between. The experimental results suggest that the charges on macroanions play a dual effect: short-range electrostatic repulsion and long-range "like-charge attraction", which is the major source of attractive force between hydrophilic macroanions, while van der Waals force, hydrogen bonds, and temporary inter-{Mo72Fe30} Fe-O-Fe chemical linking may also have minor contributions.     

Spontaneous Self‐Assembly of γ‐Cyclodextrins in Dilute Solutions with Tunable Sizes and Thermodynamic Stability

The behavior in dilute solution of phosphate‐functionalized γ‐cyclodextrin macroanions with eight charges on the rim was explored. The hydrophilic macroions in mixed solvents show strong attraction between each other, mediated by the counterions, and consequently self‐assemble into blackberry‐type hollow spherical structures. Time‐resolved laser light scattering (LLS) measurements at high temperature ruled out the possibility of hydrogen bonding as the main driving force in the self‐assembly and indicated the good thermodynamic stability of assemblies regulated by the charge. The transition from single macroions to blackberries can be tuned by adjusting the content of organic solvent. The sizes of blackberries vary with the charge density of γ‐cyclodextrin by adjusting pH. It is the first report that pure cyclodextrins can generate supramolecular structures by themselves in dilute solution. The unique solution behavior of macroions provides a new opportunity to assemble cyclodextrin into functional materials and devices.     

Self‐Recognition Between Two Almost Identical Macroions During Their Assembly: The Effects of pH and Temperature

Two Keplerate‐type macroions, [Mo^VI₇₂Fe^III₃₀O₂₅₂‐ (CH₃COO)₁₂{Mo₂O₇(H₂O)}₂{H₂Mo₂O₈(H₂O)}(H₂O)₉₁]?ca. 150 H₂O= {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} and [{Na(H₂O)₁₂}?{Mo^VI₇₂Cr^III₃₀O₂₅₂(CH₃COO)₁₉‐ (H₂O)₉₄}]?ca. 120 H₂O= {Mo₇₂Cr₃₀} , with identical size and shape but different charge density, can self‐assemble into spherical “blackberry”‐like structures in aqueous solution by means of electrostatic interactions. These two macroanions can self‐recognize each other and self‐assemble into two separate types of homogeneous blackberries in their mixed dilute aqueous solution, in which they carry ?7 and ?5 net charges, respectively. Either adjusting the solution pH or raising temperature is expected to make the self‐recognition more difficult, by making the charge densities of the two clusters closer, or by decreasing the activation energy barrier for the blackberry formation, respectively. Amazingly, the self‐recognition behavior remains, as confirmed by dynamic and static light scattering, TEM, and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The results prove that the self‐recognition behavior of the macroions due to the long‐range electrostatic interaction is universal and can be achieved when only minimum differences exist between two types of macroanions.     

Self-assembly of polyoxometalate macroanion-capped pd0 nanoparticles in aqueous solution

The self-assembly behavior of polyoxometalate (POM) macroanion-capped 3-nm-radius Pd (0) nanoparticles in aqueous solution is reported. Pd(0) nanoparticles are synthesized from reducing K(2)PdCl(4) by using Dawson-type V-substituted POM K(9)[H(4)PV (IV)W(17)O(62)] (HPV(IV)) clusters as the reductant and stabilizer simultaneously in acidic aqueous solutions. The starting molar ratio of K(2)PdCl(4) to HPV(IV) (R value) in solution is important to the formation of Pd nanoparticles. When R < 0.6, approximately 20-nm-radius Pd(0) colloidal nanocrystals are formed. When R > or = 0.6, HPV-capped (and therefore negatively charged) 3-nm-radius Pd(0) nanoparticles are formed, which can further self-assemble into stable, hollow, spherical, 30-50-nm-radius supramolecular structures in solution without precipitation, as confirmed by light scattering and transmission electron microscopy studies. This structure resembles the unique supramolecular structure formed by hydrophilic POM macroanions in polar solvents, which we refer to as "blackberry" structures. It is the first evidence that the blackberry formation can occur in hydrophobic nanoparticle systems when the surface of nanoparticles is modified to be partially hydrophilic. Counterions play an important role in the self-assembly of Pd nanoparticles, possibly providing an attractive force for blackberry formation, which is the case for blackberry formation in POM macroanionic solutions. Our results suggest that the blackberry formation is not a specific property of POM macroions but most likely a general phenomenon for nanoparticles with relatively hydrophilic surfaces and suitable sizes and charges in a polar solvent.     

Spontaneous self-assembly of metal-organic cationic nanocages to form monodisperse hollow vesicles in dilute solutions

In this communication we report the unprecedented spontaneous self-assembly of cationic nanoporous metal-organic coordination cages (nanocages) into giant hollow vesicle-like structures in polar solvents. Such highly soluble nanocages (macrocations) have separated hydrophobic regions. However, their assembly is not due to hydrophobic interactions but the counterion-mediated attractions, very similar to the unique self-assembly of polyoxometalate macroanions into single-layer, spherical blackberry structures, as characterized by laser light scattering and TEM studies. This is the first study on the solution behavior of metal-organic nanocages and also the first report on the self-assembly of soluble macrocations. Therefore, the blackberry structure is likely to be a universal type of self-assembly for soluble macroions. In addition, the self-assembled nanocages can provide blackberry structures a wide range of organic functionalities that are impossible to reach with purely inorganic systems, which may open the door to many types of applications.     

Thermodynamics of Re-Solvation of Cadmium Ions in Water-Acetone Solvents

On the basis of a method of differences of Volta-potentials at 298.15 K the real primary effect of an environment of cadmium ions and the real Gibbs energy for the transport of Cd²⁺ out of water into a water-acetone solvent (Me₂CO) are determined. The surface potential at the nonaqueous solvent/gas phase interface \(\Delta \chi _{H_2 O}^S\) is obtained. This quantity is taken into account when calculating chemical thermodynamic characteristics for cadmium ions and the surface potential at the gas phase/acetone interface \(\Delta \chi ^{\operatorname{Me} _2 \operatorname{O} } = - 0.337\operatorname{V}\). Thermodynamic characteristics of the over-solvation of a II-I electrolyte with those for a I-I electrolyte are compared.     

Automatic and subsequent dissolution and precipitation process in inorganic macroionic solutions

We report an interesting phenomenon in the NaCl-containing aqueous solution of {Mo72Fe30} macroions, where dissolution and precipitation processes of hydrophilic macroions automatically and subsequently occur without changing external conditions or chemical reactions. Our previous work indicates that {Mo72Fe30} macroions tend to slowly self-assemble into single-layer, vesicle-like "blackberries". Such macroions have two solute states in solutions: the entropy-favored general state (homogeneous distribution) and the free-energy favored second solute state (blackberries). With additional salts, the originally stable blackberries become less stable due to their shortened screening length, and they tend to further aggregate and precipitate at much lower concentrations. Therefore, in such a solution, we can observe a subsequent process: crystal solids --> homogeneous single macroion solution --> homogeneous blackberry solution --> precipitates containing noncrystalline solids. In other words, we observed the behaviors of both soluble inorganic ions and colloids in the same solution due to the unique features of the macroions. Static and dynamic laser light scattering, as well as AFM measurements, were used to characterize both the macroionic solutions and the precipitates.     

Counter-Ion Association Effect in Dilute Giant Polyoxometalate [AsIII 12CeIII 16(H2O)36W148O524]76−({W148}) and [Mo132O372(CH3COO)30 (H2O)72]42− ({Mo132}) Macroanionic Solutions

This article reports the use of simple conductivity measurements to explore the state of small counter-ions (mostly NH ₄ ⁺ and Na⁺) in $[\hbox{As}^{\rm III}_{12}\hbox{Ce}^{\rm III}_{16}(\hbox{H}_2\hbox{O})_{36}\hbox{W}_{148}\hbox{O}_{524}]^{76-} (\{\hbox{W}_{148}\})$ and $[\hbox{Mo}_{132}\hbox{O}_{372}(\hbox{CH}_{3}\hbox{COO})_{30} (\hbox{H}_{2}\hbox{O})_{72}]^{42-} (\{\hbox{Mo}_{132}\})$ macroanionic solutions. All the solutions are dialyzed to remove the extra electrolytes. Conductivity measurements on {(NH₄)₇₀Na₆W₁₄₈} and {(NH₄)₄₂Mo₁₃₂} solutions at different concentrations both before and after dialysis indicate that the state of counter-ions has obvious concentration dependence. The “counter-ion association” phenomenon, that is, some small counter-ions closely associate with macroanions and move together, has been observed in both types of macroionic solutions above certain concentration. The association of counter-ions in hydrophilic macroionic solutions provides support on our previous speculation that the counter-ions might be responsible for the unique self-assembly of such macroanions into single-layer blackberry-type structures.     

Deprotonations and charges of well-defined {Mo72Fe30} nanoacids simply stepwise tuned by pH allow control/variation of related self-assembly processes

The solution behavior of the largest inorganic acid known thus far, the neutral, spherical iron/molybdenum/oxide nanocluster {Mo72Fe30} ([triple bond{(MoVI) MoVI5}12FeIII30 1a), including the pH-controlled deprotonation, is reported. The acidic properties are due to the 30 peripheral, weakly acidic FeIII(H2O) groups that form a unique Archimedean solid with all edges and dihedral angles being equal, the icosidodecahedron, and therefore an "isotropic" surface. Interestingly, the aqueous solutions are stable even for months because of the inertness of the spherical solutes and the presence of the hard FeIII and MoVI centers. The stability can be nicely proven by the very characteristic Raman spectrum showing, because of the (approximately) icosahedral symmetry, only a few lines. Whereas the {Mo72Fe30} clusters exist as discrete, almost neutral, molecules in aqueous solution at pH < 2.9, they get deprotonated and self-associate into single-layer blackberry-type structures at higher pH while the assembly process (i.e., the size of the final species) can be controlled by the pH values; this allows the deliberate generation of differently sized nanoparticles, a long-term goal in nanoscience. The average hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the self-assembled structures decreases monotonically with increasing number of charges on the {Mo72Fe30} macroanions (from approximately 45 nm at pH approximately 3.0 to approximately 15 nm at pH approximately 6.6), as studied by laser light scattering and TEM techniques. The {Mo72Fe30} macroions with high-stability tunable charges/surfaces, equal shape, and masses provide models for the understanding of more complex polyelectrolyte solutions while the controllable association and dissociation reported here of the assembled soft magnetic materials with tuneable sizes could be interesting for practical applications.     

Isotope and Hydrogen-Bond Effects on the Self-Assembly of Macroions in Dilute Solution

We report on the disparity in the assembly behavior of four types of nano-sized macroions induced by isotopic substitution of protium (H) to deuterium (D) in solvents. Macroions with modest charge density can self-assemble into single-layer, hollow, spherical “blackberry”-type structures, with larger assembly sizes representing stronger attractions among the macroions. Kinetically, all assembly processes become slower in D₂O than in H₂O. Thermodynamically, the polyoxometalate {SrPd₁₂}, the uranium cage {U₆₀} with alkali metal counterions, and the metal–organic cationic cage {Pd₁₂L₂₄} demonstrate similar assembly sizes in both H₂O and D₂O, whereas the metal oxide cluster {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} as a weak acid shows an unusually large assembly size in H₂O—suggesting a stronger contribution from the hydrogen bonding in the last case.     

"Bottom-up" meets "top-down" assembly in nanoscale polyoxometalate clusters: self-assembly of [P4W52O178](24-) and disassembly to [P3W39O134](19-)

The pH-controlled assembly/disassembly of a nanoscale {P4W52O178}24- cluster at pH 2 to a {P4W44O152}20- cluster at pH 3-5 via a {P3W39O134}19- cluster species at pH 2-3 to finally give {P2W19O69(OH2)}14- at pH 6 is reported. This process can be traced in the solid state crystallographically and in solution using dynamic light scattering studies.     

Two wheel-like polytungstates obtained by incorporation of two {Cu(4)} clusters and two molybdenum centers in the {W(48)} wheel

Two new {P(8)W(48)} wheel-based compounds, Na(12)Li(16){[Cu(H(2)O)](2)[Cu(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](2)P(8)W(48)O(184)}·55H(2)O (1), and K(4)Na(24)Li(10){(MoO(2))(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))}·61H(2)O (2) have been synthesized by a conventional aqueous solution method, and characterized by UV, IR, TG analysis, XPRD, (31)P NMR, XPS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, magnetic study and electrochemistry study. In compound 1, a wheel-type {P(8)W(48)} containing two {Cu(4)} clusters and two isolated Cu cations results in a 10-Cu-containing polyoxotungstate, which represents the first {P(8)W(48)}-based compound trapping two transition metal (TM) clusters in its inner cavity. Further, the polyoxoanion was connected by Na(+) and Li(+) cations into a 3D framework. Compound 2 is a 2-Mo-containing {P(8)W(48)}-based polyoxotungstate. Magnetic study indicates that antiferromagnetic interactions exist in compound 1.     

Evolution of Actinyl Peroxide Clusters U28 in Dilute Electrolyte Solution: Exploring the Transition from Simple Ions to Macroionic Assemblies

Actinyl peroxide clusters, a unique class of uranyl‐containing nanoclusters discovered in recent years, are crucial intermediates between the (UO₂)²⁺ aqua‐ion monomer and bulk uranyl minerals. Herein, two actinyl polyoxometalate nanoclusters of Cs₁₅[(Ta(O₂)₄)Cs₄K₁₂(UO₂(O₂)_1.5)₂₈] ? 20 H₂O (CsK U₂₈ ) and Na₆K₉[(Ta(O₂)₄)Rb₄Na₁₂(UO₂(O₂)_1.5)₂₈] ? 20 H₂O (RbNa U₂₈ ) were synthesized by incorporating a central Ta(O₂)₄^3? anion that templates a hollow shell of 28 uranyl peroxide polyhedra. When dissolved in aqueous solutions with additional electrolytes, those 1.8 nm‐size macroanions self‐assembled into spherical, hollow, blackberry‐type supramolecular structures, as was characterized by laser‐light scattering (LLS) and TEM techniques. These clusters are the smallest macroions reported to date that form blackberry structures in solution, therefore, can be treated as valuable models for investigating the transition from simple ions to macroions. Kinetic studies showed an unusually long lag phase in the initial self‐assembly process, which is followed by a rapid formation of the blackberry structures in solution. The small cluster size and high surface‐charge density are essential in regulating the supramolecular structure formation, as was shown from the high activation energy barrier of 51.2±2 kJ mol^?1. Different countercations were introduced into the system to investigate the effect of ion binding to the length of the lag phase. The current research provides yet another scale of self‐assembly of uranyl peroxide complexes in aqueous media.     

Supramolecular Assembly of Poly(propyleneimine) Dendrimers Driven By Simple Monovalent Counterions

The self‐assembly of semiglobular, positively charged poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers with small monovalent counterions (e.g., Cl^?) in water/acetone mixtures was investigated. We showed that PPI dendrimers can assemble into hollow, spherical, single‐layered blackberry‐type structures mediated by the presence of monovalent counterions. The effects on the assembly of changing the solvent polarity and adjusting the pH were further investigated to confirm the presence of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding as the driving forces. Results showed that PPI dendrimers form stable, hollow spheres in 5–20 % v/v acetone/water and that the size of the spheres decreases monotonically as the solvent polarity and/or the charge on the dendrimers (i.e., lower solution pH) increases. This is the first example to show that small monovalent counterions can trigger attraction among PPI dendrimers (or broadly defined polyelectrolytes) that is strong enough to bring them together to form large, stable supramolecular assemblies, which indicates that these organic macroions have similar solution behavior to more‐well‐defined inorganic molecular macroions.     

A small cavity with reactive internal shell atoms spanned by four {As(W/V)9}-type building blocks allows host-guest chemistry under confined conditions

The reaction of [H2As(III)W18O60]7- with VO2+ and SO4(2-) ions in aqueous solution leads to a V(IV)/V(V) mixed-valence cluster anion containing the {As4M40O140}-type cryptand which has a high formation tendency. An important result is that it exhibits a new type of reactive internal cavity shell. The correspondingly obtained compound Na(NH4)20[{(V(IV)O(H2O))(V(IV)O)2(SO4)2}{(As(III)W9O33)2(As(III)W7.5V(V)1.5O31)2(WO2)4}] x 40 H2O (1), which can also be synthesized from a precursor with the preorganized cryptand, was characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses (determination of crystal water content), redox titrations (determination of the number of V(IV) centers), electronic absorption as well as vibrational spectra, single-crystal X-ray structure analysis (including bond valence sum calculations), and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The relatively small central cavity--formed by the linking of four {AsM9}-type lacunary units (M = W/V) by four WO6 octahedra--allows positioning of a variety of cationic as well as anionic "guests" under confined conditions according to a new approach: replacement of some of the W by V atoms leads to high reactivity of the internal cavity shell as a result of relatively weak VO bonds compared to the WO bonds. This allows an interesting "encapsulation chemistry" with new options. In the present case the cavity contains besides an arrangement of three V(IV) centers, two sulfate groups that replace O atoms of the {AsM9} units as well as an interesting hydrogen bond situation.     

Nucleation and crystal growth of copper(II) 8-hydroxyquinolinate precipitated from mixed solvents

The precipitation kinetics of copper(II) 8-hydroxyquinolinate, formed in water-acetone mixtures, have been studied in a stop-flow apparatus by spectrophotometric techniques. Three factors are found to be important in improving the physical characteristics of crystals precipitated from mixed solvents. Supersaturation and growth rate can be controlled uniformly by slow rate of change in solvent composition; the presence of acetone significantly reduces the number of effective nuclei; thirdly, large amounts of organic solvent cause a change in the crystal form and its growth mechanism. At room temperature, copper(II) 8-hydroxyquinolinate is precipitated as a dihydrate from water-acetone mixtures containing 0-60% acetone, and the crystal growth is limited by a diffusion-controlled process. Anhydrous copper(II) 8-hydroxyquinolinate is formed in 70% acetone solutions by a surface-controlled reaction.     

基于[P_2W_(15)O_(56)]~(12-)构筑块的四核铜夹心型化合物的合成、结构表征及其热稳定性

以三缺位型Dawson结构的钨磷酸盐前驱体Na12[α-P2W15O56]·24H2O与CuCl2·6H2O和Na3PO4为原料、水为溶剂,经溶液合成法合成了四核夹心型多金属氧酸盐化合物Na3H13[Cu4(H2O)2(P2W15O56)2]·72H2O(1);利用X射线单晶衍射仪、红外光谱仪、紫外光谱仪、X射线粉末衍射仪等分析了合成产物的结构,采用变温红外光谱测定了其热性质.结果表明,该化合物为三斜晶系,P-1空间群;其晶胞参数为:a=1.318 1(2)nm,b=1.345 1(2)nm,c=2.497 3(4)nm,α=78.149(3)°,β=88.242(3)°,γ=62.087(2)°.该化合物的骨架结构由两个三缺位的Dawson结构单元{P2W15O56}通过一个{Cu4O16}簇连接而成;其在350℃以下表现出一定的热稳定性.     

Oxothiomolybdenum derivatives of the superlacunary crown heteropolyanion {P8W48}: structure of [K4{Mo4O4S4(H2O)3(OH)2}2(WO2)(P8W48O184)]30– and studies in solution

Reaction of the cyclic lacunary [H(7)P(8)W(48)O(184)](33-) anion (noted P(8)W(48)) with the [Mo(2)S(2)O(2)(H(2)O)(6)](2+) oxothiocation led to two compounds, namely, [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) (denoted 1) and [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) (denoted 2), which were characterized in the solid state and solution. In the solid state, the structure of [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) reveals the presence of two disordered {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) "handles" connected on both sides of the P(8)W(48) ring. Such a disorder is consistent with the presence of two geometrical isomers where the relative disposition of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles are arranged in a perpendicular or parallel mode. Such an interpretation is fully supported by (31)P and (183)W NMR solution studies. The relative stability of both geometrical isomers appears to be dependent upon the nature of the internal alkali cations, i.e., Na(+) vs K(+), and increased lability of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles, compared to the oxo analogous, was clearly identified by significant broadening of the (31)P and (183)W NMR lines. Solution studies carried out by UV-vis spectroscopy showed that formation of the adduct [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) occurs in the 1.5-4.7 pH range and corresponds to a fast and quantitative condensation process. Furthermore, (31)P NMR titrations in solution reveal formation of the "monohandle" derivative [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(P(8)W(48)O(184))](38-) as an intermediate prior to formation of the "bishandle" derivatives. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) was studied in aqueous medium and compared with the parent anion P(8)W(48).