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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Probing the self-assembly of inorganic cluster architectures in solution with cryospray mass spectrometry: growth of polyoxomolybdate clusters and polymers mediated by silver(I) ions

Cryospray mass spectrometry (CSI-MS) has been used to probe the mechanism of self-assembly of polyoxometalate clusters in solution. By using CSI-MS and electronic absorbance spectroscopy it was possible to monitor in real-time the self-assembly of polymeric chains based on [Ag 2Mo 8O 26] (2-) n building blocks. The role of the Ag (I) ion in the solution state rearrangement of molybdenum Lindqvist ({Mo 6}) into the silver-linked beta-octamolybdate ({Mo 8}) structure (( n-C 4H 9) 4N) 2 n [Ag 2Mo 8O 26] n ( 1) is revealed in unprecedented detail. A monoanionic series, in particular [AgMo m O 3 m+1 ] (-) where m = 2 to 4, and series involving mixed oxidation state polyoxomolybdate species, which illustrate the in-solution formation of the (Ag{Mo 8}Ag) building blocks, have been observed. CSI-MS detection of species with increasing metal nuclearity concomitant with increasing organic cation contribution supports the hypothesis that the organic cations used in the synthesis play an important structure-directing role in polyoxometalate (POM) growth in solution. A real-time decrease in [{Mo 6}] and associated increase in [{Mo 8}] have been observed using CSI-MS and electronic absorbance spectroscopy, and the rate of {Mo 6} interconversion to {Mo 8} was found to decrease on increasing the size of the countercation. This result can be attributed to the steric bulk of larger organic groups hindering {Mo 6} to {Mo 8} rearrangement and hindering the contact between silver cations and molybdenum anions.     

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.     

Reduced molybenum-oxide-based core-shell hybrids: "blue" electrons are delocalized on the shell

The present study refers to a variety of reduced metal-oxide core-shell hybrids, which are unique with regard to their electronic structure, their geometry, and their formation. They contain spherical {Mo72Fe30} Keplerate-type shells encapsulating Keggin-type polyoxomolybdates based on very weak interactions. Studies on the encapsulation of molybdosilicate as well as on the earlier reported molybdophosphate, coupled with the use of several physical methods for the characterization led to unprecedented results (see title). Upon standing in air at room temperature, acidified aqueous solutions obtained by dissolving sodium molybdate, iron(II) chloride, acetic acid, and molybdosilicic acid led to the precipitation of monoclinic greenish crystals (1). A rhombohedral variant (2) has also been observed. Upon drying at room temperature, compound 3 with a layer structure was obtained from 1 in a solid-state reaction based on cross-linking of the shells. The compounds 1, 2, and 3 have been characterized by a combination of methods including single-crystal X-ray crystallography, magnetic studies, as well as IR, M?ssbauer, (resonance) Raman, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. In connection with detailed studies of the guest-free two-electron-reduced {Mo72Fe30}-type Keplerate (4) and of the previously reported molybdophosphate-based hybrids (including 31P NMR spectroscopy results), it is unambiguously proved that 1, 2, and 3 contain non-reduced Keggin ion cores and reduced {Mo72Fe30}-type shells. The results are discussed in terms of redox considerations (the shell as well as the core can be reduced) including those related to the reduction of "molybdates" by FeII being of interdisciplinary including catalytic interest (the MoVI/MoV and FeIII/FeII couples have very close redox potentials!), while also referring to the special formation of the hybrids based on chemical Darwinism.     

Self-assembly of Yttrium-containing lacunary polyoxotungstate macroanions in solution with controllable supramolecular structure size by pH or solvent content

The self-assembly and the formation of "Blackberry" type supramolecular structures for a type of Yttrium-containing polyoxometalate (K 15Na 6(H 3O) 9[(PY 2W 10O 38) 4(W 3O 14)].9H 2O, or {P 4Y 8W 43}) macroanions is characterized by using static and dynamic light scattering techniques. {P 4Y 8W 43} macroions are found to form hollow, spherical, single-layer "blackberry" structures in water and water-acetone mixed solvents. Very interestingly, the blackberry size can be accurately controlled by either changing acetone content in water-acetone mixed solvents, or by changing solution pH in aqueous solution. The blackberry size increases with decreasing pH (lower charge density) or higher acetone content in the mixed solvent (lower dielectric constant) and the blackberry size can change in responding to the change of external conditions. This indicates that the {P 4Y 8W 43} macroanions possess the properties of both "strong electrolyte type" and "weak electrolyte type" macroions, as we outlined previously. This is due to the special chemical feature of such clusters, which can be treated as Na 2HPO 4-type electrolytes in solution. The kinetics of the blackberry formation can be controlled by temperature.     

Mapping the formation areas of giant molybdenum blue clusters: a spectroscopic study

The self-assembly of soluble molybdenum blue species from simple molybdate solutions has primarily been associated with giant mixed-valent wheel-shaped cluster anions, derived from the {Mo(V/VI)(154/176)} archetypes, and a {Mo(V/VI)(368)} lemon-shaped cluster. The combined use of Raman spectroscopy and kinetic precipitation as self-assembly monitoring techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction is key to mapping the realm of molybdenum blue species by establishing spherical {Mo(V/VI)(102)}-type Keplerates as an important giant molybdenum blue-type species. We additionally rationalize the empirical effect of reducing agent concentration on the formation of all three relevant skeletal types: wheel, lemon and spheres. Whereas both wheels and the lemon-shaped {Mo(V/VI)(368)} cluster are obtained from weakly reduced molybdenum blue solutions, considerably higher reduced solutions lead to {Mo(V/VI)(102)}-type Keplerates.     

Volumetric,Acoustic and Transport Properties of Metformin Hydrochloride Drug in Aqueous <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Glucose Solutions at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (298.15–318.15) K

Apparent molar volumes, apparent molar adiabatic compressibilities and viscosity B-coefficients for metformin hydrochloride in aqueous d-glucose solutions were determined from solution densities, sound velocities and viscosities measured at T = (298.15–318.15) K and at pressure p = 101 kPa as a function of the metformin hydrochloride concentrations. The standard partial molar volumes (\( \phi_{V}^{0} \)) and slopes (\( S_{V}^{*} \)) obtained from the Masson equation were interpreted in terms of solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions, respectively. Solution viscosities were analyzed using the Jones–Dole equation and the viscosity A and B coefficients discussed in terms of solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions, respectively. Adiabatic compressibility (\( \beta_{s} \)) and apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{{}} \)), limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (\( \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) and experimental slopes (\( S_{\kappa }^{*} \)) were determined from sound velocity data. The standard volume of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{V}^{0} \)), viscosity B-coefficients of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} B \)) and limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility of transfer (\( \Delta_{t} \phi_{\kappa }^{0} \)) of metformin hydrochloride from water to aqueous glucose solutions were derived to understand various interactions in the ternary solutions. The activation parameters of viscous flow for the studied solutions were calculated using transition state theory. Hepler’s coefficient \( (d\phi /dT)_{p} \) indicated the structure making ability of metformin hydrochloride in the ternary solutions.     

Formation of a "less stable" polyanion directed and protected by electrophilic internal surface functionalities of a capsule in growth: [{Mo6O19}2- subset {Mo(VI)72Fe(III)30O252(ac)20(H2O)92}]4-

The spherical capsule skeleton of the host-guest system [{Mo6O19}2- subset {Mo(VI)72Fe(III)30O252(CH3COO)20(H2O)92}]4- 1a--built up by 12 {(Mo(VI))Mo(VI)5} type pentagonal units linked by 30 Fe(III) centers which span the unique icosahedral Archimedean solid, the icosidodecahedron--can now be constructed deliberately and with a simpler composition than before from an acidified aqueous molybdate solution containing the mentioned (virtual) pentagonal units; the encapsulated hexamolybdate--normally not formed in water--is built up in an unprecedented way concomitant with capsule growth, while being directed by the corresponding internal electrophilic surface functionalities.     

A new calix[4]pyrrole derivative and its anion (fluoride)/cation (mercury and silver) recognition

A new calix[4]pyrrole-based macrocycle, meso-tetramethyl-tetrakis{4-[2-(ethylthio)ethoxy]phenyl}calix[4]pyrrole, 7, has been synthesized and fully characterized. Unlike other calixpyrrole derivatives that show selective interaction with anions, calixpyrrole 7 described in the present work forms stable complexes with both metal cations and anions. The thermodynamics of complexation of this ditopic calixpyrrole derivative with metal cations (Hg2+ and Ag+) and the fluoride anion in nonaqueous solutions have been determined by titration calorimetry, and the host-guest composition has been investigated by using conductance measurements at 298.15 K. 1H NMR studies provide clear evidence about the sites of complexation of 7 with the ionic species, which show that the NH groups are taking part in the complexation of this ligand with the fluoride anion while the sulfur donor atoms are responsible for the interaction with metal cations. Using the present data on 7 and structurally related analogues (1-6), the complexation behavior is discussed comparatively from the thermodynamic point of view. Possessing four sulfur-containing pendent arms, 7 displays an enhanced hosting ability for Hg2+ in acetonitrile. As compared with 1, the calixpyrrole derivative, 7, shows a unique interaction with fluoride among the anions investigated in acetonitrile and dimethyl sulfoxide. As far as the fluoride complex is concerned, the medium effect is assessed in terms of the thermodynamics of the transfer of reactants and product from acetonitrile (reference solvent) to dimethyl sulfoxide.     

A thermodynamic study of complexation of 18-crown-6 with Zn2+, Tl+, Hg2+ and {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} cations in acetonitrile-dimethylformamide binary media and study the effect of anion on the stability constant of (18C6-Na+) complex in methanol solutions

The equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters for complex formation of 18-crown-6(18C6) with Zn²⁺, Tl⁺, Hg²⁺ and $ {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} $ cations have been determined by conductivity measurements in acetonitrile(AN)-dimethylformamide(DMF) binary solutions. 18-crown-6 forms 1:1 complexes [M:L] with Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and $ {\text{UO}}^{{{\text{2 + }}}}_{{\text{2}}} $ cations, but in the case of Tl⁺ cation, a 1:2 [M:L₂] complex is formed in most binary solutions. The thermodynamic parameters ( $ \Delta {\text{H}}^{ \circ }_{{\text{c}}} $ and $ \Delta {\text{S}}^{ \circ }_{{\text{c}}} $ ) which were obtained from temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants show that in most cases, the complexes are enthalpy destabilized but entropy stabilized and a non-monotonic behaviour is observed for variations of standard enthalpy and entropy changes versus the composition of AN/DMF binary mixed solvents. The obtained results show that the order of selectivity of 18C6 ligand for these cations changes with the composition of the mixed solvent. A non-linear relationship was observed between the stability constants (logK_f) of these complexes with the composition of AN/DMF binary solutions. The influence of the $ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{{\text{4}}} $ , $ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{{\text{3}}} $ and $ {\text{Cl}}^{ - } $ anions on the stability constant of (18C6-Na⁺) complex in methanol (MeOH) solutions was also studied by potentiometry method. The results show that the stability of (18C6-Na⁺) complex in the presence of the anions increases in order: $ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{{\text{4}}} $  >  $ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{{\text{3}}} $  >  $ {\text{Cl}}^{ - } $ .     

Serial separation of cations and anions by ion chromatography using the peak parking technique and sulfosalicylic acid as the eluent

An improvement of the peak parking technique is described for the serial determination of cations (Na⁺, , K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, , and ) using a single pump, a single eluent and a single detector. The present system used commercially-available unmodified cation exchange and anion exchange columns, which were attached to each switching valve. When 1.75 mM 5-sulfosalicylic acid was used as the eluent, serial separation of the above cations and anions was achieved in less than 20 min. The proposed ion chromatographic method was successfully applied to the serial determination of cations and anions in tap water and river water samples. The limits of detection at S/N=3 for an injection of 20 μl were 16–68 ppb (μg/l) for cations and 15–28 ppb for anions.     

Why ionic liquids can possess extra solvent power

We use the Flory-Huggins theory to demonstrate conditions of extra solvent power of ionic liquids. The short-range interactions between anions, cations, and molecules of the solute are taken into account. We find that solvent power of the ionic liquids is enhanced if non-Coulomb interactions between the anions and cations are repulsive. The mechanism responsible for the extra solvent power is related to the "shielding" of the anion-cation interactions by the molecules of the solute.     

Nanoscale assemblies of gigantic molecular {Mo154}-rings: (dimethyldioctadecylammonium)20[Mo154O462H8(H2O)70

Clusters based on the mixed-valence gigantic inorganic ring [Mo154O462H14(H2O)70]14- ({Mo154}-ring) and dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DODA) were combined to form novel molecular assemblies of an inorganic-organic hybrid molecular system as Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and cast films. (DODA)20[Mo154O462H8(H2O)70] (2) was prepared by cation exchange and was characterized by a combination of thermogravimetry, IR, UV-vis-NIR, 1H NMR, and XRD measurements. The salt 2 was soluble in common organic solvents, and the chemical stability of {Mo154}-ring encapsulated by DODA cationic surfactants in CHCl3 was found to be higher than that of the "native" sodium salt of the {Mo154}-ring in H2O. Uniform spherical vesicle-like molecular assemblies of (DODA)20[Mo154O462H8(H2O)70] were observed in dilute THF, whose average diameter of 95 nm and a normalized variance of 5.7% were confirmed by a X-ray small-angle scattering. Deposition of 2 as a cast film showed circular domains with a typical diameter of approximately 100 nm, indicating possible similarities between solution and surface-deposited structures. The resulting LB films of salt 2 were transferred from an acidic buffer subphase with pH = 1.5 onto mica, giving a two-dimensional film surface with a unity transfer ratio. Further, the electronic absorption spectra of the LB multilayer were consistent with the classic type II mixed-valence MoV/MoVI electronic state well know for molybdenum blue {Mo154}-ring systems, and it appears that on the surface the plane of the {Mo154}-ring is approximately parallel to the substrate surface, as indicated by polarized electronic spectra, while the alkyl chains of DODA were relatively normal to the substrate surface. Therefore, the layer between the {Mo154}-rings and DODA cations was alternately stacked along the direction of film propagation. Finally, it was found that the surface morphology of the cast and LB films was determined by the molecular assembly of (DODA)20[Mo154O462H8(H2O)70] in solution and the air-water interface, respectively.     

Extraction of Polyoxometallate Anions Containing Tungsten Towards Ionic Liquids

Removal of tungstate \(\left( {{{\text{WO}}_{4}^{2-}}} \right)\) and metatungstate \(\left( {{{\text{W}}_{12} {\text{O}}_{39}^{6 - }} } \right)\) anions from aqueous solutions was studied by precipitation and liquid–liquid extraction using ionic liquids and without requiring any additional extraction agent. Hydrophilic ionic liquids were found to be very efficient at precipitating metatungstate anion and not to precipitate tungstate anion. Similarly, the large metatungstate anion was quantitatively removed from water at low pH towards a hydrophobic ionic liquid. Tungstate anions, in contrast, are not removed from water. The mechanism of extraction and influence of the charge density of anions on the extraction of W(VI) based anions are discussed.     

Reactions of a {Mo16}-type polyoxometalate cluster with electrophiles: a synthetic, theoretical and magnetic investigation

A medium-nuclearity mixed-valence polyoxomolybdate [H2Mo16O52]10-={Mo16}(1a) was synthesized using an approach that employed protonated hexamethylenetetramine (HMTAH+) as counter ion and yielded (HMTAH)10 1a.34 H2O (1). The {Mo16} cluster anion exhibits significant nucleophilicity and traps electrophiles such as divalent transition metal ions, resulting in a family of isostructural compounds based on {Mo16M2}-type anions [M(H2O)8H2Mo16O52]6- (M=FeII (2), MnII (3), CoII (4)). The highly reactive nature of the {Mo16} system is also revealed by rearrangement and decomposition reactions of to either slowly form a sodium-bridged heptamolybdate-based chain compound (5) when left in the reaction solution or, in the presence of very high concentrations of electrophiles, to heptamolybdate-based cluster compounds [M2(H2O)9Mo7O24]2- of the {M2Mo7}-type (M=FeII (6), MnII (7)). Compounds were characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and density functional theory calculations.