Structural Characterization of the Complex between Hen Egg‐White Lysozyme and ZrIV‐Substituted Keggin Polyoxometalate as Artificial Protease

Successful co‐crystallization of a noncovalent complex between hen egg‐white lysozyme (HEWL) and the monomeric Zr^IV‐substituted Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) (Zr1 K1), (Et₂NH₂)₃[Zr(PW₁₁O₃₉)] ( 1 ), has been achieved, and its single‐crystal X‐ray structure has been determined. The dimeric Zr^IV‐substituted Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (Zr1 K2), (Et₂NH₂)₁₀[Zr(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] ( 2 ), has been previously shown to exhibit remarkable selectivity towards HEWL hydrolysis. The reported X‐ray structure shows that the hydrolytically active Zr^IV‐substituted Keggin POM exists as a monomeric species. Prior to hydrolysis, this monomer interacts with HEWL in the vicinity of the previously identified cleavage sites found at Trp28‐Val29 and Asn44‐Arg45, through water‐mediated H‐bonding and electrostatic interactions. Three binding sites are observed at the interface of the negatively charged Keggin POM and the positively charged regions of HEWL at: 1) Gly16, Tyr20, and Arg21; 2) Asn44, Arg45, and Asn46; and 3) Arg128.     

Supramolecular networks supported by the anion…π linkage of Keggin‐type heteropolyoxotungstates

Anion…π interactions are newly recognized weak supramolecular forces which are relevant to many types of electron‐deficient aromatic substrates. Being less competitive with respect to conventional hydrogen bonding, anion…π interactions are only rarely considered as a crystal‐structure‐defining factor. Their significance dramatically increases for polyoxometalate (POM) species, which offer extended oxide surfaces for maintaining dense aromatic/inorganic stacks. The structures of tetrakis(caffeinium) μ₁₂‐silicato‐tetracosa‐μ₂‐oxido‐dodecaoxidododecatungsten trihydrate, (C₈H₁₁N₄O₂)₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀]·3H₂O, (1), and tris(theobrominium) μ₁₂‐phosphato‐tetracosa‐μ₂‐oxido‐dodecaoxidododecatungsten ethanol sesquisolvate, (C₇H₉N₄O₂)₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]·1.5C₂H₅OH, (2), support the utility of anion…π interactions as a special kind of supramolecular synthon controlling the structures of ionic lattices. Both caffeinium [(HCaf)⁺ in (1)] and theobrominium cations [(HTbr)⁺ in (2)] reveal double stacking patterns at both axial sides of the aromatic frameworks, leading to the generation of anion…π…anion bridges. The latter provide the rare face‐to‐face linkage of the anions. In (1), every square face of the metal–oxide cuboctahedra accepts the interaction and the above bridges yield flat square nets, i.e. {(HCaf⁺)₂[SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4?}_n. Two additional cations afford single stacks only and they terminate the connectivity. Salt (2) retains a two‐dimensional (2D) motif of square nets, with anion…π…anion bridges involving two of the three (HTbr)⁺ cations. The remaining cations complete a fivefold anion…π environment of [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3?, acting as terminal groups. This single anion…π interaction is influenced by the specific pairing of (HTbr)⁺ cations by double amide‐to‐amide hydrogen bonding. Nevertheless, invariable 2D patterns in (1) and (2) suggest the dominant role of anion…π interactions as the structure‐governing factor, which is applicable to the construction of noncovalent linkages involving Keggin‐type oxometalates.     

Cyclic Voltammetry Study of the Mn‐Substituted Polyoxoanions [MnII4(H2O)2(H4AsW15O56)2]18− and [((MnIIOH2)MnII2PW9O34)2(PW6O26)]17−: Electrodeposition of Manganese Oxides Electrocatalysts for Dioxygen Reduction

The electrochemical behavior of two manganese (Mn)‐substituted polyoxoanions, the dissymmetrical Dawson sandwich‐type [Mn^II₄(H₂O)₂(H₄AsW₁₅O₅₆)₂]^18? and the Keggin sandwich banana‐shaped [((Mn^IIOH₂)Mn^II₂PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]^17? is investigated. At pH 5, the oxidation of the Mn^II‐centers results in one oxidation wave for [Mn^II₄(H₂O)₂(H₄AsW₁₅O₅₆)₂]^18? and two oxidation waves for [((Mn^IIOH₂)Mn^II₂PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]^17?. To the best of our knowledge, presence of the second Mn‐based wave is rarely observed in the electrochemistry of Mn‐containing polyoxometalates. Deposition of Mn‐oxides electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction is noticed by cyclic voltammetry, which can be distinguished by the significant positive shift in potentials of the dioxygen reduction reaction.     

The electronic structure of Keggin anion (PW12O40)3− and catalytic properties

The electronic structure of the Keggin anion (PW₁₂O₄₀)^3? has been calculated by the DV–Xα method. The nature of the chemical bonds of the Keggin anion and the relationship between electronic structure and catalytic behavior are discussed. At the same time, the difference in electronic structure and the relationship in catalytic behavior between (PW₁₂O₄₀)^3? and (PMo₁₂O₄₀)^3? are compared. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cerium(IV) Hexanuclear Clusters from Cerium(III) Precursors: Molecular Models for Oxidative Growth of Ceria Nanoparticles

Reactions of cerium(III) nitrate, Ce(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O, with different carboxylic acids, such as pivalic acid, benzoic acid, and 4‐methoxybenzoic acid, in the presence of a tridentate N,N,N‐donor ligand, diethylenetriamine (L¹), under aerobic conditions yielded the corresponding cerium hexamers Ce₆O₈(O₂CtBu)₈(L¹)₄ ( 1 ), Ce₆O₈(O₂CC₆H₅)₈(L¹)₄ ( 2 ), and Ce₆O₈(O₂CC₆H₄‐4‐OCH₃)₈(L¹)₄ ( 3 ). Hexamers 1 , 2 , and 3 contain the same octahedral Ce^IV₆O₈ core, in which all interstitial oxygen atoms are connected by μ₃‐oxo bridging ligands. In contrast, treatment of the Ce^IV precursor (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆ (CAN) with pivalic acid and the ligand L¹ under the same conditions afforded Ce₆O₄(OH)₄(O₂CtBu)₁₂(L¹)₂ ( 4 ), exhibiting a deformed octahedral Ce^IV₆O₄(OH)₄ core containing μ₃‐oxo and μ₃‐hydroxo moieties in defined positions. In contrast to the formation of 1 – 3 , the use of N‐methyldiethanolamine (L) in the reaction with Ce(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O and pivalic acid afforded a previously reported Ce^III dinuclear cluster, Ce₂(O₂CtBu)₆L₂, even in the presence of dioxygen. ESI‐MS analysis of the reaction mixture clearly indicated the importance of the ligand L¹ in promoting oxidation of the Ce^III aggregates, [Ce_n(O₂CtBu)_3n(L¹)₂], which is necessary for the formation of Ce^IV hexamers.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of two novel tungstovanadophosphate derivatives

Two novel tungstovanadophosphate derivatives, namely [Fe(phen)₃]₂[PW₈^VIV^VV₅^IVO₄₂] · H₂O (1) and [Fe(phen)₃]₂[PW₉V₃O₄₀] (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESR, XPS, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure analyses reveal that the ‘mixed-addenda’ Keggin polyoxoanion in 1 is decorated with VO²⁺ units, such that four V atoms are disordered over eight metal sites; the anion in compound 2 has a typical Keggin structure with three V atoms disordered over 12 metal sites. The two compounds are ionic crystals with slightly different packing modes for the polyoxoanions and [Fe(phen)₃]³⁺ cations. π–π stacking interactions between phen molecules, weak hydrogen bonding interactions between phen ligands and polyoxoanions, and electrostatic forces lead to an extended 3D supramolecular framework. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hybrid Coordination Networks Constructed from ɛ‐Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalates and Rigid Imidazole‐Based Bridging Ligands as New Carriers for Noble‐Metal Catalysts

Three hybrid coordination networks that were constructed from ?‐Keggin polyoxometalate building units and imidazole‐based bridging ligands were prepared under hydrothermal conditions, that is, H[(Hbimb)₂(bimb){Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? 6 H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(Hbimbp)(bimbp)₃{Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? DMF ? 3.5 H₂O ( 2 ), and H[Zn₂(timb)₂(bimba)₂Cl₂{Zn₄PMo^V8Mo^VI₄O₄₀}] ? 7 H₂O ( 3 ) (bimb=1,4‐bis(1‐imidazolyl)benzene, bimbp=4,4′‐bis(imidazolyl)biphenyl, timb=1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl)benzene, bimba=3,5‐bis(1‐imidazolyl)benzenamine). All three compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mixed valence of the Mo centers was analyzed by XPS spectroscopy and bond‐valence sum calculations. In all three compounds, the ?‐Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) units acted as nodes that were connected by rigid imidazole‐based bridging ligands to form hybrid coordination networks. In compound 1 , 1D zigzag chains extended to form a 3D supramolecular architecture through intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Compound 2 consisted of 2D curved sheets, whilst compound 3 contained chiral 2D networks. Because of the intrinsic reducing properties of ?‐Keggin POM species, noble‐metal nanoparticles were loaded onto these POM‐based coordination networks. Thus, compounds 1 – 3 were successfully loaded with Ag nanoparticles, and the corresponding composite materials exhibited high catalytic activities for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol.     

Incorporating Polyoxometalates into a Porous MOF Greatly Improves Its Selective Adsorption of Cationic Dyes

Various polyoxometalates (POMs) were successfully immobilized to the mesoporous coordination polymer MIL‐101 resulting in a series of POM–MOF composite materials POM@MIL‐101 (POM=K₄PW₁₁VO₄₀, H₃PW₁₂O₄₀, K₄SiW₁₂O₄₀). These materials were synthesized by a simple one‐pot reaction of Keggin POMs, tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), terephthalic acid (H₂bdc), and Cr³⁺ ions. XRD, FTIR, thermogravimetric analyses (TG), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) collectively confirmed the successful combination of POMs and the porous framework. Further, these composites POM@MIL‐101 with different loading of POMs were achieved by variation of the POM dosage. Notably, the uptake capacity of MIL‐101 towards organic pollutants in aqueous solution was significantly improved by immobilization of hydrophilic POMs into cages of MIL‐101. An uptake capacity of 371 mg g^?1, comparable to that of the graphene oxide sponges, and much higher than that of the commercial activated carbon, was achieved at room temperature in 5 min when dipping 20 mg PW₁₁V@MIL‐101 in the methylene blue (MB) solution (100 mL of 100 mg L^?1 MB solution). Further study revealed that the POM@MIL‐101 composite materials not only exhibited a fast adsorption rate towards dye molecules, but also possessed of selective adsorption ability of the cationic dyes in wastewater. For example, the adsorption efficiency of PW₁₁V@MIL‐101 (10 mg) towards MB (100 mL of 10 mg L^?1) could reach 98 % in the initial 5 min, and it could capture MB dye molecules from the binary mixture of the MB and MO with similar size. Also, the POM@MIL‐101 materials could be readily recycled and reused, and no POM leached in the dye adsorption process.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of the banana-shaped tungstophosphates: [M6(H2O)2(PW9O34)2(PW6O26)]17− (MII=NiII,CoII)

Two new banana-shaped tungstophosphates [M₆(H₂O)₂(PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]^{17 ?} (M^II?=?Ni^II, Co^II) incorporating two types of lacunary polyoxometalate units have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and UV spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses show that Na₆H₁₁[Ni₆(H₂O)₂(PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]?·?32H₂O (1) and Na₇H₁₀[Co₆(H₂O)₂(PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]?· 31H₂O (2) are generated from two tri-M^II substituted B-α-[(MOH₂)M₂PW₉O₃₄] Keggin units connected by a hexavacant [PW₆O₂₆]^11? Keggin fragment, leading to the M^II-containing banana-shaped tungstophosphates. Magnetic properties of 2 show decrease of the molar magnetic susceptibility at higher temperatures results from spin-orbit coupling of Co^II and antiferromagnetic interactions whereas the maximum at the lower temperatures is indicative of the ferromagnetic interactions within the trinuclear Co^II spin cluster in the sandwich belt.     

The First 3‐Connected SrSi2‐Type 3D Chiral Framework Constructed from {Ni6PW9} Building Units

A novel 3‐connected SrSi₂‐type 3D chiral framework constructed from hexa‐Ni^II‐cluster‐substituted polyoxometalate (POM) units [Ni(enMe)₂]₃[WO₄]₃[Ni₆(enMe)₃(OH)₃PW₉O₃₄]₂?9H₂O ( 1 ) (enMe=1,2‐diaminopropane) has been made from a hydrothermal synthetic method. This POM represents the first 3D framework based on {Ni₆PW₉} units and {WO₄} connectors.     

Titanium(IV) polynuclear hydroxo complexes stabilized in solution by [PW11O39]7? heteropolyanion

[PW₁₁O₃₉]^7– heteropolyanion (HPA) stabilizes Ti(IV) in aqueous solution at Ti:PW₁₁ ratios from 1 to 12 and pH 1–3. Ti(IV) is completely precipitated under these conditions in the absence of HPA. Differential dissolution phase analysis, optical, IR,³¹P and¹⁷O NMR spectra show that one Ti(IV) ion is incorporated into the Keggin lattice. The other ions, most probably, are located on the HPA surface in the form of oligomeric hydroxo fragments: [PW₁₁Ti^IVO₄₀·Ti_n–1 ^IVO_xH_y]^k–. Both types of Ti(IV) ions bind peroxo groups on interaction of the complex with H₂O₂.     

Aggregation of Giant Cerium–Bismuth Tungstate Clusters into a 3D Porous Framework with High Proton Conductivity

The exploration of high nuclearity molecular metal oxide clusters and their reactivity is a challenge for chemistry and materials science. Herein, we report an unprecedented giant molecular cerium–bismuth tungstate superstructure formed by self‐assembly from simple metal oxide precursors in aqueous solution. The compound, {[W₁₄Ce^IV₆O₆₁]([W₃Bi₆Ce^III₃(H₂O)₃O₁₄][B‐α‐BiW₉O₃₃]₃)₂}^34? was identified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and features 104 metal centers, a relative molar mass of ca. 24 000 and is ca. 3.0×2.0×1.7 nm³ in size. The cluster anion is assembled around a central {Ce₆} octahedron which is stabilized by several molecular metal oxide shells. Six trilacunary Keggin anions ([B‐α‐BiW₉O₃₃]^9?) cap the superstructure and limit its growth. In the crystal lattice, water‐filled channels with diameters of ca. 0.5 nm are observed, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows pronounced proton conductivity even at low temperature.     

Preparation and StructuralCharacterization of RuII‐DMSO and RuIII‐DMSO‐substituted α‐Keggin‐type Phosphotungstates, [PW11O39RuIIDMSO]5– and [PW11O39RuIIIDMSO]4–, and Catalytic Activity for Water Oxidation

Ru^II‐ and Ru^III‐substituted α‐Keggin‐type phosphotungstates with a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ligand, [PW₁₁O₃₉Ru^IIDMSO]^5– ( 1 ) and [PW₁₁O₃₉Ru^IIIDMSO]^4– ( 2 ), were synthesized. Compound 1 was prepared by reaction of [PW₁₁O₃₉]^7– with [Ru^II(DMSO)₄]Cl₂ in water at 125 °C under hydrothermal conditions and was isolated as a cesium salt. Compound 2 was prepared by reaction of 1 with bromine in water at 60 °C and was isolated as a cesium salt. The compounds were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, elemental analysis, UV/Vis, IR,³¹P NMR, ¹⁸³W NMR, ¹H NMR, and XANES (Ru K‐edge and L₃‐edge)spectroscopic methods. Single crystal structural analysis of 1 revealed that Ru^II is incorporated in the α‐Keggin framework and coordinated by DMSO through a Ru–S bond. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 indicated that the incorporated Ru^II‐DMSO is reversibly oxidizable to the Ru^III‐DMSO derivative 2 . Compound 1 showed catalytic activity for water oxidation in the presence of cerium ammonium nitrate as an oxidant.     

Enhanced Macroanion Recognition of Superchaotropic Keggin Clusters Achieved by Synergy of Anion–π and Anion–Cation Interactions

Keggin clusters are the most widely used polyoxometalate building blocks for the construction advanced materials, but effective methods for precisely recognizing the isostructural analogues of Keggins are still limited. In this study we employed the zwitterionic molecule 4,4′-dipyridyl N,N′-dioxide as a recognition receptor to specifically bind to the three Keggin analogues PW₁₂O₄₀³⁻, PMo₁₂O₄₀³⁻, and SiW₁₂O₄₀⁴⁻, which separately co-assembled into three different types of spherical charged colloids of different sizes. The recognition phenomena were confirmed by electrochemical methods and their crystallization behavior. Compared with solely anion–cation interaction-driven systems, the synergism with the anion–π interactions between the superchaotropic Keggins and the electron-deficient pyridine rings is believed to enhance the recognition. This observation is intriguing as the long-range solution assembly of Keggins is mainly driven by short-range anion–π interactions. Our results show that the little-noticed hydration shell of Keggins is significantly influenced by the superchaotropic effect, leading to differentiated binding affinity to the receptors and more obvious recognition phenomena between tungsten/molybdenum Keggin analogues.     

Classical Keggin Intercalated into Layered Double Hydroxides: Facile Preparation and Catalytic Efficiency in Knoevenagel Condensation Reactions

The family of polyoxometalate (POM) intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite materials has shown great promise for the design of functional materials with numerous applications. It is known that intercalation of the classical Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) of [PW₁₂O₄₀]^3? (PW₁₂) into layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is very unlikely to take place by conventional ion exchange methods due to spatial and geometrical restrictions. In this paper, such an intercalated compound of Mg_0.73Al_0.22(OH)₂ [PW₁₂O₄₀]_0.04?0.98 H₂O (Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂) has been successfully obtained by applying a spontaneous flocculation method. The Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂ has been fully characterized by using a wide range of methods (XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, EDX, XPS, FT‐IR, NMR, BET). XRD patterns of Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂ exhibit no impurity phase usually observed next to the (003) diffraction peak. Subsequent application of the Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂ as catalyst in Knoevenagel condensation reactions of various aldehydes and ketones with Z‐CH₂‐Z′ type substrates (ethyl cyanoacetate and malononitrile) at 60 °C in mixed solvents (V_2‐propanol:V_water=2:1) demonstrated highly efficient catalytic activity. The synergistic effect between the acidic and basic sites of the Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂ composite proved to be crucial for the efficiency of the condensation reactions. Additionally, the Mg₃Al‐PW₁₂‐catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate demonstrated the highest turnover number (TON) of 47 980 reported so far for this reaction.     

One‐pot synthesis of trifluoromethylated benzimidazolines catalyzed by phosphotungstic acid with a low catalyst loading

The inexpensive Keggin‐type polyoxometalate, i.e. H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ was found to be an effect catalyst for the condensation‐cyclization reaction of 1,2‐phenylenediamines and trifluoromethyl ketones to synthesize trifluoromethylated heterocycles, including benzimidazolines, benzoxazolines and benzothiazolines. Only 1 mol% of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ was required in this work, and the synergistic effect of proton and polyanion was vital for the reaction. Significantly, the POM catalyst could be easily recovered by using a biphasic solvent system (H₂O/toluene, V/V = 1:5), and reused at least for four times without significant loss in activity.     

Stabilization of High‐Valence Ruthenium with Silicotungstate Ligands: Preparation,Structural Characterization,and Redox Studies of Ruthenium(III)‐Substituted α‐Keggin‐Type Silicotungstates with Pyridine Ligands, [SiW11O39RuIII(Py)]5−

Ruthenium(III)‐substituted α‐Keggin‐type silicotungstates with pyridine‐based ligands, [SiW₁₁O₃₉Ru^III(Py)]^5?, (Py: pyridine ( 1 ), 4‐pyridine‐carboxylic acid ( 2 ), 4,4′‐bipyridine ( 3 ), 4‐pyridine‐acetamide ( 4 ), and 4‐pyridine‐methanol ( 5 )) were prepared by reacting [SiW₁₁O₃₉Ru^III(H₂O)]^5? with the pyridine derivatives in water at 80 °C and then isolated as their hydrated cesium salts. These compounds were characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV/Vis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, titration, and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) analysis (Ru K‐edge and L₃‐edge). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of compounds 2 , 3 , and 4 revealed that Ru^III was incorporated in the α‐Keggin framework and was coordinated by pyridine derivatives through a Ru? N bond. In the solid state, compounds 2 and 3 formed a dimer through π? π interaction of the pyridine moieties, whereas they existed as monomers in solution. CV indicated that the incorporated Ru^III–Py was reversibly oxidized into the Ru^IV–Py derivative and reduced into the Ru^II–Py derivative.     

Organosilyl/‐germyl Polyoxotungstate Hybrids for Covalent Grafting onto Silicon Surfaces: Towards Molecular Memories

Organosilyl/‐germyl polyoxotungstate hybrids [PW₉O₃₄(tBuSiO)₃Ge(CH₂)₂CO₂H]^3? ( 1 a ), [PW₉O₃₄(tBuSiO)₃Ge(CH₂)₂CONHCH₂C?CH]^3? ( 2 a ), [PW₁₁O₃₉Ge(CH₂)₂CO₂H]^4? ( 3 a ), and [PW₁₁O₃₉Ge(CH₂)₂CONHCH₂C≡CH]^4? ( 4 a ) have been prepared as tetrabutylammonium salts and characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of (NBu₄)₃ 1 a? H₂O has been determined and the electrochemical behavior of 1 a and 2 a has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Covalent grafting of 2 a onto an n‐type silicon wafer has been achieved and the electrochemical behavior of the grafted clusters has been investigated. This represents the first example of covalent grafting of Keggin‐type clusters onto a Si surface and a step towards the realization of POM‐based multilevel memory devices.     

Polyoxometalates as a Novel Class of Artificial Proteases: Selective Hydrolysis of Lysozyme under Physiological pH and Temperature Promoted by a Cerium(IV) Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalate

Hen‐egg‐white lysozyme (HEWL) is specifically cleaved at the Trp28–Val29 and Asn44–Arg45 peptide bonds in the presence of a Keggin‐type [Ce(α‐PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]^10? polyoxometalate (POM; 1 ) at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. The reactivity of 1 towards a range of dipeptides was also examined and the calculated reaction rates were comparable to those observed for the hydrolysis of HEWL. Experiments with α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA), a protein that is structurally highly homologous to HEWL but has a different surface potential, showed no evidence of hydrolysis, which indicates the importance of electrostatic interactions between 1 and the protein surface for the hydrolytic reaction to occur. A combination of spectroscopic techniques was used to reveal the molecular interactions between HEWL and 1 that lead to hydrolysis. NMR spectroscopy titration experiments showed that on protein addition the intensity of the ³¹P NMR signal of 1 gradually decreased due to the formation of a large protein/polyoxometalate complex and completely disappeared when the HEWL/ 1 ratio reached 1:2. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements of HEWL indicate that addition of 1 results in a clear decrease in the signal at λ=208 nm, which is attributed to changes in the α‐helical content of the protein. ¹⁵N–¹H heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR measurements of HEWL in the presence of 1 reveal that the interaction is mainly observed for residues that are located in close proximity to the first site in the α‐helical part of the structure (Trp28–Val29). The less pronounced NMR spectroscopic shifts around the second cleavage site (Asn44–Arg45), which is found in the β‐strand region of the protein, might be caused by weaker metal‐directed binding, compared with strong POM‐directed binding at the first site.     

Homo‐ and Heterovalent Polynuclear Cerium and Cerium/Manganese Aggregates

Reactions of Ce^III(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O or (NH₄)₂[Ce^IV(NO₃)₆] with Mn‐containing starting materials result in seven novel polynuclear Ce or Ce/Mn complexes with pivalato (^tBuCO ) and, in most cases, auxiliary N,O‐ or N,O,O‐donor ligands. With nuclearities ranging from 6–14, the compounds present aesthetically pleasing structures. Complexes [Ce^IV₆(μ₃‐O)₄(μ₃‐OH)₄(μ‐O₂C^tBu)₁₂] ( 1 ), [Ce^IV₆Mn^III₄(μ₄‐O)₄(μ₃‐O)₄(O₂C^tBu)₁₂(ea)₄(OAc)₄]?4 H₂O?4 MeCN (ea^?=2‐aminoethanolato; 2 ), [Ce^IV₆Mn^III₈(μ₄‐O)₄(μ₃‐O)₈(pye)₄(O₂C^tBu)₁₈]₂[Ce^IV₆(μ₃‐O)₄(μ₃‐OH)₄(O₂C^tBu)₁₀(NO₃)₄] [Ce^III(NO₃)₅(H₂O)]?21 MeCN (pye^?=pyridine‐2‐ethanolato; 3 ), and [Ce^IV₆Ce^III₂Mn^III₂(μ₄‐O)₄(μ₃‐O)₄(^tbdea)₂(O₂C^tBu)₁₂(NO₃)₂(OAc)₂]?4 CH₂Cl₂ (^tbdea^2?=2,2′‐(tert‐butylimino]bis[ethanolato]; 4 ) all contain structures based on an octahedral {Ce^IV₆(μ₃‐O)₈} core, in which many of the O‐atoms are either protonated to give (μ₃‐OH)^? hydroxo ligands or coordinate to further metal centers (Mn^III or Ce^III) to give interstitial (μ₄‐O)^2? oxo bridges. The decanuclear complex [Ce^IV₈Ce^IIIMn^III(μ₄‐O)₃(μ₃‐O)₃(μ₃‐OH)₂(μ‐OH)(bdea)₄(O₂C^tBu)_9.5(NO₃)_3.5(OAc)₂]?1.5 MeCN (bdea^2?=2,2′‐(butylimino]bis[ethanolato]; 5 ) contains a rather compact Ce^IV₇ core with the Ce^III and Mn^III centers well‐separated from each other on the periphery. The aggregate in [Ce^IV₄Mn^IV₂(μ₃‐O)₄(bdea)₂(O₂C^tBu)₁₀(NO₃)₂]?4 MeCN ( 6 ) is based on a quasi‐planar {Mn^IV₂Ce^IV₄(μ₃‐O)₄} core made up of four edge‐sharing {Mn^IVCe^IV₂(μ₃‐O)} or {Ce^IV₃(μ₃‐O)} triangles. The structure of [Ce^IV₃Mn^IV₄Mn^III(μ₄‐O)₂(μ₃‐O)₇(O₂C^tBu)₁₂(NO₃)(furan)]?6 H₂O ( 7 ?6 H₂O) can be considered as {Mn^IV₂Ce^IV₂O₄} and distorted {Mn^IV₂Mn^IIICe^IVO₄} cubane units linked through a central (μ₄‐O) bridge. The Ce₆Mn₈ equals the highest nuclearity yet reported for a heterometallic Ce/Mn aggregate. In contrast to most of the previously reported heterometallic Ce/Mn systems, which contain only Ce^IV and either Mn^IV or Mn^III, some of the aggregates presented here show mixed valency, either Mn^IV/Mn^III (see 7 ) or Ce^IV/Ce^III (see 4 and 5 ). Interestingly, some of the compounds, including the heterovalent Ce^IV/Ce^III 4 , could be obtained from either Ce^III(NO₃)₃?6 H₂O or (NH₄)₂[Ce^IV(NO₃)₆] as starting material.