Controlling transformations in the assembly of polyoxometalate clusters: {Mo11V7}, {Mo17V8} and {Mo72V30}

The reaction of molybdate with vanadium(V) in the presence of sulfite anions is explored showing how, via cation control, stepwise assembly through the {Mo(11)V(7)} cluster yields a {M(25)} cluster-based compound, [Mo(VI)(11)V(V)(5)V(IV)(2)O(52)(μ(9)-SO(3))(Mo(VI)(6)V(V)O(22))](10-) (1a), which was first discovered using cryospray mass spectrometry, whereas switching the cation away from ammonium allows the direct formation of the spherical 'Keplerate' {Mo(72)V(30)} cluster.     

Synthesis and structural and magnetic characterization of cobalt(II) phosphonate cage compounds

Reaction of cobalt salts with phosphonic acids in the presence of 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine as a co-ligand, normally in its deprotonated form, leads to a series of new polymetallic cobalt cages. The most common structural type is a {Co(14)} cage which resembles a fragment of cobalt hydroxide. Variation of the phosphonate present and the cobalt salt leads to {Co(6)}, {Co(8)}, {Co(10)}, {Co(11)}, {Co(12)}, {Co(13)}, and {Co(20)} cages, all of which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Magnetic studies of these cages show a general decline in the product chi(m)T with T, but for {Co(6)}, {Co(8)}, and {Co(12)} there are maxima at low temperature, which suggests nondiamagnetic ground states. Investigation of the dynamic behavior of the magnetization of these complexes shows that the octanuclear cage displays slow relaxation of magnetization.     

Assembly of a family of mixed metal {Mo:V} polyoxometalates templated by TeO3(2-): {Mo12V12Te3}, {Mo12V12Te2} and {Mo17V8Te}

The influence of the pyramidal heteroanion, TeO(3)(2-) in the self-assembly of mixed metal (Mo/V) systems, is demonstrated by the isolation of three novel mixed-metal, mixed-valence architectures, {Mo(12)V(12)Te(3)} (1), {Mo(12)V(12)Te(2)} (2) and {Mo(17)V(8)Te} (3) with the tellurium centres exhibiting the novel μ(8)-TeO(4) and μ(9)-TeO(3) coordination modes while compounds 1 and 2 were discovered utilizing ESI mass spectrometry.     

A C2-symmetric antimonato polyoxovanadate cluster [V16Sb4O42(H2O)](8-) derived from the {V18O42} archetype

The new antimonato polyoxovanadate [V(IV)(16)Sb(III)(4)O(42)(H(2)O)](8-) cluster (1a) is the main structural motif of the solvothermally obtained compound {(trenH(2))Zn(tren)}(2)[V(16)Sb(4)O(42)(H(2)O)]·xH(2)O (x = 6-10) (1) (tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine). The C(2)-symmetric cluster structure is closely related to the {V(18)O(42)} archetype. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 30.7070(19) ?, b = 13.9512(5) ?, c = 23.1435(14) ?, β = 128.076(6)°, and V = 7804.8(7) ?(3). The orientation of the [Sb(III)(2)O(5)](4-) groups in each cluster leads to intermolecular Sb···O contacts and the formation of channels between the clusters. [Zn(tren)(trenH(2))] complexes with trigonal bipyramidal coordination environments are located between the [V(16)Sb(4)O(42)(H(2)O)](8-) anions, and form a three dimensional network with them via strong N-H···O hydrogen bonds. Up to 250 °C crystal water molecules are emitted, which are reversibly incorporated in humid air.     

Solid state coordination chemistry of metal oxides: structural consequences of fluoride incorporation into the oxovanadium-copper-bisterpy-{O3P(CH2)nPO3}4- system, n= 1-5 (bisterpy = 2,2':4',4":2",2"'-quaterpyridyl-6', 6"-di-2-pyridine)

Hydrothermal reactions of a vanadate source, an appropriate Cu(II) source, bisterpy and an organodiphosphonate, H2O3P(CH2)nPO3H2(n= 1-5), in the presence of HF, yielded a family of materials of the type oxyfluorovanadium/copper-bisterpy/organodiphosphonate. Under similar reaction conditions, variations in diphosphonate tether length n provided the one-dimensional [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V2F2O2{HO3PCH2PO3}{O3PCH2PO3}](1) and [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V2F4O4{HO3P(CH2)2PO3H}](3), the two-dimensional [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V2F2O2(H2O)2{HO3P(CH2)2PO3}2] x 2H2O (2 x 2H2O), [{Cu2(bisterpy)(H2O2}V2F2O2{O3P(CH2)3PO3}{HO3P(CH2)3PO3H}(4) and [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V4F4O4(OH)(H2O){HO3P(CH2)5PO3}{O3P(CH2)5PO3}] x H2O (9 x H2O) and the three-dimensional [{Cu2(bisterpy)}3V8F6O17{HO3P(CH2)3PO3}4]0.8H2O (5 x 0.8H2O), [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V4F2O6{O3P(CH2)4PO3}2](8) and [{Cu2(bisterpy)(H2O)}2V8F4O8(OH)4{HO3P(CH2)5PO3H}2{O3P(CH2)5PO)}3] x 4.8H2O (10 x 4.8H2O). In addition, two members of the oxovanadium/Cu2(bisterpy)/organodiphosphonate family [{Cu2(bisterpy)}V2O4{HO3P(CH2)3PO3}2](6) and [{Cu2(bisterpy)}3V4O8(OH)2{O3P(CH2)3PO3}2{HO3P(CH2)3PO3}2] x 5H2O (7 x 5H2O) cocrystallized from the reaction mixture which provided 5. The overall architectures reveal embedded substructures based on V/P/O(F) clusters, chains, networks, and frameworks. In contrast to the oxovanadium/Cu2(bisterpy)/ organodiphosphonate family, several of the materials of this study also exhibit the direct condensation of vanadium polyhedra to produce binuclear and/or tetranuclear building units.     

Organoruthenium derivative of the cyclic [H7P8W48O184]33- anion: [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27-

Reaction of [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 with [H7P8W48O184]33- (P8W48) in aqueous acidic medium results in the organometallic derivative [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27- (1); in addition to the four {Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)} units, an unusual WO6 group with four equatorial, terminal ligands is also grafted to the crown-shaped P8W48 precursor.     

Solution identification and solid state characterisation of a heterometallic polyoxometalate {Mo(11)V(7)}: [Mo(VI)(11)V(V)(5)V(IV)(2)O(52)(mu(9)-SO(3))](7-)

A polyoxomolybdenum/vanadium-sulfite {M(18)} cluster-based compound, [Mo(VI)(11)V(V)(5)V(IV)(2)O(52)(mu(9)-SO(3))](7-), is reported that exhibits a unique structural motif, arising from the incorporation of five V(V) and two V(IV) ions into a {M(18)} cluster framework templated by SO(3)(2-); this cluster compostion was first identified using cryospray mass spectrometry.     

Magnetostructural D correlations in hexacoordinated cobalt(II) complexes

The magnetostructural D correlation for hexacoordinated cobalt(II) complexes is outlined. The structural and magnetic properties of a series of mononuclear cobalt(II) complexes with the general formulas [Co(II)(L)(6)]X(2), [Co(II)(L)(2)X(2)], and [Co(II)(L)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(car)(2)] have been investigated where the coordination sphere is formed by nitrogen/oxygen-donor heterocycle (L), carboxylato (car), aqua, and chlorido ligands. The chromophores of these compounds involve {CoN(6)}, {CoO(6)}, {CoO(4)O'(2)}, {CoN(2)O(2)O'(2)}, and {CoN(2)O(2)Cl(2)}. All complexes were subjected to magnetochemical investigation down to 2 K (SQUID susceptibility and magnetization measurements). Most of the studied complexes show magnetic behavior typical for zero-field-splitting systems. The magnetism of the complex [Co(H(2)O)(6)](6-OHnic)(2) reflects the presence of the magnetic angular momentum in the ground-state crystal-field term. The obtained values of the magnetic anisotropy (D or δ) have been correlated with the structural distortion of the coordination polyhedron. This correlation can be understood with the help of crystal-field theory, where the magnetic anisotropy parameters are related to the splitting of the lowest crystal-field multiplets.     

Structures and magnetism of {Ni2Na2}, {Ni4} and {Ni6(II)Ni(III)} 2-hydroxy-3-alkoxy-benzaldehyde clusters

Three polynuclear complexes, [NiNa(μ(1,1,1)-N(3))(μ-hmb)(2)(DMF)](2), (1), [Ni(4)(μ(3)-OMe)(4)(heb)(4)(MeOH)(1.05)(H(2)O)(2.95)], (2) and [Ni(III)(OH)(6)(hmb)(6)Ni(II)(6)]·(ClO(4))(3) (3) (Hhmb = 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde; Hheb = 2-hydroxy-3-ethoxy-benzaldehyde), were prepared by reaction of the appropriate ligand with nickel(II) perchloride hexahydrate under solvothermal conditions. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a centrosymmetric heterotetranuclear cluster which represents the first nickel complex to possess two connected face-sharing cubes structure {Ni(2)Na(2)N(2)O(4)}. Compound 2 has a tetranuclear Ni cluster with a cubane topology in which the Ni(II) and the oxygen atoms from the methanol ligands occupying alternate vertices of the cube. Compound 3 consisits of a mixed-valence [Ni(III)(OH)(6)(hmb)(6)Ni(II)(6)](3+) subunits and it represents the first nickel {Ni(II)(6)Ni(III)} complex to possess a planar hexagonal disc-like structure. The results show that the minor ligand modifications or solvent change have a key role in the structural control of the self-assembly process. Magnetic properties of 1-3 in the 300-2 K have been discussed. The {Ni(2)Na(2)} (1) and {Ni(4)} (2) core display dominant ferromagnetic interactions from the nature of the binding modes through μ(3)-N(3)(-) or μ(3)-OCH(3)(-), while {Ni(II)(6)Ni(III)} core (3) displays dominant anti-ferromagnetic interactions from the nature of the binding modes through μ(3)-OH(-).     

Introducing organosilicone source into the synthetic system of polyoxovanadates: two novel {V15Si6O48}-based extended chains

Two novel extended chains based on rare {V(IV)(15)Si(6)O(48)} have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions by introducing an organosilicone source into the synthetic system of the polyoxovanadates. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that the neighboring {V(IV)(15)Si(6)O(48)} clusters are linked by a pair of V(V)O(2) fragments via the coordination bonds of (Si-)O-V-O(-Si) to give rise to a zig-zag chain in compound 1, which is the first example of V(iv,v) mixed valence states successfully synthesized in {V(15)Si(6)O(48)}-containing POMs. While in 2 the linkages are changed to [Co(pdn)(2)(H(2)O)](2+) (pdn = 1,3-propanediamine) cations instead of {V(V)O(2)} fragments, to generate another comparable 1-D infinite chain, which demonstrates the first organic-inorganic vanadosilicon hybrid linked by a second transition-metal complex. The possible hydrolysis mechanism of tetraethyl orthosilicate as the Si source is postulated to afford a feasible protocol to synthesize a new type of vanadosilicate cluster. The magnetic properties of the two compounds have also been investigated.     

Selective inclusion of Cu+ and Ag+ electron-rich metallic cations within supramolecular polyoxometalates based on {AsW9O33}{Mo3S4} combinations

Coordination of the [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) cluster with the trivacant [AsW(9)O(33)](9-) ion gives the supramolecular complex [{(H(4)AsW(9)O(33))(4)(Mo(3)S(4){H(2)O}(5))}(2)](12-) (1) in good yield. The structure of 1 shows that two [H(4)AsW(9)O(33)](5-) subunits sandwich a single central [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(5)](4+) ion to give a basic monomeric unit [(H(4)AsW(9)O(33))(2){Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(5)}](6-). In the solid state, a supramolecular dimeric association is evidenced that consists of two [(H(4)AsW(9)O(33))(2){Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(5)}](6-) units held together by twelve hydrogen bonds and four SS contacts. Complex 1 reacts with NaAsO(2), AgNO(3) and CuI to give compounds 2, 3 and 4, respectively. X-ray structural analysis reveals that the molecular arrangements of 2 to 4 are closely related to the parent structure of 1. {AsOH}(2+), Ag(+) and Cu(+) ions are located on three distinct pairs of sites. Two hanging {AsOH}(2+) groups in 2 are symmetrically attached to two opposite {AsW(9)O(33)} subunits. Complex 3 is the first example of an Ag/{Mo(3)S(4)} combination in which the environment of the two equivalent Ag(+) cations is remarkable for containing two sulfur atoms belonging to {Mo(3)S(4)}, two oxygen and one central arsenic atom of the {AsW(9)O(33)} subunits. Potentiometric titration shows that the addition of Ag(+) ions is quantitative and occurs in two successive steps (K(1)=4.1 x 10(6) and K(2)=2.3 x 10(5) L mol(-1)), which is consistent with the retention of the supramolecular cluster in solution. The structure of 4 reveals a single copper atom embedded in the central part of the dimer. The Cu(+) cation is bound to four sulfur atoms to complete a cuboidal moiety. UV/Vis studies in solution indicate that the stability of the dimeric assemblies of 2, 3 and 4 is significantly enhanced by the presence of Cu(+) or Ag(+) ions, which act as additional coordination linkers within the supramolecular cluster. The anions 1 to 4 were characterised by (183)W NMR spectroscopy in solution. The 10-line spectra recorded for each of them are consistent with an averaged C(2h) molecular symmetry in solution.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Ca（DMF）6][Mo6Br8Cl6]

1INTRODUCTION Molybdenum(II)halide clusters containing[Mo6-X8]4 cores have been the subject of interest for over five decades[1].This octahedral cluster-type comple-xes comprise an important,and in a sense archetypal,class of higher nuclearity transition metal cluster com-plexes.Their high symmetry,photochemical and pho-tophysical properties as well as structural relation-ships to cluster complexes of other elements exhibit significant interest[2].In addition,there is a structural simila…     

Self-assembly of discrete M6L8 coordination cages based on a conformationally flexible tripodal phosphoric triamide ligand

Reactions of a tripodal ligand, N,N',N″-tris(3-pyridinyl)phosphoric triamide (TPPA), and a series of transition-metal ions result in the assembly of five discrete M(6)L(8) coordination cages [M(6)(TPPA)(8)(H(2)O)(12)](ClO(4))(12)·57H(2)O [M = Ni(2+) (1), Co(2+) (2), Zn(2+) (3), Cd(2+) (4)] and [Pd(6)(TPPA)(8)]Cl(12)·22H(2)O (5). X-ray structural analyses reveal that the cages have large internal cavities and flexible windows. The flexible ligand TPPA adopts the syn conformation in cages 1-4, but it transforms to the anti conformation in cage 5. Because of the conformational transformation, the sizes of the windows and the volume of the internal cavity of cage 5 are increased. (1)H NMR and electrospray mass spectrometric studies show that cage 5 maintains its structural integrity in solution. Additionally, compounds 3 and 4 exhibit strong blue fluorescent emissions, which are 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the free ligand.     

A closer look: magnetic behavior of a three-dimensional cyanometalate coordination polymer dominated by a trace amount of nanoparticle impurity

The structure and properties of the K{Ni[Au(CN)(2)](3)} coordination polymer, prepared as a powder at room temperature and recrystallized hydrothermally, are reported. The structure of K{Ni[Au(CN)(2)](3)} contains triply-interpenetrated Prussian Blue type pseudo-cubic arrays assembled from the alternation of octahedral Ni(II) centers and [Au(CN)(2)](-) bridging units. SQUID magnetometry studies have shown that K{Ni[Au(CN)(2)](3)} displays typical paramagnetic behavior for isolated Ni(II) centers down to 1.8 K. However, the magnetic behavior of the samples prepared under hydrothermal conditions suggests a superparamagnetic signature superimposed onto a paramagnetic background. After investigating the samples by transmission electron microscopy, it was determined that, in addition to K{Ni[Au(CN)(2)](3)}, the high-temperature (125, 135, and 165 degrees C) aqueous reaction of Ni(NO(3))(2)6 H(2)O with KAu(CN)(2) also led to the formation of nanoparticles of NiO and Au as minor side products, and that these dominated the magnetic behavior. Nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes were observed, depending on the reaction conditions. Samples containing nanoparticles were found to be superparamagnetic, exhibiting blocking temperatures of approximately 17-22 K, consistent with the behavior expected for NiO nanoparticles. These results illustrate the extreme care that must be taken when examining the physical properties of apparently analytically pure materials prepared by hydrothermal methods.     

3D coordination framework [Ln(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)Cu(6)I(5)(IN)(8)(OAc)(3)] (IN = isonicotinate): employing 2D layers of lanthanide wheel clusters and 1D chains of copper halide clusters

Two novel 3D heterometallic coordination polymers, Ln(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)Cu(6)I(5)(IN)(8)(OAc)(3) (Ln = Nd (1), Pr (2); HIN = isonicotinic acid, HOAc = acetic acid), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental, infrared, and thermogravimetric analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c. Both polymers are constructed from 2D lanthanide-cluster polymers based on the {Ln(16)} wheel-cluster and 1D copper-cluster polymers based on the {Cu(6)I(5)} cluster, which represent the first examples of 3D coordination frameworks created by using a combination of two different types of metal-cluster polymer units, namely, a high-nuclearity lanthanide-cluster polymer and a transition-metal-cluster polymer.     

Synthesis and catalysis of di- and tetranuclear metal sandwich-type silicotungstates [(gamma-SiW10O36)2M2(mu-OH)2]10- and [(gamma-SiW10O36)2M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6]8- (M = Zr or Hf)

The di- and tetranuclear metal sandwich-type silicotungstates of Cs10[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Zr(H2O)}2(mu-OH)2] x 18 H2O (Zr2, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 25.3315(8) A, b = 22.6699(7) A, c = 18.5533(6) A, beta = 123.9000(12) degrees, V = 8843.3(5) A(3), Z = 4), Cs10[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Hf(H2O)}2(mu-OH)2] x 17 H2O (Hf2, monoclinic, space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 25.3847(16) A, b = 22.6121(14) A, c = 18.8703(11) A, beta = 124.046(3) degrees, V = 8974.9(9) A(3), Z = 4), Cs8[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Zr(H2O)}4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6] x 26 H2O (Zr4, tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2 (No. 92), a = 12.67370(10) A, c = 61.6213(8) A, V = 9897.78(17) A(3), Z = 4), and Cs8[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Hf(H2O)}4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6] x 23 H2O (Hf4, tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2 (No. 92), a = 12.68130(10) A, c = 61.5483(9) A, V = 9897.91(18) A(3), Z = 4) were obtained as single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic analyses by the reaction of a dilacunary gamma-Keggin silicotungstate K8[gamma-SiW10O36] with ZrOCl2 x 8 H2O or HfOCl2 x 8 H2O. These dimeric polyoxometalates consisted of two [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) units sandwiching metal-oxygen clusters such as [M2(mu-OH)2](6+) and [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) (M = Zr or Hf). The dinuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes Zr2 and Hf2 were isostructural. The equatorially placed two metal atoms in Zr2 and Hf2 were linked by two mu-OH ligands and each metal was bound to four oxygen atoms of two [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) units. The tertanuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes Zr4 and Hf4 were isostructural and consisted of the adamantanoid cages with a tetracoordinated oxygen atom in the middle, [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) (M = Zr or Hf). Each metal atom in Zr4 and Hf4 was linked by three mu-OH ligands and bound to two oxygen atoms of the [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) unit. The tetra-nuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes showed catalytic activity for the intramolecular cyclization of (+)-citronellal to isopulegols without formation of byproducts resulting from etherification and dehydration. A lacunary silicotungstate [gamma-SiW10O34(H2O)2](4-) was inactive, and the isomer ratio of isopulegols in the presence of MOCl2 x 8 H2O (M = Zr or Hf) were much different from that in the presence of tetranuclear complexes, suggesting that the [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) core incorporated into the POM frameworks acts as an active site for the present cyclization. On the other hand, the reaction hardly proceeded in the presence of dinuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes under the same conditions. The much less activity is possibly explained by the steric repulsion from the POM frameworks in the dinuclear complexes.     

A supramolecular heteropolyoxopalladate {Pd15} cluster host encapsulating a {Pd2} dinuclear guest: [Pd(II)2⊂{H7Pd(II)15O10(PO4)10}](9-)

A high-nuclearity polyoxopalladate compound, [Pd(II)(2)?{H(7)Pd(II)(15)O(10)(PO(4))(10)}](9-) {Pd(II)(17)}, comprising a {Pd(15)} host occupied by a {Pd(2)} guest and the parent pristine "empty" [H(7)Pd(II)(15)O(10)(P(V)O(4))(10)](13-) {Pd(15)} cluster have both been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, (31)P NMR, CSI-MS, and XPS. The encapsulated {Pd(2)} has a short Pd(II)-Pd(II) distance within the {Pd(15)} host. Solution studies indicate that the empty host and filled guest complex are in equilibrium with each other, and UV titrations revealed a binding constant of ca. 10(3) for the guest Pd(II) ions, with a binding stoichiometry of almost 2.     

Synthesis, structural, and magnetic studies on a redox family of tetrametallic vanadium clusters: {VIV4}, {VIII2VIV2}, and {VIII4} butterfly complexes

The synthesis, crystal structures, and magnetic properties are reported for a redox family of butterfly-type tetrametallic vanadium alkoxide clusters, namely [V2(VO)2(acac)4(RC{CH2O}3)2] (R=Me 1, Et 2, CH2OH 3), [V2(VO)2(acac)2(O2CPh)2(MeC{CH2O}3)2] (5), [(VO)4(MeOH)2(O2CPh)2({HOCH2}C{CH2O}3)2] (6), [V4Cl2(dbm)4(RC{CH2OH}3)2] (R=Me 7, Et 8, CH2OH 9), and [V4Cl2(dbm)4(MeO)6] (10). The cluster cores are {VIV4} (6), {VIII2VIV2} (1-5), and {VIII4} (7-10), with examples of both isomeric forms of the of the mixed-valence cores (either VIII or VIV ions forming the butterfly body). Magnetic studies reveal the clusters to be dominated by antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in each case. The magnetic exchange parameters are determined for representative examples of each core type. {VIV4} and {VIII4} have diamagnetic ground states. The two isomeric {VIII2VIV2} types are found to give rise to either an S=0 ground state with a number of low-lying excited states due to competing antiferromagnetic exchange interactions (VIII2 butterfly body) or to a well-isolated S=1 ground state (VIV2 butterfly body).     

Polyoxometalates paneling through {Mo2O2S2} coordination: cation-directed conformations and chemistry of a supramolecular hexameric scaffold

The chemical system based on the [Mo(2)O(2)S(2)(OH(2))(6)](2+) aqua cation (noted L) and the trivacant [AsW(9)O(33)](9-) polyoxometalate (noted POM) has been investigated. Depending upon the ionic strength and the nature of the alkali cations, these complementary components assemble to yield three different architectures derived as hexamer (1), tetramer (2), and dimer (3). This series of clusters displays the same stoichiometry {POM(6)L(9)}(36-), {POM(4)L(6)}(24-), and {POM(2)L(3)}(12-) for 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and their conditions of formation differ mainly by the nature and the concentration of the alkali cation (from Li to Cs). Structural characterizations of 1 reveal a large hexameric supramolecular scaffold (about 25 ? in diameter), which encloses a large internal hole (about 200 ?(3)) filled by water molecules and alkali cations (Na(+) or K(+)). The hexameric scaffold 1 exhibits a rare flexibility property evidenced in the solid state by two distinct conformations, either eclipsed (1a) or staggered-off (1b). Both conformations appear clearly separated by a large twist angle (~40°) and depend mainly on the composition of the internal hole. Structure of anion 2 shows a tetrahedral arrangement where the four POM units and the six connecting {Mo(2)O(2)S(2)} linkers are located at the corners and at the edges, respectively. The structure of anion 3 corresponds to the simplest arrangement, described as a dimeric association of two POM units linked by three {Mo(2)S(2)O(2)} pillars. Stability of the hexameric scaffold has been investigated in solution by (183)W and (39)K NMR and by UV-vis, showing that stability of 1 depends strongly on the proportion of potassium ions, which interfere through host-guest exchange. Density functional methodology (DFT) has been applied to compute the geometries and energies of dimer (3), tetramer (2) and hexamer (1) based on {AsW(9)O(33)} (POM) and {Mo(2)O(2)S(2)} (L) units. Calculations tend to show that internal cations act as "glue" to maintain the POM units connected through the conformationally inward-directed {Mo(2)O(2)S(2)} linkers.     

Co-Ln mixed-metal phosphonate grids and cages as molecular magnetic refrigerants

The synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of six families of cobalt-lanthanide mixed-metal phosphonate complexes are reported in this Article. These six families can be divided into two structural types: grids, where the metal centers lie in a single plane, and cages. The grids include [4 × 3] {Co(8)Ln(4)}, [3 × 3] {Co(4)Ln(6)}, and [2 × 2] {Co(4)Ln(2)} families and a [4 × 4] {Co(8)Ln(8)} family where the central 2 × 2 square is rotated with respect to the external square. The cages include {Co(6)Ln(8)} and {Co(8)Ln(2)} families. Magnetic studies have been performed for these compounds, and for each family, the maximum magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been observed for the Ln = Gd derivative, with a smaller MCE for the compounds containing magnetically anisotropic 4f-ions. The resulting entropy changes of the gadolinium derivatives are (for 3 K and 7 T) 11.8 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(8)Gd(2)}; 20.0 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(4)Gd(2)}; 21.1 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(8)Gd(4)}; 21.4 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(8)Gd(8)}; 23.6 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(4)Gd(6)}; and 28.6 J kg(-1) K(-1) for {Co(6)Gd(8)}, from which we can see these values are proportional to the percentage of the gadolinium in the core.