Assembly of a polyoxometalate into an anisotropic gel

The self-assembly of the polyoxomolybdate [MnMo6O18[(OCH2)3CNHCO(4-C5H4N)]2]3- and [PdCl2(PhCN)2] yields a transparent and birefringent gel.     

Twining Poly(polyoxometalate) Chains into Nanoropes

Organic polymers and inorganic clusters belong to two different disciplines and have completely different properties and structures. When a cluster is attached to the backbone of a polymer as a pendant, the resultant hybrid polymers (polyclusters) exhibit unique behaviours totally different from those of conventional polymers owing to the nanoscale size of the cluster and its particular interactions. Herein, the aggregation of a poly(polyoxometalate)—a polynorbornene backbone with inorganic polyoxometalate cluster pendants—upon addition of a non-solvent to its dilute solution is reported. A three-dimensional network of tangled and snake-like nanothreads was observed. Direct visualisation of individual nanoscale clusters enabled identification of single chains within the nanothreads. These observations suggest that during the process of aggregation, the hybrid polymer forms curved or extended chains as a consequence of an armouring effect in which the collapsed cluster pendants wrap around the backbone. The collapse occurs because they become less soluble in the solvent/non-solvent mixture. The extended chains then become entwined and form nanoropes consisting of multiple chains wound around each other. This study provides a deeper understanding of the nature of polyclusters and should also prove useful for their future development and application.     

Assembly of modular asymmetric organic-inorganic polyoxometalate hybrids into anisotropic nanostructures

Three organic-inorganic hybrid Mn-Anderson polyoxometalates (POMs), with both symmetrical and asymmetrical appended groups, have been synthesized, identified using electrospray mass spectrometry, and isolated using an approach that allows the three AA, BB, and AB compounds to be structurally characterized. Investigation of the self-assembly of the hybrids on hydrophilic surfaces reveals the formation of nanofibres with characteristics that reflect the nature of the substitution of the POM yielding a route to the programmed assembly of anisotropic hybrid nanostructures.     

Functionalized heteropolyanions: high-valent metal nitrido fragments incorporated into a Keggin polyoxometalate structure

Three examples of nitrido-functionalized polyoxometalate species are reported, namely (n-Bu4N)4[PW11O39(OsN)] (1), (n-Bu4N)4[PW11O39(ReN)] (2), and (n-Bu4N)3[PW11O39(ReN)] (3), which feature the incorporation of [OsVI identical to N]3+, [ReVI identical to N]3+ and [ReVII identical to N]4+ fragments, respectively, into the framework of a Keggin-type heteropolyanion.     

Self-assembly of organic-inorganic hybrid materials constructed from eight-connected coordination polymer hosts with nanotube channels and polyoxometalate guests as templates

Two polyoxometalate-templated organic-inorganic hybrid porous frameworks, namely, [Cu2(H2O)2(bpp)2Cl][PM12O40].approximately 20H2O (for 1, M = W; for 2, M = Mo; bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), were self-assembly obtained and structurally determined by elemental analyses, inductively coupled plasma analyses, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of these crystals revealed that both of the structures are constructed from eight-connected three-dimensional coordination polymer hosts [Cu2(H2O)2(bpp)2Cl]n(3n+) and ball-shaped Keggin-type guests [PM12O40]n(3n-) as templates. The polymer hosts resulted from a bcc-type framework with nanotubes, and the nanotubes can be regarded as a tetra-stranded helix structure. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 exhibit photoluminescent properties at ambient temperature, and the compound 2 bulk-modified carbon paste electrode ( 2-CPE) displays good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite.     

Optical spectroscopy following the incorporation of a rare-earth containing (Eu) polyoxometalate into a sol-gel derived media

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are an emerging class of materials which can be considered as inorganic complexes with distinct structural and optical characteristics. To be suitable in biomedical applications such as imaging, the materials may need to be embedded in a suitable host material, which may affect the optical properties of the emitting polyoxometalate. Here, we demonstrate that POMs can successfully be included into a sol-gel derived silica matrix. We report on the effects of one such potential host on the luminescence excitation and emission spectra, as well as the POM luminescence decay times. It appears that the POMs do not interact with the bulk oxide of the matrix, but are retained within the hosts' internal pore structure.     

A metallosupramolecular tetrahedron with a huge internal cavity

A huge molecular tetrahedral complex forms quantitatively by self-assembly from four ligands L-H6 and four titanium(IV) ions; in the solid state it encapsulates four [K(DIMF)3]+ units in its interior.     

Merging organometallic chemistry with polyoxometalate chemistry

A series of polyoxomolybdate-incorporated organometallic complexes has been obtained by reaction of [MBr(CO)5] or solvated M(CO)3+ ions (M = Mn or Br) with (nBu4N)2[Mo2O7] in methanol, sometimes in the presence of triols of the type RC(CH2OH)3 (R = Me or CH2OH). Their molecular structures are related to those of previously described polyoxoalkoxomolybdates through the formal replacement of fac-MoO2(OR)+ units by topologically equivalent fac-M(CO)3+ units. Representative pairs of structurally related clusters include [Mo2O6(OMe)4-Re(CO)32]2- and [Mo4O10(OMe)6]2-, [Mo2O4MeC(CH2O)32Mn(CO)3]- and [Mo3O6(OMe)MeC(CH2O)32]-, [Mo2O4HOCH2C(CH2O)32Mn(CO)32] and [Mo4O8(OEt)2MeC(CH2O)32], [Mo6O16(OMe)2MeC(CH2O)32-Mn(CO)32]2- and [Mo8O20(OMe)4-MeC(CH2O)32]2-. Although the frameworks of the majority of derivatives are based on tetranuclear units which display the common rhomb-like structure, the alternative cubane-type arrangement is observed in [Mo2O5(OMe)5M(CO)32]-.     

Luminescent logic function of a surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalate complex

We have fabricated a novel organic/inorganic hybrid material consisting of multifunctional surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalloeuropate which functions as a luminescent logic gate with dual output operated by light and metal ion as inputs.     

The structure of self-assembled multilayers with polyoxometalate nanoclusters

Using electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly (ELSA), the formation of multilayers with polyelectrolytes and nanoscopic polyoxometalate (POM) clusters of different sizes and charges is investigated. The multilayers are characterized by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, optical ellipsometry, cyclic voltammetry, and atomic force microscopy. In all cases, it is possible to find experimental conditions to achieve irreversible adsorption and regular multilayer deposition. Most importantly, the surface coverage is directly related to the total charge of the POM anion and can be controlled from submonolayer to multilayer coverage by adjusting the ionic strength of the dipping solutions. Imaging the interfaces after POM deposition by atomic force microscopy reveals a granular surface texture with nanometer-sized features. The average interfacial roughness amounts to approximately 1 nm. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that the electrochemical properties of the POM clusters are fully maintained in the polyelectrolyte matrix, which opens a route toward practical applications such as sensors or heterogeneous catalysts. Moreover, the permeability toward electrochemically active probe molecules can be tailored through the multilayer architecture and deposition conditions. Finally, we note that despite the low total charge and comparably small size of the discrete POM anions, the multilayers are remarkably stable. This work provides basic guidelines for the assembly of POM-containing ELSA multilayers and provides detailed insight into characteristic surface coverage, permeability, and electrochemical properties.     

Breaking symmetry: spontaneous resolution of a polyoxometalate

A chiral polyoxometalate [Hf(PW11O39)2]10- (1) has been prepared and structurally characterized. It crystallizes in the chiral space group P2(1)2(1)2, as a conglomerate of two enantiomerically pure crystals in the absence of any chiral source. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined from the Flack parameter by X-ray crystallography. The structure of 1 comprises two lacunary [PW11O39]7- units, each functioning as a tetra-dentate ligand sandwiching an 8-coordinate HfIV centre in a distorted square antiprismatic geometry. Optically active crystals of both enantiomers were spectroscopically distinguishable by means of solid state circular dichroism spectroscopy. This hafnium-substituted polyoxometalate (POM), 1, shows that spontaneous chiral resolution, a rare phenomenon, can be operable in POM systems.     

Recognition of small polar molecules with an ionic crystal of alpha-Keggin-type polyoxometalate with a macrocation

The complexation of Keggin-type polyoxometalates [alpha-XW12O40]n- (X = P, Si, B, Co), macrocation [Cr3O(OOCH)6(H2O)3]+, and alkali-metal ions forms ionic crystals of Na2[Cr3O(OOCH)6(H2O)3][alpha-PW12O40].16H2O (1a), K3[Cr3O(OOCH)6(H2O)3][alpha-SiW12O40].16H2O (2a), Rb4[Cr3O(OOCH)6(H2O)3][alpha-BW12O40].16H2O (3a), and Cs5[Cr3O(OOCH)6(H2O)3][alpha-CoW12O40].7.5H2O (4a). The space volumes of the ionic crystals decrease in the order of 1a > 2a > 3a > 4a. The water of crystallization in 1a-3a is completely desorbed by evacuation at room temperature, while about 50% of the water of crystallization in 4a is desorbed. The respective 1a-4a after evacuation at room temperature are denoted by 1b-4b, which show the close packing of the constituent ions. The calculated cell volumes per formula decreased in the order of 1b > 2b > 3b > 4b, which would be related to the increase in n. Compound 1b sorbs various < or =C5 polar organic molecules such as 1-butanol, valeronitrile, and methyl propionate. Compound 2b sorbs ethanol, acetonitrile, and methyl formate. Compound 3b sorbs water and methanol, and 4b sorbs only water. Thus, the ionic crystals can discriminate < or =C5 polar organic molecules such as alcohols, nitriles, and esters by one methylene chain, and the decrease in n of [alpha-XW12O40]n- enables the sorption of molecules with the longer methylene chain. The nature of the sorption properties of 1b-4b can be explained by the lattice energy needed for the expansion of 1b-4b. The selective sorption properties of 1b-4b are successfully applied to the separation of mixtures of alcohols, nitriles, esters, and water.     

Cationic cure kinetics of a polyoxometalate loaded epoxy nanocomposite

The reaction cure kinetics of a novel polyoxometalate (POM) loaded epoxy nanocomposite is described. The POM is dispersed in the epoxy resin up to volume fractions of 0.1. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements show the cure of the epoxy resin to be sensitive to the POM loading. A kinetics study of the cure exotherm confirms that POM acts as a catalyst promoting cationic homopolymerization of the epoxy resin. The cure reaction is shown to propagate through two cure regimes. A fast cure at short time is shown to be propagation by the activated chain end (ACE) mechanism. A slow cure at long time is shown to be propagation by the activated monomer (AM) mechanism. The activation energies for the fast and slow cure regimes agree well with other epoxy based systems that have been confirmed to propagate by the ACE and AM mechanisms.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a new Anderson-type polyoxometalate

A new compound based on Anderson-type polyoxometalate, [Cu(phen)H₂O]₂[CrH₅Mo₆O₂₄]?·5H₂O (1) (phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectrum, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Luminescent, electrochemical, and electroactivity properties of 1 have been studied.     

Square versus tetrahedral iron clusters with polyoxometalate ligands

Two new insoluble transition metal substituted phosphotungstates, (C2N2H10)11[{(B-alpha-PW9O34)Fe3(OH)3}4(PO4)4Fe].38H2O(1) and K4(C2N2H10)12[(alpha-PW10Fe2O39)4].30H2O(2), have been isolated by the hydrothermal reaction of [A-alpha-PW9O34]9-, Fe(III) ions and ethylenediamine. Compound 1 has a tetrahedral symmetry and contains a Fe13 core built from the assembly of four Fe(III) trisubstituted [B-alpha-PW9O34]9- anions around a central disordered iron ion via four phosphato ligands. The anion in 2 can be described as a square of disubstituted [PW10O37]9- anions linked by Fe(III)-O-Fe(III) bridges. Magnetic measurements performed on 1 and 2 have shown the occurrence of antiferromagnetic interactions between the iron ions and have allowed the coupling constants between the magnetic centers to be determined.     

SERS-fluorescence joint spectral encoding using organic-metal-QD hybrid nanoparticles with a huge encoding capacity for high-throughput biodetection: putting theory into practice

A new concept of optical encoding approach, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-fluorescence joint spectral encoding method (SFJSE), was demonstrated by using organic-metal-quantum dot (QD) hybrid nanoparticles (OMQ NPs) with a nanolayered structure. This method has two distinct characteristics, which make it more feasible to achieve enormous codes in practice, compared with a sole fluorescence- or SERS-based encoding protocol. One of the two characteristics is to use the joint SERS and fluorescence spectra as the encoding elements instead of an individual optical signal, resulting in a broadened optical spectrum range for efficient encoding. The other is to assemble SERS reporters and fluorescent agents onto different layers of OMQ NPs, leading to an easier fabrication protocol when a large number of agents need to be involved into encoding carriers. By conjugating different antibodies to OMQ NPs with varied codes, the potential application of such an encoding system in high-throughput detection has been investigated by multiplex sandwich immunoassays. The high specificity and sensitivity of the assays suggest that the SFJSE method could be developed as a powerful encoding tool for high-throughput bioanalysis with the use of OMQ NPs.