The structures of europium(III)- and uranium(IV) derivatives of [P5w3oo110]15-: Evidence for “cryptohydration”

The crystal structures of (Nh₄)_11.5K_0.5 Eu(OH₂)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀] ·24 H₂O, K₅H₅ Eu(OH₂)P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀] ·31 H₂O, and (NH₄)₁₁U(OH₂)P₅Wn₃₀O₁₁₀ ·12 H₂O have been determined. In each case, the anion has the overall virtual C_5v symmetry previously observed for the sodium derivative, NaP₅W_{30 110}]14- The encrypted Eu³⁺ and U⁴⁺cations lie on the C₅ axis, but are displaced further than the Na⁺ from the equatorial plane defined by the five phosphorus atoms. Only minor differences are observed between the structures of the two salts of the europium derivative, although solutions of these display³¹P NMR spectra with chemical shifts differing by 10 ppm, provisionally attributed to the effects of protonation of the anion, The most significant feature of the three new structures is the presence of a water molecule within the central cavity and coor-dinated to the Eu³⁺ or U⁴⁺ cation.The coordination spheres of the central cations can therefore be described as monocapped pentagonal antiprisms.