Molybdenum Bisphosphonates with Cr(III) or Mn(III) Ions

The synthesis of Mo^VI bisphosphonates (BPs) complexes in the presence of a heterometallic element has been studied. Two different BPs have been used, the alendronate ligand, [O₃PC(C₃H₆NH₃)(O)PO₃]^4? (Ale) and a new BP derivative with a pyridine ring linked to the amino group, [O₃PC(C₃H₆NH₂CH₂C₅H₄N)(O)PO₃]^4? (AlePy). Three compounds have been isolated, a tetranuclear Mo^VI complex with Cr^III ions, (NH₄)₅[(Mo₂O₆)₂(O₃PC(C₃H₆NH₃)(O)PO₃)₂Cr]·11H₂O (Mo₄(Ale)₂Cr), its Mn^III analogue, (NH₄)_4.5Na_0.5[(Mo₂O₆)₂(O₃PC(C₃H₆NH₃)(O)PO₃)₂Mn]·9H₂O (Mo₄(Ale)₂Mn), and a cocrystal of two polyoxomolybdates, (NH₄)₁₀Na₃[(Mo₂O₆)₂(O₃PC(C₃H₆NH₂CH₂C₅H₄N)(O)PO₃)₂Cr]₂[CrMo₆(OH)₆O₁₈]·37H₂O ([Mo₄(AlePy)₂Cr]₂[CrMo₆]). In this latter compound an Anderson-type POM [CrMo₆(OH)₆O₁₈]^3? is sandwiched between two tetranuclear Mo^VI complexes with AlePy ligands. The protonated triply bridging oxygen atoms bound to the central Cr^III ion of the Anderson anion develop strong hydrogen bonding interactions with the oxygen atoms of the bisphosphonate complexes. The UV–Vis spectra confirm the coexistence in solution of both POMs. Cyclic voltammetry experiments have been performed, showing the reduction of the Mo centers. In strong contrast with the reported Mo^VI BP systems, the presence of trivalent cations in close proximity to the Mo^VI centers dramatically impact the potential solid-state photochromic properties of these compounds.