Substituent effect in the electrochemistry of Dawson-type tungstodiphosphates: Some strategic parameters for apparently multiple electronation on the first wave of heteropolyanions

Assessing the Influence of Confinement on the Stability of Polyoxometalate-Functionalized Surfaces: A Soft Sequential Immobilization Approach for Electrochromic Devices

A functionalization process has been developed and the experimental conditions optimized allowing the immobilization of first-row transition metal (Mn+) containing polyoxometalates (POMs) with the formula [M(H2O)P2W17O61](10-n)- on transparent indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes for electrochromic applications. Both flat ITO grafted with 4-sulfophenyl moieties and sulfonate-functionalized vertically oriented silica films on ITO have been used as electrode supports to evaluate possible confinement effects provided by the mesoporous matrix on the stability of the modified surfaces and their electrochromic properties. Functionalization involved a two-step sequential process: (i) the immobilization of hexaaqua metallic ions, such as Fe(H2O)63+, onto the sulfonate-functionalized materials achieved through hydrogen bonding interactions between the sulfonate functions and aqua ligands (water molecules) coordinated to the metallic ions facilitating and stabilizing the attachment of the metallic ions to the sulfonated surfaces; (ii) their coordination to [P2W17O61]10- species to generate "in situ" the target [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7- moieties. Comparison of the characterized surfaces clearly evidenced a significant improvement in the long-term stability of the nanostructured [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7--functionalized silica films compared to the less constrained flat [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7--modified ITO electrodes for which a rapid loss of [P2W17O61]10- species was observed. Concordantly, the [Fe(H2O)P2W17O61]7- POM confined in the mesoporous films coated on ITO gave rise to much better and stable electrochromic properties, with a transmittance modulation of 40% at 515 nm.

99Tc and Re incorporated into metal oxide polyoxometalates: oxidation state stability elucidated by electrochemistry and theory

The radioactive element technetium-99 ((99)Tc, half-life = 2.1 × 10(5) years, β(-) of 253 keV), is a major byproduct of (235)U fission in the nuclear fuel cycle. (99)Tc is also found in radioactive waste tanks and in the environment at National Lab sites and fuel reprocessing centers. Separation and storage of the long-lived (99)Tc in an appropriate and stable waste-form is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Considering metal oxide solid-state materials as potential storage matrixes for Tc, we are examining the redox speciation of Tc on the molecular level using polyoxometalates (POMs) as models. In this study we investigate the electrochemistry of Tc complexes of the monovacant Wells-Dawson isomers, α(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61)(10-) (α1) and α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61)(10-) (α2) to identify features of metal oxide materials that can stabilize the immobile Tc(IV) oxidation state accessed from the synthesized Tc(V)O species and to interrogate other possible oxidation states available to Tc within these materials. The experimental results are consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Electrochemistry of K(7-n)H(n)[Tc(V)O(α(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61))] (Tc(V)O-α1), K(7-n)H(n)[Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))] (Tc(V)O-α2) and their rhenium analogues as a function of pH show that the Tc-containing derivatives are always more readily reduced than their Re analogues. Both Tc and Re are reduced more readily in the lacunary α1 site as compared to the α2 site. The DFT calculations elucidate that the highest oxidation state attainable for Re is VII while, under the same electrochemistry conditions, the highest oxidation state for Tc is VI. The M(V)→ M(IV) reduction processes for Tc(V)O-α1 are not pH dependent or only slightly pH dependent suggesting that protonation does not accompany reduction of this species unlike the M(V)O-α2 (M = (99)Tc, Re) and Re(V)O-α1 where M(V/IV) reduction process must occur hand in hand with protonation of the terminal M═O to make the π*(M═O) orbitals accessible to the addition of electrons. This result is consistent with previous extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) data that reveal that the Tc(V) is "pulled" into the -α1 framework and that may facilitate the reduction of Tc(V)O-α1 and stabilize lower Tc oxidation states. This study highlights the inequivalency of the two sites, and their impact on the chemical properties of the Tc substituted in these positions.

Electrochemical behavior of α1/α2-[Fe(H2O)P2W17O61](7-) isomers in solution: experimental and DFT studies

The unusual redox behavior displayed by the two isomers of the Wells-Dawson phosphotungstate anion [Fe(H(2)O)P(2)W(17)O(61)](7-) is presented. The electrochemical measurements have been performed in aqueous media at different pH values from 0.5 up to 8.0. The cyclic voltammetry has also been carried out in organic media to get additional experimental data to establish the effect of the protonation on the redox properties of both isomers. At high pH values (pH ≥ 6) or in an organic medium, the reduction of the Fe center is easier in the case of the alpha-1 isomer, whereas for the alpha-2 isomer such reduction takes place at more negative potentials, as expected. In contrast, at lower pH values (pH ≤ 5), an inversion of this trend is observed, and the reduction of the Fe center becomes easier for the alpha-2 isomer compared to the alpha-1. We were able to highlight the influence of the pH and the pK(a) of the electrolyte on POM-based redox potentials given the pK(a) of the latter. A complementary theoretical study has also been performed to explain the experimental data obtained. In this sense, the results obtained from the DFT study are in good agreement with the experimental data mentioned above and have provided additional information for the electrochemical behavior of both isomers according to their different molecular orbital energies. We have also shown the influence of protonation state of the iron derivative on the relative reduction potentials of both isomers.

Preparation and Electrocatalytic Application of Composites Containing Gold Nanoparticles Protected with Rhodium-Substituted Polyoxometalates

Substitution of a metal center of phosphomolybdate, PMo(12)O(40) (3-) (PMo(12)), or its tungsten analogue with dirhodium(II) and subsequent stabilization of gold nanoparticles, AuNPs, with Rh(2)PMo(11) is demonstrated. The AuNP-Rh(2)PMo(11) mediates oxidations but adsorbs too weakly for direct modification of electrode materials. Stability in quiescent solution was achieved by modifying glassy carbon (GC) with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and then electrostatically assembling AuNP-Rh(2)PMo(11). At GC|APTES|AuNP-Rh(2)PMo(11), cyclic voltammetry showed the expected set of three reversible peak-pairs for PMo(11) in the range -0.2 to 0.6 vs (Ag/AgCl)/V and the reversible Rh(II,III) couple at 1.0 vs (Ag/AgCl)/V. The presence of AuNPs increased the current for the reduction of bromate by a factor of 2.5 relative to that at GC|Rh(2)PMo(11), and the electrocatalytic oxidation of methionine displayed characteristics of synergism between the AuNP and Rh(II). To stabilize AuNP-Rh(2)PMo(11) on a surface in a flow system, GC was modified by electrochemically assisted deposition of a sol-gel with templated 10-nm pores prior to immobilizing the catalyst in the pores. The resulting electrode permitted determination of bromate by flow-injection amperometry with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10(-8) mol dm(-3).

Building block approach to nanostructures: step-by-step assembly of large lanthanide-containing polytungstoarsenate aggregates

Three large cerium-containing polytungstoarsenate aggregates have been synthesized via a step-by-step assembly process. Reaction of Na(9)[AsW(9)O(33)] precursors, ceric sulfate and potassium citrate in an acidic aqueous solution at pH = 3 led to the isolation of a new dimeric sandwich-type compound K(9)Na(7)[{Ce(2)O(H(2)O)(5)}{WO(H(2)O)}{AsW(9)O(33)}(2)](2). approximately 48H(2)O. The presence of the citrate anion prevents precipitation of simple lanthanide salts with polyoxometalates. The reaction of compound with alpha-alanine at pH = 2 resulted in the formation of a new alanine-decorated cryptand compound K(2)Na(10)[Ce(4)As(4)W(44)O(151)(ala)(4)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(10)]. approximately 40H(2)O. The reaction between compound and MnCl(2) at pH = 5 yielded the other inorganic cryptate Mn(0.5)K(5)Na(18)[Ce(4)As(4)W(41)O(149)]. approximately 50H(2)O. All compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, TG analyses, IR, UV-Vis absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), single crystal X-ray diffraction and electrochemical analyses. The crystal data for these compounds: , triclinic, P1[combining macron], a = 12.314(3) A, b = 17.953(4) A, c = 22.355(5) A, alpha = 90.18(3) degrees , beta = 101.97(3) degrees, gamma = 91.08(3) degrees , Z = 1; monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 23.4483(15) A, b = 21.8764(13) A, c = 23.6930(14) A, beta = 111.0560 degrees , Z = 2; , triclinic, P1[combining macron], a = 20.636(4) A, b = 23.000(4) A, c = 25.039(4) A, alpha = 81.991(3) degrees , beta = 73.333(3) degrees, gamma = 74.835(3) degrees, Z = 2. Electrochemical analyses of compounds suggest that tetravalent cerium ion can be stabilized by the polyanions with high negative charges.

Photophysics of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes formed with lacunary polyoxotungstates with iron addenda

The interactions between luminophore [Ru(bpy)3]2+, and the lacunary Dawson heteropolyanions, [P2W17O61(FeOH2)]7-, [P2W17O61(FeBr)]6- and [P2W17O61]10- were investigated using a combination of photophysics, optical and Raman spectroscopy. Extensive quenching of the excited state of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ was observed in each case. Quenching is attributed to the formation of association complexes between [Ru(bpy)(3)]2+ and the heteropolyanions in which the charge on the heteropolyanions is fully compensated for by the ruthenium polypyridyl species. The interaction appears to be principally electrostatic in nature producing [Ru(bpy)3]3.5[P2W17O61(FeOH2)], [Ru(bpy)3]3[P2W17O61(FeBr)] and [Ru(bpy)3]5[P2W17O61]10-. The association constants for formation of the clusters were obtained from photophysical studies and surprisingly, despite the electrostatic nature of the interaction, there was no correlation between the charge on the polyoxometallate and the association constant. In particular, the unsubstituted lacunary, [P2W17O61]10-, showed considerably weaker association compared to the transition metal substituted lacunaries, in spite of its 10- charge. Difference absorption spectroscopy revealed a new transition at ca. 480 nm for each of the cluster complexes. From resonance Raman spectroscopy the origin of this transition was found to involve the polyoxometallate. Unlike previously reported adducts, the cluster complexes formed were not luminescent. In all cases the cluster complexes exhibit remarkable photostability, with no photodecomposition or photo-induced ligand exchange reactions evident in acetonitrile, under conditions where [Ru(bpy)3]2+ alone exhibits considerable photolability.

Multi-Iron Wells−Dawson Heteropolytungstates. Electrochemical Probing of Siderophoric Behavior in Sandwich-Type Complexes

The demetalation process of 10 multi-iron Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates is studied by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. Eight sandwich-type complexes (alphaalphaalphaalpha-Na(16)[(NaOH(2))(2)(Fe(III))(2)(X(2)W(15)O(56))(2)], alphaalphabetaalpha-Na(14)[(NaOH(2))(Fe(III)OH(2))(Fe(III))(2)(X(2)W(15)O(56))(2)], alphabetabetaalpha-Na(12)[(Fe(III)OH(2))(2)(Fe(III))(2)(X(2)W(15)O(56))(2)], and alphabetabetaalpha-Na(14)[(Mn(II)OH(2))(2)(Fe(III))(2)(X(2)W(15)O(56))(2)] (where X = P(V) or As(V))) and two monomeric complexes (alpha-Na(11)[(P(2)(Fe(III)Cl)(2)(Fe(III)OH(2))W(15)O(59))] and alpha-Na(11)[(As(2)(Fe(III)Cl)(2)Fe(III)OH(2))W(15)O(59))]) were selected for this study. All 10 complexes show Fe(III) waves which are well-separated from the redox activity of the W(VI) centers. At room temperature and under mild conditions, iron release from the complexes is observed upon reduction of the Fe(III) centers. This release is controlled by the ionic strength of the medium, the nature and concentration of the anions present in the supporting electrolyte, and by the pH of the solution. This behavior parallels those described for most siderophores which depend on the same parameters.

Decomposition of A-Type Sandwiches. Synthesis and Characterization of New Polyoxometalates Incorporating Multiple d-Electron-Centered Units

The controlled decomposition of the sandwich-type polyoxometalates K(12)[(M(OH(2))(2))(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)] (where M = Mn(II) or Co(II)) in 0.5 M NaCl yields a new family of transition metal substituted POMs of the general formula [((MOH(2))M(2)PW(9)O(34))(2)(PW(6)O(26))](17)(-) (where M = Mn(II) (1Mn) or Co(II) (1Co)). The structure of 1Mn, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (a = 17.4682(10) A, b = 22.3071(12) A, c = 35.1195(18) A, beta = 95.898(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R(1) = 6.19%, based on 50264 independent reflections), consists of two B-alpha-(Mn(II)OH(2))Mn(II)(2)PW(9)O(34)(3)(-) units joined by a B-type hexavacant PW(6)O(26)(11)(-) fragment to form a C-shaped polyoxometalate. A low resolution X-ray structure of the Co(II) analogue, 1Co, was also obtained. The UV-visible spectrum of 1Co shows the characteristic charge-transfer bands of polyoxometalates as well as a new Co-centered peak (560 nm, epsilon = 416 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) which appears at a higher wavelength relative to that exhibited by the parent A-type sandwich, K(12)[(Co(OH(2))(2))(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)]. The methyltricaprylammonium salt of 1Mn is an effective catalyst for the H(2)O(2)-based epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene, cyclohexene, and 1-hexene.

Multi-iron tungstodiarsenates. Synthesis, characterization, and electrocatalytic studies of alphabetabetaalpha-(Fe(III)OH(2))(2)Fe(III)(2)(As(2)W(15)O(56))(2)(12)(-)

Reaction of the trivacant lacunary complex, alpha-Na(12)[As(2)W(15)O(56)], with an aqueous solution of Fe(NO(3))(3).9H(2)O yields the sandwich-type polyoxometalate, alphabetabetaalpha-Na(12)(Fe(III)OH(2))(2)Fe(III)(2)(As(2)W(15)O(56))(2) (Na1). The structure of this complex, determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (a = 13.434(1) A, b = 13.763(1) A, c = 22.999(2) A, alpha = 90.246(2) degrees, beta = 102.887(2) degrees, gamma = 116.972(1) degrees, triclinic, Ponemacr;, R1 = 5.5%, based on 25342 independent reflections), consists of an Fe(III)(4) unit sandwiched between two trivacant alpha-As(2)W(15)O(56)(12)(-) moieties. UV-vis, infrared, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis data are all consistent with the structure determined from X-ray analysis. Magnetization studies confirm that the four Fe(III) centers are antiferromagnetically coupled. A cyclic voltammogram of Na1 reveals that a three-wave W(VI) system replaces the two-wave W(VI) system found in the precursor alpha-As(2)W(15)O(56)(12)(-) complex. The observed modifications in the CV patterns of Na1 and alpha-As(2)W(15)O(56)(12)(-) are most likely due to subsequent changes in the acid-base properties of two reduced POMs that occur as a result of Fe(III) incorporation. Na1 is shown to be more efficient than the monosubstituted complex alpha(2)-As(2)(Fe(III)OH(2))W(17)O(61)(7)(-) in the electrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen. This is attributed to cooperativity effects among the adjacent Fe(III) centers in Na1.

Sandwich-type phosphotungstates: structure, electrochemistry, and magnetism of the trinickel-substituted polyoxoanion [Ni(3)Na(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](11-)

The novel nickel-substituted, dimeric phosphotungstate [Ni(3)Na(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](11-) (1) has been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and electrochemistry. X-ray single-crystal analysis was carried out on Na(11)[Ni(3)Na(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)].21.25H(2)O, which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 12.2467(6) A, b = 16.6031(7) A, c = 22.4017(12) A, alpha = 73.9870(10) degrees, beta = 87.6060(10) degrees, gamma = 79.344(2) degrees, and Z = 2. The polyanion consists of two lacunary B-alpha-[PW(9)O(34)](9-) Keggin moieties linked via three nickel(II) centers and a sodium ion. The structure of 1 is composed of two fused Keggin fragments that represent different Baker-Figgis isomers (alpha- vs beta-type). Electrochemical studies show that 1 exhibits a stable and reproducible voltammetric pattern, with a first wave featuring a chemically reversible four-electron/four-proton process. An investigation of the magnetic properties indicates that the three nickel centers exhibit ferromagnetic exchange interaction.

Synthesis and characterization of iron(III)-substituted, dimeric polyoxotungstates, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](n-) (n = 6, X = As(III), Sb(III); n = 4, X = Se(IV), Te(IV))

Interaction of the lacunary [alpha-XW(9)O(33)](9-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) with Fe(3+) ions in acidic, aqueous medium leads to the formation of dimeric polyoxoanions, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) in high yield. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-AsW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, with a = 20.2493(18) A, b = 15.2678(13) A, c = 16.0689(14) A, beta = 95.766(2) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SbW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O is isomorphous with a = 20.1542(18) A, b = 15.2204(13) A, c = 16.1469(14) A, and beta = 95.795(2) degrees. The selenium and tellurium analogues are also reported, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) (X = Se(IV), Te(IV)). They are synthesized from sodium tungstate and a source of the heteroatom as precursors. X-ray single-crystal analysis was carried out on Cs(4)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)] x 21H(2)O, which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P macro 1, with a = 12.6648(10) A, b = 12.8247(10) A, c = 16.1588(13) A, alpha = 75.6540(10) degrees, beta = 87.9550(10) degrees, gamma = 64.3610(10) gamma, and Z = 1. All title polyanions consist of two (beta-XW(9)O(33)) units joined by a central pair and a peripheral pair of Fe(3+) ions leading to a structure with idealized C(2h) symmetry. It was also possible to synthesize the Cr(III) derivatives [Cr(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)), the tungstoselenates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16)(-)(4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), and the tungstotellurates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-TeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16-4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), as determined by FTIR. The electrochemical properties of the iron-containing species were also studied. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry aided in distinguishing between Fe(3+) and W(6+) waves. By variation of pH and scan rate, it was possible to observe the stepwise reduction of the Fe(3+) centers.