Aqueous Speciation Studies of Europium(III) Phosphotungstate

Structural and Chemical Effects of the Surrounding Cations and Coexisting Compounds on [M(α-PW11O39)2]n

The effects of countercations and coexisting compounds on the molecular structure of the [M(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] ^n- polyanion were analyzed in terms of the repulsion and twisting of two [α-PW₁₁O₃₉]^7- units. More specifically, it was found that two [α-PW₁₁O₃₉]^7- ions approached one another upon reducing the ionic radius of M in [M(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] ^n-. The interactive twisting of the [α-PW₁₁O₃₉]^7- units prevented mutual repulsion of the units containing terminal O atoms, and the tendency for approach and twisting of the [α-PW₁₁O₃₉]^7- units varied as a function of the type of countercation and the presence of coexisting compounds. Overall, this study demonstrated that some interactions between the counteraction and coexisting compounds with [M(α-PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] ^n- determined the molecular conformation and the isolated form of the polyanion.

Contrasting Trivalent Lanthanide and Actinide Complexation by Polyoxometalates via Solution-State NMR

Deciphering the solution chemistry and speciation of actinides is inherently difficult due to radioactivity, rarity, and cost constraints, especially for transplutonium elements. In this context, the development of new chelating platforms for actinides and associated spectroscopic techniques is particularly important. In this study, we investigate a relatively overlooked class of chelators for actinide binding, namely, polyoxometalates (POMs). We provide the first NMR measurements on americium-POM and curium-POM complexes, using one-dimensional (1D) ³¹P NMR, variable-temperature NMR, and spin-lattice relaxation time (T₁) experiments. The proposed POM-NMR approach allows for the study of trivalent f-elements even when only microgram amounts are available and in phosphate-containing solutions where f-elements are typically insoluble. The solution-state speciation of trivalent americium, curium, plus multiple lanthanide ions (La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺, and Lu³⁺), in the presence of the model POM ligand PW₁₁O₃₉^7- was elucidated and revealed the concurrent formation of two stable complexes, [M^III(PW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)_x]^4- and [M^III(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]^11-. Interconversion reaction constants, reaction enthalpies, and reaction entropies were derived from the NMR data. The NMR results also provide experimental evidence of the weakly paramagnetic nature of the Am³⁺ and Cm³⁺ ions in solution. Furthermore, the study reveals a previously unnoticed periodicity break along the f-element series with the reversal of T₁ relaxation times of the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes and the preferential formation of the long T₁ species for the early lanthanides versus the short T₁ species for the late lanthanides, americium, and curium. Given the broad variety of POM ligands that exist, with many of them containing NMR-active nuclei, the combined POM-NMR approach reported here opens a new avenue to investigate difficult-to-study elements such as heavy actinides and other radionuclides.

Uranium-free X solution: a new generation contrast agent for biological samples ultrastructure

Biological samples are mainly composed of elements with a low atomic number which show a relatively low electron scattering power. For Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis, biological samples are generally embedded in resins, which allow thin sectioning of the specimen. Embedding resins are also composed by light atoms, thus the contrast difference between the biological sample and the surrounding resin is minimal. Due to that reason in the last decades, several staining solutions and approaches, performed with heavy metal salts, have been developed with the purpose of enhancing both the intrinsic sample contrast and the differences between the sample and resin. The best staining was achieved with the uranyl acetate (UA) solution, which has been the election method for the study of morphology in biological samples. More recently several alternatives for UA have been proposed to get rid of its radiogenic issues, but to date none of these solutions has achieved efficiencies comparable to UA. In this work, we propose a different staining solution (X Solution or X SOL), characterized by lanthanide polyoxometalates (LnPOMs) as heavy atoms source, which could be used alternatively to UA in negative staining (NS), in en bloc staining, and post sectioning staining (PSS) of biological samples. Furthermore, we show an extensive chemical characterization of the LnPOM species present in the solution and the detailed work for its final formulation, which brought remarkable results, and even better performances than UA.

Discovery and isolation of the trans-isomers of two 1 : 2-type lanthanide-containing monolacunary Dawson-type tungstophosphates: [LnIII(α2-P2W17O61)2]17− (Ln = La, Ce)

Two novel trans-isomers of 1 : 2-type lanthanide-containing monolacunary Dawson-type tungstophosphates [Ln(α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)₂]¹⁷⁻ (Ln = La^III (1), Ce^III (2)) were successfully isolated and characterized.

Self-assembly of polyoxometalate-based hybrid aggregates: from a monomer to dimers by changing the pH value of reaction systems

This work is the first example of the self-assembly of polyoxometalate-based hybrid aggregates by changing the pH value of reaction systems.

Phosphate Ester Bond Hydrolysis Promoted by Lanthanide-Substituted Keggin-type Polyoxometalates Studied by a Combined Experimental and Density Functional Theory Approach

Hydrolytic cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP), a commonly used DNA model substrate, was examined in the presence of series of lanthanide-substituted Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) [Me₂NH₂]₁₁[Ce^III(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂], [Me₂NH₂]₁₀[Ce^IV(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] (abbreviated as (Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂), and K₄[EuPW₁₁O₃₉] by means of NMR and luminescence spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Among the examined complexes, the Ce(IV)-substituted Keggin POM (Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂) showed the highest reactivity, and its aqueous speciation was fully determined under different conditions of pD, temperature, concentration, and ionic strength by means of ³¹P and ³¹P diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy. The cleavage of the phosphoester bond of NPP in the presence of (Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂) proceeded with an observed rate constant k_obs = (5.31 ± 0.06) × 10^-6 s^-1 at pD 6.4 and 50 °C. The pD dependence of NPP hydrolysis exhibits a bell-shaped profile, with the fastest rate observed at pD 6.4. The formation constant (K_f = 127 M^-1) and catalytic rate constant (k_c = 19.41 × 10^-5 s^-1) for the NPP-Ce(IV)-Keggin POM complex were calculated, and binding between Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂ and the phosphate group of NPP was also evidenced by the change of the chemical shift of the ³¹P nucleus in NPP upon addition of the POM complex. DFT calculations revealed that binding of NPP to the parent catalyst Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂ is thermodynamically unlikely. On the contrary, formation of complexes with the monomeric 1:1 species, Ce^IVPW₁₁, is considered to be more favorable, and the most stable complex, [Ce^IVPW₁₁(H₂O)₂(NPP-κO)₂]^7-, was found to involve two NPP ligands coordinated to the Ce^IVcenter of Ce^IVPW₁₁ in the monodentate fashion. The formation of such species is considered to be responsible for the hydrolytic activity of Ce^IV(PW₁₁)₂ toward phosphomonoesters. On the basis of these findings a principle mechanism for the hydrolysis of NPP by the POM is proposed.

POM species, temperature and counterions modulated the various dimensionalities of POM-based metal–organic frameworks

A series of six POM-based metal–organic frameworks with various dimensionalities have been isolated by tuning the reaction conditions (POM species, reaction temperature and counterions).

Structural Characterization of the Complex between Hen Egg-White Lysozyme and Zr(IV) -Substituted Keggin Polyoxometalate as Artificial Protease

Successful co-crystallization of a noncovalent complex between hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) and the monomeric Zr(IV) -substituted Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) (Zr1 K1), (Et2 NH2)3 [Zr(PW11 O39)] (1), has been achieved, and its single-crystal X-ray structure has been determined. The dimeric Zr(IV) -substituted Keggin-type polyoxometalate (Zr1 K2), (Et2 NH2)10 [Zr(PW11 O39 )2] (2), has been previously shown to exhibit remarkable selectivity towards HEWL hydrolysis. The reported X-ray structure shows that the hydrolytically active Zr(IV) -substituted Keggin POM exists as a monomeric species. Prior to hydrolysis, this monomer interacts with HEWL in the vicinity of the previously identified cleavage sites found at Trp28-Val29 and Asn44-Arg45, through water-mediated H-bonding and electrostatic interactions. Three binding sites are observed at the interface of the negatively charged Keggin POM and the positively charged regions of HEWL at: 1) Gly16, Tyr20, and Arg21; 2) Asn44, Arg45, and Asn46; and 3) Arg128.

Eu(III) luminescence and tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy as a tool for understanding interactions between hen egg white lysozyme and metal-substituted Keggin type polyoxometalates

The interaction between the lacunary Keggin K7PW11O39, the Eu(III)-substituted Keggin K4EuPW11O39 (Eu-Keggin) and the Ce(IV)-substituted Keggin [Me2NH2]10[Ce(PW11O39)2] (Ce-Keggin) polyoxometalates (POMs), and the proteins hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and the structurally homologous α-lactalbumin (α-LA) was studied by steady state and time-resolved Eu(III) luminescence and tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence spectroscopy. The excitation spectrum of Eu-Keggin at lower concentrations ([Eu-Keggin]<100 μM) is dominated by a ligand-to-metal charge transfer band (291 nm). For higher concentrations ([Eu-Keggin]>250 μM) the (5)L6←(7)F0 transition becomes the most intense peak. In the absence of protein, the number of coordinated water molecules to the Eu(III) centre of Eu-Keggin is 4, indicating a 1:1 Eu(III):POM species. In the presence of phosphate buffer this number linearly decreases from 4 to 2 upon increasing phosphate buffer concentration. Upon addition of HEWL, there are no coordinated water molecules, suggesting interaction between Eu-Keggin and the protein surface. In addition, this interaction results in a more than threefold increase of the hypersensitive (5)D0→(7)F2 transition for the Eu-Keggin/HEWL mixture. The calculated association constant amounted to 2.2×10(2) M(-1) for the Eu-Keggin/HEWL complex. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching studies were performed and the quenching constants were calculated to be 9.1×10(4) M(-1), 4×10(4) M(-1) and 4.1×10(5) M(-1) for the lacunary Keggin/HEWL, the Eu-Keggin/HEWL and the Ce-Keggin/HEWL complexes, respectively. The number of bound POM molecules to HEWL was 1.04 for the lacunary Keggin POM, and 1.0 for Eu-Keggin, indicating the formation of a 1:1 POM/HEWL complex. The value of 1.38 for Ce-Keggin might indicate a transition from 1:1 to 1:2 interaction.

Lanthanide-supported molybdenum–vanadium oxide clusters: syntheses, structures and catalytic properties

Three new species, originating from β-[Mo₆V₂O₂₆]⁶⁻ polyoxoanion and lanthanides, as heterogeneous catalysts exhibit good catalytic activities toward the cyanosilylation reaction.

Tuning the topology structures of polymolybdate-based hybrids from interpenetrated framework to interdigitated architecture via changing polymolybdate clusters

Three distinct hybrids were synthesized by modulating polyoxomolybdates, which suggests that both the size and the charge of polyoxometalates play a key role in the assembling.

Alkaline earth guests in polyoxopalladate chemistry: from nanocube to nanostar via an open-shell structure

The three novel, discrete palladium(II)-oxo clusters [CaPd12O8(PhAsO3)8](6-) (CaPd12), [SrPd12O6(OH)3(PhAsO3)6(OAc)3](4-) (SrPd12), and [BaPd15O10(PhAsO3)10](8-) (BaPd15) encapsulating alkaline earth metal ions were prepared and fully characterized by a multitude of solution and solid-state physicochemical techniques. We have discovered a structure-directing template effect induced by the respective size of the alkaline earth guest ion, which determines the detailed condensation arrangement of the peripheral Pd(II)-oxo shell. The unprecedented SrPd12 with an open-shell type structure is of particular importance and reflects a successful strategy for deliberate design of new structural classes of polyoxo-noble-metalates. Furthermore, the unusual acetate-water ligand exchange phenomenon renders SrPd12 as a promising candidate for noble-metal-based catalysis.

Molecular interactions between serum albumin proteins and Keggin type polyoxometalates studied using luminescence spectroscopy

The interaction between the plenary Keggin H3PW12O40, lacunary Keggin K7PW11O39 and the Eu(III)-substituted Keggin K4EuPW11O39 (Eu-Keggin) type polyoxometalates (POMs), and the proteins human and bovine serum albumin (HSA and BSA) was studied using steady state and time-resolved Eu(III) luminescence and tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence spectroscopy. The excitation spectrum of the Eu-Keggin POM is dominated by a ligand-to-metal charge transfer band at 291 nm. In the absence of proteins, the number of water molecules coordinated in the first coordination sphere of the Eu(III) center of Eu-Keggin was determined to be 4, indicating that Eu(III) occurs as a 1 : 1 isomer in solution. In the presence of HSA or BSA, the number of coordinated water molecules decreased to 0 and 1, respectively, suggesting interaction between the Eu-Keggin POM and the protein surface. As a result of this interaction, a five-fold increase of the hypersensitive (5)D0 → (7)F2 transition in the luminescence intensity was observed for the Eu-Keggin-HSA complex. The association constants were calculated to be 1.5 × 10(2) M(-1) and 2.0 × 10(3) M(-1) for the Eu-Keggin-HSA and Eu-Keggin-BSA complexes, respectively. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching studies were performed and the quenching constants were calculated using a Stern-Volmer analysis. The obtained values of the quenching constants were 6.1 × 10(4) M(-1) and 2.0 × 10(6) M(-1) for the Eu-Keggin-HSA and Eu-Keggin-BSA complexes, respectively. The surface map of both proteins shows that the cavity containing the tryptophan has a positive surface potential, providing a specific binding site at the surface of albumin proteins for the negatively charged POM.

Tuning the dimension of POM-based inorganic–organic hybrids from 3D self-penetrating framework to 1D poly-pendant chain via changing POM clusters and introducing secondary spacers

The four compounds show distinct structure motifs, which illustrate that the POMs and the secondary spacers are key factors to tune the dimension of the POM-based hybrids.

Lanthanoid containing phosphotungstates: the syntheses, crystal structure, electrochemistry, photoluminescence and magnetic properties

A series of Peacock and Weakley type dimers was synthesized in a one pot reaction with high yield using ligand [P₂W₁₉O₆₉(H₂O)]¹⁴⁻. All nano clusters were structurally characterized by various analytical techniques.

Two dysprosium-incorporated tungstoarsenates: synthesis, structures and magnetic properties

Two dysprosium-containing tungstoarsenates [C(NH(2))(3)](11)[Dy(2)(Hcit)(2)(AsW(10)O(38))]·9H(2)O (1) and K(8-n)H(3-n)[Dy(3-n)K(n)(H(2)O)(3)(CO(3))(A-α-AsW(9)O(34))(A-β-AsW(9)O(34))]·22H(2)O (n = 0 or 1) (2) have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses and infrared spectroscopy. Compound 1 is a citrate-decorated Keggin type di-substituted Ln/POM derivative with the two non-adjacent substituted sites occupied. Compound 2 is composed of two different trivacant Keggin unit isomers [A-α-AsW(9)O(34)](9-) and [A-β-AsW(9)O(34)](9-), linked to each other via one {Dy(3-n)K(n)(H(2)O)(3)(CO(3))}((7 - 2n)+) (n = 0 or 1) unit, where CO(3)(2-) is encapsulated in the triangle plane, resulting in a stable dysprosium carbonate-containing sandwich-type polyoxoanion with D(2h) symmetry. The investigation on both static and dynamic magnetic properties of 1 and 2 show that the magnetic relaxation behavior of 2 appear in a static magnetic field of 5000 Oe, while 1 shows no positive out-of-phase ac susceptibility.

Polyoxometalates functionalized by bisphosphonate ligands: synthesis, structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic characterizations and activity on tumor cell lines

We report the synthesis and characterization of eight new Mo, W, or V-containing polyoxometalate (POM) bisphosphonate complexes with metal nuclearities ranging from 1 to 6. The compounds were synthesized in water by treating Mo(VI), W(VI), V(IV), or V(V) precursors with biologically active bisphosphonates H(2)O(3)PC(R)(OH)PO(3)H(2) (R = C(3)H(6)NH(2), Ale; R = CH(2)S(CH(3))(2), Sul and R = C(4)H(5)N(2), Zol, where Ale = alendronate, Sul = (2-Hydroxy-2,2-bis-phosphono-ethyl)-dimethyl-sulfonium and Zol = zoledronate). Mo(6)(Sul)(2) and Mo(6)(Zol)(2) contain two trinuclear Mo(VI) cores which can rotate around a central oxo group while Mo(Ale)(2) and W(Ale)(2) are mononuclear species. In V(5)(Ale)(2) and V(5)(Zol)(2) a central V(IV) ion is surrounded by two V(V) dimers bound to bisphosphonate ligands. V(6)(Ale)(4) can be viewed as the condensation of one V(5)(Ale)(2) with one additional V(IV) ion and two Ale ligands, while V(3)(Zol)(3) is a triangular V(IV) POM. These new POM bisphosphonates complexes were all characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The stability of the Mo and W POMs was studied by (31)P NMR spectroscopy and showed that all compounds except the mononuclear Mo(Ale)(2) and W(Ale)(2) were stable in solution. EPR measurements performed on the vanadium derivatives confirmed the oxidation state of the V ions and evidenced their stability in aqueous solution. Electrochemical studies on V(5)(Ale)(2) and V(5)(Zol)(2) showed reduction of V(V) to V(IV), and magnetic susceptibility investigations on V(3)(Zol)(3) enabled a detailed analysis of the magnetic interactions. The presence of zoledronate or vanadium correlated with the most potent activity (IC(50)~1-5 μM) against three human tumor cell lines.