Entangled structures in polyoxometalate-based coordination polymers

Platonic and Archimedean solids in discrete metal-containing clusters

Metal-containing clusters have attracted increasing attention over the past 2-3 decades. This intense interest can be attributed to the fact that these discrete metal aggregates, whose atomically precise structures are resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), often possess intriguing geometrical features (high symmetry, aesthetically pleasing shapes and architectures) and fascinating physical properties, providing invaluable opportunities for the intersection of different disciplines including chemistry, physics, mathematical geometry and materials science. In this review, we attempt to reinterpret and connect these fascinating clusters from the perspective of Platonic and Archimedean solid characteristics, focusing on highly symmetrical and complex metal-containing (metal = Al, Ti, V, Mo, W, U, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, lanthanoids (Ln), and actinoids) high-nuclearity clusters, including metal-oxo/hydroxide/chalcogenide clusters and metal clusters (with metal-metal binding) protected by surface organic ligands, such as thiolate, phosphine, alkynyl, carbonyl and nitrogen/oxygen donor ligands. Furthermore, we present the symmetrical beauty of metal cluster structures and the geometrical similarity of different types of clusters and provide a large number of examples to show how to accurately describe the metal clusters from the perspective of highly symmetrical polyhedra. Finally, knowledge and further insights into the design and synthesis of unknown metal clusters are put forward by summarizing these "star" molecules.

Tungsten and Molybdenum Heteropolyanions with Different Central Ions—Correlation between Theory and Experiment

Density functional theory calculations were carried out to investigate the electronic structures of Keggin-typed [XMo₁₂O₄₀]ⁿ⁻ and [XW₁₂O₄₀]ⁿ⁻ anions with different heteroatoms (X = Zn²⁺, B³⁺, Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, Si⁴⁺, Ge⁴⁺, P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺, and S⁶⁺). The influence of solvent on redox properties of heteropolyanions was discussed. For [XW₁₂O₄₀]ⁿ⁻ systems two linear correlation: first, between the experimental redox potential and energies of LUMO orbital; and second, between the experimental redox potential and total energy interaction (calculated between internal tetrahedron (XO₄ⁿ⁻), and rest of Kegging anion skeleton, (W₁₂O₃₆)) were designated. Taking into account the similarity of XW₁₂O₄₀ⁿ⁻ and XMo₁₂O₄₀ⁿ⁻ systems (in geometry and electronic structure), the estimated redox potential of molybdenum heteropolyanions (with X being p block elements) in different solvent were proposed.

Chiral Phosphotungstate Functionalized with (S)-1-Phenylethylamine: Synthesis, Characterization, and Asymmetric Epoxidation of Styrene

In the present work, an attempt has been made to induce chirality in copper-substituted phosphotungstate (PW₁₁Cu) by functionalization with (S)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine (S-PEA) via a ligand substitution approach. The formation of a N→Cu dative bond was confirmed by ¹³C NMR, while ¹H NMR, circular dichroism spectroscopy and optical rotation studies confirmed the introduction of chirality to the Keggin structure. The synthesized material was used as the heterogeneous catalyst for the asymmetric epoxidation of styrene using various green oxidants to obtain high enantiomeric excess (ee), and the reaction with molecular oxygen was found to give the best ee. Regeneration studies were carried out, and the catalyst was found to be suitable for the same. A probable mechanism is also proposed. A comparison with other copper-based polyoxometalate catalysts clearly demonstrate the superiority and novelty of the present catalyst in terms of the reaction conditions as well as the obtained ee.

Wells-Dawson Arsenotungstate Porous Derivatives for Electrochemical Supercapacitor Electrodes and Electrocatalytically Active Materials

Two Wells-Dawson arsenotungstate coordination polymers, [{Cu^II(bim)₂}₃(As₂W₁₈O₆₂)] (1) and [(Cu^I₁₀pz₁₀Cl₄)(As₂W₁₈O₆₂)] (bim = 2,2'-biimidazole; pz = pyrazine), have been assembled via a hydrothermal method and fully characterized. Compound 1 exhibits a 2,6-connected two-dimensional hybrid layer based on asymmetrically modified {As₂W₁₈} anions and {Cu(bim)₂} linkers, which is extended to a three-dimensional network with a special interlayer structure and a one-dimensional tunnel. Compound 2 is a host-guest framework that consists of a Cu-pz-Cl network with 20-member square rings, 16-member irregular rings, and embedded eight-node {As₂W₁₈} guest molecules. Compounds 1 and 2 show uncommon specific capacitance (834.8 and 960.1 F g^-1, respectively, at a current density of 2.4 A g^-1), enduring cycling stability (capacitance retention rates of 89.3% and 91.9%, respectively, after 5000 cycles), and good electrical conductivity, which are superior to those of the unmodified zero-dimensional Dawson arsenotungstate compound and most reported electrode materials in terms of their stable structure, special layer spacing, and orderly channels. Moreover, the title compounds exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxidizing ascorbic acid and reducing nitrite.

A Copper-Containing Polyoxometalate-Based Metal-Organic Framework as an Efficient Catalyst for Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Alkylbenzenes

A copper-containing polyoxometalate-based metal-organic framework (POMOF), Cu^I₁₂Cl₂(trz)₈[HPW₁₂O₄₀] (HENU-7, HENU = Henan University; trz = 1,2,4-triazole), has been successfully synthesized and well-characterized. In addition, the excellent catalytic ability of HENU-7 has been proved by the selective oxidation of diphenylmethane. Under the optimal conditions, the diphenylmethane conversion obtained over HENU-7 is 96%, while the selectivity to benzophenone is 99%, which outperforms most noble-metal-free POM-based catalysts. Moreover, HENU-7 is stable to reuse for five runs without an obvious loss in activity and also can catalyze the oxidation of different benzylic C-H with satisfactory conversions and selectivities, which implied the significant catalytic activity and recyclability.

Keggin-type polyoxometalate-containing metal–organic hybrids as friction materials for triboelectric nanogenerators

The POM-based inorganic–organic hybrids with different structures were assembled and used as the friction materials to construct TENGs and the results demonstrated that the output performance was closely related to the dielectric constant.

An unprecedented cobalt(ii)-containing Wells–Dawson-type tungstovanadate-based metal–organic framework as an efficient catalyst for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

An unprecedented organic–inorganic hybrid material based on Wells–Dawson-type tungstovanadate building blocks and cobalt(ii)–organic framework with a bis(triazole) ligand was prepared and employed to catalyze solvent-free ROP of caprolactone.

Enclosing classical polyoxometallates in silver nanoclusters

Due to the elusive nature of polyoxometallates (POMs) in the assembly of silver clusters, POMs trapped by silver clusters are usually different from the pristine form, which surely increases the novelty of the assembly results but makes the final structure predictability challenging. Herein, three novel high-nuclearity silver-thiolate clusters trapping two kinds of classical POMs, Lindqvist-Mo6O192- and V10O286-, are reported. They are identified to be [(V10O28)@Ag44] (SD/Ag44a), [(V10O28)@Ag46] (SD/Ag46), and [(Mo6O19)@Ag44] (SD/Ag44b) clusters, which are further extended to 1D chain, 2D sql layer, and 3D pcu framework, respectively. Of note, SD/Ag44b contains a regular cubic Mo6O19 core sealed by an Ag44(EtS)24 shell in a pseudo-sodalite unit and six SCl4 planar squares connecting the respective adjacent silver tetragonal faces. This structure is a novel zeolite closely related to the natural alumino-silicate 'sodalite' but exceptionally made of core-shell silver clusters. Moreover, the Oh symmetric Mo6O192- templates an Oh symmetric Ag44 cluster in SD/Ag44b, realizing authentic symmetry delivery from guest to host in this system. This is a rare silver cluster family with classical POMs encapsulated.

Multi-Tasking POM Systems

Polyoxometalate (POM)-based materials of current interest are summarized, and specific types of POM-containing systems are described in which material facilitates multiple complex interactions or catalytic processes. We specifically highlight POM-containing multi-hydrogen-bonding polymers that form gels upon exposure to select organic liquids and simultaneously catalyze hydrolytic or oxidative decontamination, as well as water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) that can be interfaced with light-absorbing photoelectrode materials for photoelectrocatalytic water splitting.

Structural Transformations of Amino-Acid-Based Polymers: Syntheses and Structural Characterization

A discrete complex [Zn(tpro)₂(H₂O)₂] (1, Htpro = l-thioproline), and two structural isomers of coordination polymers, a 1D chain of [Zn(tpro)₂]_n (2) and a layered structure [Zn(tpro)₂]_n (3), were synthesized and characterized. The discrete complex 1 undergoes a temperature-driven structural transformation, leading to the formation of a 1D helical coordination polymer 2. Compound 3 is comprised of a 2D homochiral layer network with a (4,4) topology. These layers are mutually linked through hydrogen bonding interactions, resulting in the formation of a 3D network. When 1 is heated, it undergoes nearly complete conversion to the microcrystalline form, i.e., compound 2, which was confirmed by powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD). The carboxylate motifs could be activated after removing the coordinated water molecules by heating at temperatures of up to 150 °C, their orientations becoming distorted, after which, they attacked the activation sites of the Zn(II) centers, leading to the formation of a 1D helix. Moreover, a portion of the PXRD pattern of 1 was converted into the patterns corresponding to 2 and 3, and the ratio between 2 and 3 was precisely determined by the simulation study of in-situ synchrotron PXRD expriments. Consequently, such a 0D complex is capable of underdoing structural transformations and can be converted into 1D and/or 2D amino acid-based coordination polymers.

Liquid-free single-crystal to single-crystal transformations in coordination polymers

Single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) transformations not only can create new materials, but also provide an opportunity to explore the process of forming a chemical bond. SCSC transformations discussed in this paper are confined to transformationsviaan absolutely liquid-free mode and involve the breakage and formation of new chemical bonds.

Bottom-up synthesis of functionalized {Ce4(SiW9O34)2(l)2} polyoxometalates

Bottom-up synthesis allows the formation of four organic-functionalized Ce^IV containing polyoxometalates and one unprecedented polyanion stabilizing two different Ce^IV clusters.

Effective photocatalytic and bifunctional electrocatalytic materials based on Keggin arsenomolybdates and different transition metal capped assemblies

V, Co, and Cu were introduced into {AsMo₁₂} system to build three Keggin derivatives with different caps, which show excellent photocatalytic activity and bifunctional electrocatalytic behavior.

Efficient and robust photocatalysts based on {P2W18} modified by an Ag complex

Ag⁺ and the flexible ligand bimb were introduced into Dawson phosphomolybdate systems as linkage units to induce two fascinating 3-D inorganic–organic networks, which exhibit excellent electro- and photo-catalytic behavior.

Selective Isolation of Myosin Subfragment-1 with a DNA-Polyoxovanadate Bioconjugate

The bioconjugation of a polyoxometalate (POMs), i.e., dodecavanadate (V₁₂O₃₂), to DNA strands produces a functional labeled DNA primer, V₁₂O₃₂-DNA. The grafting of DNA primer onto streptavidin-coated magnetic nanoparticles (SVM) produces a novel composite, V₁₂O₃₂-DNA@SVM. The high binding-affinity of V₁₂O₃₂ with the ATP binding site in myosin subfragment-1 (S1) facilitates favorable adsorption of myosin, with an efficiency of 99.4% when processing 0.1 mL myosin solution (100 μg mL^-1) using 0.1 mg composite. Myosin adsorption fits the Langmuir model, corresponding to a theoretical adsorption capacity of 613.5 mg g^-1. The retained myosin is readily recovered by 1% SDS (m/m), giving rise to a recovery of 58.7%. No conformational change is observed for myosin after eliminating SDS by ultrafiltration. For practical use, high-purity myosin S1 is obtained by separation of myosin from the rough protein extract from porcine left ventricle, followed by digestion with α-chymotryptic and further isolation of S1 subfragment. The purified myosin S1 is identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/mass spectrometry, giving rise to a sequence coverage of 38%.

The effects of altering reaction conditions in green sonochemical synthesis of a thallium(I) coordination polymer and in achieving to different morphologies of thallium(III) oxide nanostructures via solid-state process

In order to studies the effects of solvent and concentration of initial reagents on formation of [Tl(μ₄-AB)]_n (1), [HAB=4-aminobenzoic acid] coordination polymer, some experiments were designed and four samples of 1 were synthesized by sonochemical process. High concentration of initial reagents resulted in formation of compound 1 microrods. With low concentration of initial reagents, various morphologies of 1 were obtained. These four samples had been used as new precursors for preparation of thallium(III) oxide nanostructures via solid-state thermal decomposition process. One- and two-dimensional nanostructures of thallium(III) oxide can be prepared from 1. These micro and nanostructures were characterized by IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

The basket-type dimer layers based on tetra-electron reduced heteropoly blue directed by copper/nickel and strontium linkers

Two basket-type dimer layers have been prepared, which exhibit highly efficient catalytic ability for the degradation of typical dyes and bifunctional electrocatalytic behaviors.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-peanuts of lead(II) coordination polymer [Pb(qcnh)(NO3)2]n with ultrasonic assistance: A new precursor for the preparation of pure-phase nano-sized PbO

A sonochemical method was used to synthesize nano-peanuts of a new lead(II) coordination 1D polymer, [Pb(qcnh)(NO₃)₂]_n (1), where qcnh=2-quinolincarbaldehyde nicotinohydrazide. The compound was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and single crystal X-ray analysis. The X-ray structure revealed that the Pb(II) atom is coordinated by one oxygen and three nitrogen atoms from two qcnh ligands and five oxygen atoms from three nitrate ligands in an 8+1 fashion with a PbN₃O₆ donor set. One of the PdN distances in the vicinity of the central atom is a bit longer (Pb1N1=2.939(4) Å), which shows the effect of the 6s² lone electron pair localized within the valence shell of the lead(II) atom. PbO nanoparticles were obtained by thermolysis of 1 at 180°C with oleic acid as a surfactant. The average diameter of the nanoparticles was estimated by XRD to be 28nm. The morphology and size of the prepared PbO nanoparticles were further studied using SEM.