An original electrochemical pathway for the synthesis of porphyrin oligomers.

An electrosynthesis process has allowed the formation of four oligomers, containing three, four, or five macrocycles. This method is based on the nucleophilic attack of porphyrins substituted by several pendant pyridyl groups to the electrogenerated radical cation of zinc ß-octaethylporphyrin (ZnOEP), according to an ECEC processes. Thus, a control of the number of macrocycles and of the geometry of the oligomers can be performed. These new compounds have been characterized by HRMS as well as (1)H NMR, UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The results show a strong influence of the pyridinium spacers on the macrocycles.

Spectroscopic and electrochemical study of the interconversion and decomplexation of cobalt(II) sandwich polyoxometalates based on a Dawson-type anion.

The reaction of the trivacant Dawson polyoxometalate α-[P(2)W(15)O(56)](12-) and the divalent cations Co(2+) is known to form a symmetrically derived sandwich complex of formula ßß-[Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-) [symbolized as ßß-Co(4)(P(2)W(15))(2)] at low pH (ca. pH 3). We have shown previously that, by a slight modification of the reaction conditions, trinuclear αß-[(NaOH(2))Co(3)(H(2)O)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](17-) and dinuclear [(NaOH(2))(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](18-) complexes [symbolized as αß-NaCo(3)(P(2)W(15))(2) and Na(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15))(2), respectively] can be synthesized as aqueous-soluble sodium salts. αß-NaCo(3)(P(2)W(15))(2) is a "lacunary" sandwich complex that can add a Co(2+) cation to form nearly quantitatively an unsymmetrical Dawson tetracobalt sandwich polyoxometalate, αß-[Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-) [symbolized as αß-Co(4)(P(2)W(15))(2)]. Thus, for Co(4)(P(2)W(15))(2), the junctions between the trivacant {P(2)W(15)} subunits and the central tetrameric unit can be either both ß type or ß and α types. The interconversion between αß-Co(4)(P(2)W(15))(2) and ßß-Co(4)(P(2)W(15))(2) and the decomplexation process at low pH, leading to the formation of αß-NaCo(3)(P(2)W(15))(2) and/or Na(2)Co(2)(P(2)W(15))(2), have been followed in aqueous solution at various pH values by electrochemistry, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy.

Reduced molybenum-oxide-based core-shell hybrids: "blue" electrons are delocalized on the shell.

The present study refers to a variety of reduced metal-oxide core-shell hybrids, which are unique with regard to their electronic structure, their geometry, and their formation. They contain spherical {Mo72Fe30} Keplerate-type shells encapsulating Keggin-type polyoxomolybdates based on very weak interactions. Studies on the encapsulation of molybdosilicate as well as on the earlier reported molybdophosphate, coupled with the use of several physical methods for the characterization led to unprecedented results (see title). Upon standing in air at room temperature, acidified aqueous solutions obtained by dissolving sodium molybdate, iron(II) chloride, acetic acid, and molybdosilicic acid led to the precipitation of monoclinic greenish crystals (1). A rhombohedral variant (2) has also been observed. Upon drying at room temperature, compound 3 with a layer structure was obtained from 1 in a solid-state reaction based on cross-linking of the shells. The compounds 1, 2, and 3 have been characterized by a combination of methods including single-crystal X-ray crystallography, magnetic studies, as well as IR, Mössbauer, (resonance) Raman, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. In connection with detailed studies of the guest-free two-electron-reduced {Mo72Fe30}-type Keplerate (4) and of the previously reported molybdophosphate-based hybrids (including 31P NMR spectroscopy results), it is unambiguously proved that 1, 2, and 3 contain non-reduced Keggin ion cores and reduced {Mo72Fe30}-type shells. The results are discussed in terms of redox considerations (the shell as well as the core can be reduced) including those related to the reduction of "molybdates" by FeII being of interdisciplinary including catalytic interest (the MoVI/MoV and FeIII/FeII couples have very close redox potentials!), while also referring to the special formation of the hybrids based on chemical Darwinism.

Insights into the coordination chemistry of phosphonate derivatives of heteropolyoxotungstates.

The coordination properties of vacant bisphosphonate derivatives of polyoxometalates, with easily tunable functions, have been explored. The preparation and crystallographic structure of their La(3+) and Zr(4+) complexes are described herein.

Organosilyl/-germyl polyoxotungstate hybrids for covalent grafting onto silicon surfaces: towards molecular memories.

Organosilyl/-germyl polyoxotungstate hybrids [PW(9)O(34)(tBuSiO)(3)Ge(CH(2))(2)CO(2)H](3-) (1a), [PW(9)O(34)(tBuSiO)(3)Ge(CH(2))(2)CONHCH(2)C[triple bond]CH](3-) (2 a), [PW(11)O(39)Ge(CH(2))(2)CO(2)H](4-) (3a), and [PW(11)O(39)Ge(CH(2))(2)CONHCH(2)C[triple bond]CH](4-) (4a) have been prepared as tetrabutylammonium salts and characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of (NBu(4))(3)1a.H(2)O has been determined and the electrochemical behavior of 1a and 2a has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Covalent grafting of 2a onto an n-type silicon wafer has been achieved and the electrochemical behavior of the grafted clusters has been investigated. This represents the first example of covalent grafting of Keggin-type clusters onto a Si surface and a step towards the realization of POM-based multilevel memory devices.

Vicinal dinitridoruthenium-substituted polyoxometalates gamma-[XW10O38{RuN}2]6- (X = Si or Ge).

Reaction of the divacant polyoxometalate K(8)[gamma-XW(10)O(36)] (X = Si, Ge) with two equivalents of the metal-nitrido precursor Cs(2)[Ru(VI)NCl(5)], at room temperature in water, produces K(2)(Me(2)NH(2))(2)H(2)[gamma-XW(10)O(38){RuN}(2)], X = Si (DMA-1 a) or Ge (DMA-1 b). The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes show monomeric complexes with highly unusual vicinal terminal metal-nitrido units. The Ru[triple bond]N bond lengths are 1.594(10) and 1.612(11) A in 1 a and 1 b, respectively. EXAFS studies confirmed the key structural assignments from X-ray crystallography. The XANES spectrum of DMA-1 a, diamagnetism, NMR ((29)Si and (183)W) chemical shifts, voltammetric behavior, reductive titrations with [PW(12)O(40)](4-), and computational data are all consistent with d(2) Ru(VI) centers in these complexes. The FT-IR and Raman spectra show the expected vibrational modes of the {gamma-XW(10)} unit and the Ru[triple bond]N stretch at 1080 cm(-1), respectively. Interestingly, reduction of DMA-1 a by 4 equivalents of [PW(12)O(40)](4-) produces NH(3) in nearly quantitative yield. Cyclic voltammetry versus pH and calculations provide the energetics for the possible two-electron reduction and two-proton addition processes in this reaction.

Structural link between giant molybdenum oxide based ions and derived Keggin structure: modular assemblies based on the [BW11O39]9- ion and pentagonal {M'M5} units (M' = W; M = Mo,W).

Linked to the Pentagon: The addition of molybdate to [HBW(11)O(39)](8-) ions leads to the formation of mixed pentagonal units {W(Mo(5))} and {W(WMo(4))} trapped as linkers in the resulting modular assemblies, thus establishing the first link between the conventional Keggin ion derivatives and the giant molybdenum oxide and keplerate ions.

Regioselective activation of oxo ligands in functionalized dawson polyoxotungstates.

The organic side chain of tin-substituted Dawson polyoxotungstates alpha1- and alpha2-[P2W17O61{SnCH2CH2COOH}]7- can be used to direct regioselective acylations of oxo ligands in the inorganic backbone, which was examined both experimentally and computationally. Acylation of the oxo ligand gave exalted electrophilicity to the acyl moiety, and the compounds that were obtained led to direct ligation of POMs to complex organic molecules.

Functionalization of polyoxometalates: towards advanced applications in catalysis and materials science.

Functionalization via covalent grafting of organic functions allows to tune the redox and acid-base properties, and the solubility of polyoxometalates, to enhance their stability and biological activity and to reduce their toxicity, to facilitate their implementation in extended structures and functional devices. We discuss herein the electronic and binding connections, and the various synthesis methodologies. We emphasize on organonitrogen, organosilyl and organophosphonyl derivatives with special attention to synthesis, characterization and potential applications in catalysis and materials science. We also consider the giant molybdenum oxide-based clusters especially the porous capsule-type clusters (Keplerates) which have high relevance to this context.

A new organometallic heteropolytungstate related to [Sb2W22O74(OH)2](12-): synthesis and structural characterisation of the bis-{Ru(p-cymene)}(2+)-containing anion [Sb2W20O70{Ru(p-cymene)}2](10-).

The easy synthesis of [Sb2W20O70{Ru(p-cymene)}2](10-) by the reaction between the organometallic precursor [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 and [Sb2W20O70]14-, formed in situ, confirms the importance of the organometallic route to well defined ruthenium(+II)-substituted heteropolytungstates.

Functionalized heteropolyanions: high-valent metal nitrido fragments incorporated into a Keggin polyoxometalate structure.

Three examples of nitrido-functionalized polyoxometalate species are reported, namely (n-Bu4N)4[PW11O39(OsN)] (1), (n-Bu4N)4[PW11O39(ReN)] (2), and (n-Bu4N)3[PW11O39(ReN)] (3), which feature the incorporation of [OsVI identical to N]3+, [ReVI identical to N]3+ and [ReVII identical to N]4+ fragments, respectively, into the framework of a Keggin-type heteropolyanion.

Organic-Inorganic Hybrids Based on Polyoxometalates. 5.(1) Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Bis(organophosphoryl)decatungstosilicates [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)((RPO)(2)](4)(-).

Organophosphoryl polyoxotungstate derivatives [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)(RPO)(2)](4)(-) (R = H (1), Et (2), n-Bu (3), t-Bu (4), C(2)H(4)COOH (5), Ph (6)) have been obtained by reaction of the divacant [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)](8)(-) anion with organophosphonic acids RPO(OH)(2) in acetonitrile. These new heteropolyanions have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, multinuclear ((1)H, (29)Si, (31)P, and (183)W) NMR, and X-ray crystallography. Crystals of (NBu(4))(2)(NEt(4))H[gamma-SiW(10)O(36)(C(6)H(5)PO)(2)] (anion 6) are monoclinic, space group P2(1), with lattice constants a = 16.489(4) Å, b = 14.016(3) Å, c = 18.542(8) Å, beta = 91.30(3) degrees, and Z = 2. The hybrid anion has a structure of virtual C(2v)() symmetry with two phenylphosphonate groups grafted to the surface of the divacant tungstosilicate. (183)W and (31)P NMR spectra of NBu(4) salts in DMF solution agree with the solid-state structure and the virtual C(2)(v)() symmetry.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Oxidation-Reduction Behavior of the gamma-Isomer of the Dodecatungstosilicate Anion.

The reaction of tungstate ions with the gamma-10-tungstosilicate in mixed water-ethanol (v/v) yields the corresponding isomer of the 12-tungstosilicate isolated as its tetrabutylammonium salt. It was characterized by means of (183)W NMR, infrared, Raman, and UV spectroscopies and was identified with the isomer resulting from the Keggin structure (alpha-isomer) by rotation of two tritungstic groups by pi/3. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the reducibility increases in the sequence alpha-beta-gamma as the number of rotated tritungstic groups. Whereas the gamma-12-tungstosilicate anion is unstable in pure aqueous solution whatever the pH value, it is stable in mixed aqueous-organic or pure organic solvents, even at boiling temperatures. In contrast, the two- and four-electron-reduced blue species are stable in aqueous media but not the one-electron-reduced blue. Study of the (183)W NMR spectrum of the two-electron-reduced species showed that the two spin-paired electrons are delocalized on all the W atoms on the NMR time scale but have a larger residency time on one group of four atoms.

Straightforward synthesis of new polyoxometalate-based hybrids exemplified by the covalent bonding of a polypyridyl ligand.

A new polyoxometalate-based organic-inorganic platform has been designed for further facile derivatization and covalent attachment of organic linkers; this is exemplified by the grafting of a polypyridyl ligand.

Vectorial growth/regulations in a {P8W48}-type polyoxotungstate compartment: trapped unusual molybdenum oxide acts as a handle.

Reaction of the cyclic {P(8)W(48)} polyoxotungstate host with sodium molybdate in solution in the presence of a reducing agent leads to the formation and stabilization of unprecedented neutral {Mo(V)(4)O(10)(H(2)O)(3)} aggregates with handle function, thereby proving the potential of the present host for performing future interesting studies related to mixed-valence type chemistry under confined conditions.

Sorption of tartrate ions to lanthanum (III)-modified calcium fluor- and hydroxyapatite.

The present article details the formation of lanthanum-modified apatites and the binding process of tartrate ions with these obtained apatites. Chemical analyses, FT-IR and (31)P NMR spectroscopies, XRD powder, TGA, and TEM analyses were employed for studying the reaction between Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2) (HAp) or Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(F)(2) (FAp) and LaCl(3). The reaction was found to take place mainly through partial dissolution of the apatite followed by precipitation of a new phase containing lanthanum phosphate. When La(3+) was introduced in the presence of L(+)-tartaric acid (TAH(2)), no fundamental changes were observed in the HAp or FAp structures. However, there did occur a formation of a new phase of Ca or/and La tartrate salt.

Sensing the chirality of Dawson lanthanide polyoxometalates [alpha1-LnP2W17O61]7- by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.

Lanthanide complexes of the chiral Dawson phosphotungstate [alpha(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) were used to study the formation of diastereomers with optically pure organic ligands. The present work started with the full assignment of the (183)W NMR spectra of [alpha(1)-Yb(H(2)O)(4)P(2)W(17)O(61)](7-) at different temperatures and concentrations, which allowed the structure of the dimerized form in aqueous solution to be established. Different enantiopure amino acids and phosphonic acids were screened as ligands. Both types allowed chiral differentiation by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy under fast-exchange conditions. Functional groups with a good affinity for the oxo framework of the polyoxometalate were identified, and maps of the interactions between L-serine and N-phosphonomethyl-L-proline with [alpha(1)-Yb(H(2)O)(4)P(2)W(17)O(61)](7-) were established. This demonstrates the power of (183)W NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the molecular recognition of inorganic molecules by organic compounds. N-Phosphonomethyl-L-proline appears to be a convenient ligand to promote separation of the diastereomers and ultimately resolution of the enantiomers of [alpha(1)-Yb(H(2)O)(4)P(2)W(17)O(61)](7-).