Discrete Platinum(II/IV)-Arsenito Clusters with Pt-As and Pt-O Bonding: [PtIV(As3O6)2]2-, [Pt4II(H2AsO3)6(HAsO3)2]2-, and [Pt2IIAs6W4O28]10.

The first two discrete, fully inorganic platinum(II/IV)-arsenito clusters, [fac-PtIV(As3O6)2]2- (PtAs6) and [Pt4II(H2AsO3)6(HAsO3)2]2- (Pt4As8), as well as the platinum(II)-arsenito heteropolytungstate [Pt2IIAs6W4O28]10- (Pt2As6W4), have been synthesized in aqueous media using simple one-pot reaction conditions. In PtAs6, a PtIV ion is coordinated to two cyclic, tridentate As3O6 units via oxo-donation (PtIV-O ∼ 2.02 Å). In Pt4As8, each PtII ion is coordinated to four AsO3 ligands via two oxygens and two AsIII atoms in a square-planar fashion (PtII-AsIII 2.31 Å, PtII-O 2.07 Å), resulting in an open cage-like structure, which forms a strong tetrameric assembly in the solid state mediated by two K+ counterions. In Pt2As6W4, each PtII ion is coordinated by the As atoms of three AsO3 ligands (PtII-AsIII 2.38 Å) and an oxo group (PtII-O 2.07 Å) in addition to bridging two tungsten ions, and this polyanion was characterized in solution by 195Pt NMR.

Discrete Arsonate-Grafted Inverted-Keggin 12-Molybdate Ion [Mo12O32(OH)2(4-N3C2H2-C6H4AsO3)4]2- and Formation of a Copper(II)-Mediated Metal-Organic Framework.

The discrete inverted-Keggin ion [Mo12O32(OH)2(4-N3C2H2-C6H4AsO3)4]2- (1) has been prepared in an aqueous acidic (pH 0.8) medium by the reaction of MoO3 with the (4-triazolylphenyl)arsonic acid 4-N3C2H2-C6H4AsO3H2 under hydrothermal conditions and was isolated as a sodium salt in 21% yield. The exact same reaction in the presence of Cu2+ ions resulted in the neutral metal-organic framework (MOF) Cu2[Mo12O34(4-N3C2H2-C6H4AsO3)4] (Cu-1) in 68% yield. The inverted-Keggin ion 1 comprises a metal-oxo core, which is capped by four organoarsonate groups, and in Cu-1, individual polyanions are linked in the solid state by coordination of the Cu2+ ions with the triazolyl groups. The discrete ion 1 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the POM-MOF Cu-1 was characterized by single-crystal and powder XRD, FT-IR, TGA, and gas sorption. Cu-1 has channels with a diameter of around ∼0.9 nm and exhibits a water-vapor adsorption capacity of 89.7 cm3 g-1 (p/p0 = 0.95).

PtIV-Containing Hexaplatinate(II) [PtIVPtII6O6(AsO2(CH3)2)6]2- and Hexapalladate(II) [PtIVPdII6O6(AsO2(CH3)2)6]2.

The first PtIV-containing discrete polyoxoplatinate(II) [PtIVPtII6O6(AsO2(CH3)2)6]2- (Pt7) and polyoxopalladate(II) [PtIVPdII6O6(AsO2(CH3)2)6]2- (PtPd6) have been prepared and characterized in the solid state, in solution, and in the gas phase. The molecular structures of the noble metal-oxo clusters Pt7 and PtPd6 comprise a central, octahedral PtIVO6 hetero group surrounded by six square-planar MO4 (M = PtII, PdII) units, which are capped by six dimethylarsinate ligands. The polyanions were prepared under simple one-pot aqueous solution conditions by reacting H2Pt(OH)6 with either K2PtCl4 or Pd(NO3)2 in sodium dimethylarsinate buffer (pH 7) at 80 °C. Catalytic studies were performed on Pt7 supported on SBA15-apts for o-xylene hydrogenation at 300 °C and 90 bar H2 pressure and indicated excellent activity and recyclability with low activation temperature.

Gallium(III)- and Thallium(III)-Encapsulated Polyoxopalladates: Synthesis, Structure, Multinuclear NMR, and Biological Activity Studies.

Three gallium(III)- and thallium(III)-containing polyoxopalladates (POPs) have been synthesized and structurally characterized in the solid state and in solution, namely, the phosphate-capped 12-palladate nanocubes [XPd12O8(PO4)8]13- (X = GaIII, GaPd12P8; X = TlIII, TlPd12P8) and the 23-palladate double-cube [Tl2IIIPd23P14O70(OH)2]20- (Tl2Pd23P14). The cuboid POPs, GaPd12P8 and TlPd12P8, are solution stable as verified by the respective 31P, 71Ga, and 205Tl nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Of prime interest, the spin-spin coupling schemes allowed for an intimate study of the solution behavior of the TlIII-containing POPs via a combination of 31P and 205Tl NMR, including the stoichiometry of the major fragments of Tl2Pd23P14. Moreover, biological studies demonstrated the antitumor and antiviral activity of GaPd12P8 and TlPd12P8, which were validated to be as efficient as cis-platinum against human melanoma and acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Furthermore, GaPd12P8 and TlPd12P8 exerted inhibitory activity against two herpetic viruses, HSV-2 and HCMV, in a dose-response manner.

Organically Functionalized Mixed-Valent Polyoxo-30-molybdate Wheel and Neutral Tetramolybdenum(V) Oxo Cluster.

The first organofunctionalized mixed-valent polyoxo-30-molybdate wheel, [MoVI18MoV12O84{AsO2(CH3)2}18]18- (Mo30), was synthesized in aqueous, mildly acidic conditions, and upon further acidification, the neutral tetramolybdenum(V) oxo cluster [MoV4O8{AsO2(CH3)2}4] (Mo4) was obtained. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that Mo30 comprises 18 MoVI and 12 MoV ions arranged in a cyclic fashion with alternating {MoV2} and {MoVI3} groups, which are capped by 18 dimethylarsinate ligands, resulting in a novel polyoxo-30-molybdate wheel with a central cavity of ∼1.5 nm. On the other hand, Mo4 has a distorted-cubic structure, with the corners of the cube being occupied by alternating MoV ions and oxo ligands. The compounds were characterized in solution by 1H and 13C NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and powder XRD. Mo30 represents a novel type of polyanionic cycle with manyfold possibilities regarding host-guest chemistry.

Discovery of Polythioplatinate(II) [Pt3S2(SO3)6]10- and Study of Its Solution and Catalytic Properties.

We have discovered the first polythioplatinate(II), [PtII3S2(SO3)6]10- (1), which was synthesized in aqueous basic medium (pH 11) by hydrothermal heating at 150 °C. Polyanion 1 comprises a discrete, triangular assembly of three Pt2+ ions linked by two µ3-sulfido ligands, and their square-planar coordination geometry is completed by two terminal S-bound sulfito ligands. Polyanion 1 was isolated as a hydrated sodium salt, Na10[PtII3(µ3-S)2(SO3)6]·22H2O (Na-1), which was characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and elemental analysis, in solution by 195Pt NMR and atomic absorption spectroscopy, and in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Density functional theory calculations were performed, and the 195Pt NMR chemical shifts of 1 were computed theoretically and shown to match well with the experimental data. Furthermore, the discrete title polyanion 1 was immobilized on mesoporous SBA-15 support and used as a precatalyst for the hydrogenation of o-xylene.

Host-Guest Chemistry in Discrete Polyoxo-12-Palladate(II) Cubes [MO8Pd12L8]n- (M = ScIII, CoII, CuII, L = AsO43 -; M = CdII, HgII, L = PhAsO32-): Structure, Magnetism, and Catalytic Hydrogenation.

A family of five host-guest assemblies comprising different metal ions inside a cuboid 12-palladium-oxo cage, [MO8Pd12L8]n- (MPd12L8, M = ScIII, CoII, CuII, L = AsO43-; M = CdII, HgII, L = PhAsO32-), was synthesized and structurally characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis, and their solution and gas-phase stability were validated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The polyoxopalladates (POPs) ScPd12As8, CoPd12As8, and CuPd12As8 represent the first three examples of the MPd12As8 archetype. The unique cubic ligand field of {MO8} allows for collecting the speciation profiles of the POPs in solution using 45Sc and 113Cd NMR techniques. Detailed magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were performed on CuPd12As8. Catalytic studies on MPd12As8 (M = CuII and CoII) supported on SBA-15 unveiled a guest metal-dependent structure-function relationship, with CuPd12As8 being the more efficient precatalyst for the hydroconversion of o-xylene in a fixed-bed reactor.

Discrete, Cationic Palladium(II)-Oxo Clusters via f-Metal Ion Incorporation and their Macrocyclic Host-Guest Interactions with Sulfonatocalixarenes.

We report on the discovery of the first two examples of cationic palladium(II)-oxo clusters (POCs) containing f-metal ions, [PdII6 O12 M8 {(CH3 )2 AsO2 }16 (H2 O)8 ]4+ (M=CeIV , ThIV ), and their physicochemical characterization in the solid state, in solution and in the gas phase. The molecular structure of the two novel POCs comprises an octahedral {Pd6 O12 }12- core that is capped by eight MIV ions, resulting in a cationic, cubic assembly {Pd6 O12 MIV8 }20+ , which is coordinated by a total of 16 terminal dimethylarsinate and eight water ligands, resulting in the mixed PdII -CeIV /ThIV oxo-clusters [PdII6 O12 M8 {(CH3 )2 AsO2 }16 (H2 O)8 ]4+ (M=Ce, Pd6 Ce8 ; Th, Pd6 Th8 ). We have also studied the formation of host-guest inclusion complexes of Pd6 Ce8 and Pd6 Th8 with anionic 4-sulfocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8), resulting in the first examples of discrete, enthalpically-driven supramolecular assemblies between large metal-oxo clusters and calixarene-based macrocycles. The POCs were also found to be useful as pre-catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 -reduction and HCOOH-oxidation.

Selected polyoxopalladates as promising and selective antitumor drug candidates.

Polyoxo-noble-metalates (PONMs), a class of molecular noble metal-oxo nanoclusters that combine features of both polyoxometalates and noble metals, are a promising platform for the development of next-generation antitumor metallodrugs. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor potential against human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y), as well as toxicity towards healthy human peripheral blood cells (HPBCs), of five polyoxopalladates(II): (Na8[Pd13As8O34(OH)6]·42H2O (Pd13), Na4[SrPd12O6(OH)3(PhAsO3)6(OAc)3]·2NaOAc·32H2O (SrPd12), Na6[Pd13(AsPh)8O32]·23H2O (Pd13L), Na12[SnO8Pd12(PO4)8]·43H2O (SnPd12), and Na12[PbO8Pd12(PO4)8]·38H2O (PbPd12)), as the largest subset of PONMs. A pure inorganic, Pd13, was found as the most potent and selective antineuroblastoma agent with IC50 values (µM) of 7.2 ± 2.2 and 4.4 ± 1.2 for 24 and 48 h treatment, respectively, even lower than cisplatin (28.4 ± 7.4 and 11.6 ± 0.8). The obtained IC50 values (µM) for 24/48 h treatment with SrPd12 and Pd13L were 75.8 ± 6.7/76.7 ± 22.9 and 63.8 ± 3.6/21.4 ± 10.8, respectively, whereas SnPd12 and PbPd12 did not remarkably affect the SH-SY5Y viability (IC50 > > 100 µM). Pd13 caused depolarisation of inner mitochondrial membrane prior to superoxide ion hyperproduction, followed by caspase activation, DNA fragmentation and cell cycle arrest, all hallmarks of apoptotic cell death, and accompanied by an increase in acidic vesicles content, suggestive of autophagy induction. Importantly, Pd13 demonstrated the antitumor effect at concentrations not cytogenotoxic for normal HPBCs. On the contrary, SrPd12 and Pd13L at concentrations ≥ 1/3 IC50 (24 h) decreased HPBC viability and increased % tail DNA up to 42% and 3.05 times, respectively, related to control. SnPd12 and PbPd12, previously confirmed promising antileukemic agents, did not exhibit cytogenotoxicity to HPBCs, and thus could be regarded as tumor cell specific and selective drug candidates.

NiII 36 -Containing 54-Tungsto-6-Silicate: Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic and Electrochemical Studies.

The 36-NiII -containing 54-tungsto-6-silicate, [Ni36 (OH)18 (H2 O)36 (SiW9 O34 )6 ]6- (Ni36 ) was synthesized by a simple one-pot reaction of the Ni2 -pivalate complex [Ni2 (µ-OH2 )(O2 CCMe3 )4 (HO2 CCMe3 )4 ] with the trilacunary [SiW9 O34 ]10- polyanion precursor in water and structurally characterized by a multitude of physicochemical techniques including single-crystal XRD, FTIR, TGA, elemental analysis, magnetic and electrochemical studies. Polyanion Ni36 comprises six equivalent {NiII 6 SiW9 } units which are linked by Ni-O-W bridges forming a macrocyclic assembly. Magnetic studies demonstrate that the {Ni6 } building blocks in Ni36 remain magnetically intact while forming a hexagonal ring with antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between adjacent {Ni6 } units. Electrochemical studies indicate that the first reduction is reversible and associated with the WVI/V couple, whereas the second reduction is irreversible attributed to the NiII/0 couple.

Metallodrug Profiling against SARS-CoV-2 Target Proteins Identifies Highly Potent Inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction and the Papain-like Protease PLpro.

The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has called for an urgent need for dedicated antiviral therapeutics. Metal complexes are commonly underrepresented in compound libraries that are used for screening in drug discovery campaigns, however, there is growing evidence for their role in medicinal chemistry. Based on previous results, we have selected more than 100 structurally diverse metal complexes for profiling as inhibitors of two relevant SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms, namely the interaction of the spike (S) protein with the ACE2 receptor and the papain-like protease PLpro . In addition to many well-established types of mononuclear experimental metallodrugs, the pool of compounds tested was extended to approved metal-based therapeutics such as silver sulfadiazine and thiomersal, as well as polyoxometalates (POMs). Among the mononuclear metal complexes, only a small number of active inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction was identified, with titanocene dichloride as the only strong inhibitor. However, among the gold and silver containing complexes many turned out to be very potent inhibitors of PLpro activity. Highly promising activity against both targets was noted for many POMs. Selected complexes were evaluated in antiviral SARS-CoV-2 assays confirming activity for gold complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or dithiocarbamato ligands, a silver NHC complex, titanocene dichloride as well as a POM compound. These studies might provide starting points for the design of metal-based SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents.

Arylarsonate- and Phosphonate-Capped Polyoxomolybdates, [(RC6H4As)2Mo6O24]n- and [(R'C6H4P)2Mo5O21]n.

We report on the synthesis and structural characterization of four arylarsonate- and phosphonate-capped polyoxomolybdates that exhibit different organic substituents in the para position of the phenyl group. The reaction of arylarsonates (RAsO3, wherein R = 4-BrC6H4 or 4-N3C6H4) with molybdate in aqueous pH 3.5 media resulted in the cyclic hexamolybdates [(BrC6H4As)2Mo6O24]4- (Mo6As2La) and [(N3C6H4As)2Mo6O24]4- (Mo6As2Lb), whereas the reaction of arylphosphonates (R'PO3, wherein R' = 4-O2CC6H4 or 4-O2CC6H4CH2) with molybdate in aqueous pH 3 media resulted in the cyclic pentamolybdates [(O2CC6H4P)2Mo5O21]6- (Mo5P2Lc) and [(HO2CC6H4CH2P)2Mo5O21]4- (Mo5P2Ld), respectively. Polyanions Mo6As2La and Mo6As2Lb comprise a ring of six MoO6 octahedra that is capped on either side by an organoarsonate group, whereas Mo5P2Lc and Mo5P2Ld consist of a ring of five MoO6 octahedra that is capped on either side by an organophosphonate group, with the organic arms protruding away from the metal-oxo core of the polyanions. All four polyanions Mo6As2La, Mo6As2Lb, Mo5P2Lc, and Mo5P2Ld have been characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and elemental analysis and in solution by multinuclear NMR (31P, 13C, and 1H). The synthetic procedure of (4-bromophenyl)arsonic acid, BrC6H4AsO3H2, is reported here for the first time.

Arsenic(III)-Capped 12-Tungsto-2-Arsenates(III) [M2(AsIIIW6O25)2(AsIIIOH)x]n- (M = CrIII, FeIII, ScIII, InIII, TiIV, MnII) and Their Magnetic Properties.

Six arsenic(III)-capped 12-tungsto-2-arsenates(III) of the type [M2(AsIIIW6O25)2(AsIIIOH)x]n- (M = CrIII, 1; FeIII, 2; ScIII, 3; InIII, 4; TiIV, 5; MnII, 6) have been synthesized in aqueous medium by direct reaction of the elements using a one-pot strategy and structurally characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, single-crystal XRD, and elemental analysis. Polyanions 1-6 are comprised of two octahedrally coordinated guest metal ions M sandwiched between two {AsW6} units, resulting in a structure with C2h point-group symmetry. Polyanions 1-5 contain tri- and tetravalent metal ion guests M (M = CrIII, FeIII, ScIII, InIII, and TiIV, respectively), and they have one {AsIIIOH} group grafted on each {AsW6} unit, whereas the divalent MnII-containing derivative 6 has two such {AsIIIOH} groups grafted on each {AsW6} unit. Magnetic studies on polyanions 3-5 over the temperature range 1.8-295 K and magnetic fields of 0-7 T confirmed that they are diamagnetic. On the other hand, polyanions 1, 2, and 6 are strongly magnetic and follow the Curie-Weiss law above 30 K. The susceptibility plots of 1 and 6 exhibit broad peaks suggesting short-range antiferromagnetic ordering, while the very weak antiferromagnetic ordering of 2 is overshadowed by traces of a paramagnetic impurity. The magnetization data of 1, 2, and 6 at 1.8 K over 0-7 T were analyzed by using the Heisenberg exchange procedure. Small (negative) values of the obtained J values help in understanding the absence of long-range antiferromagnetic ordering.

Discovery of a Neutral 40-PdII-Oxo Molecular Disk, [Pd40O24(OH)16{(CH3)2AsO2}16]: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Catalytic Studies.

We report on the synthesis and structural characterization of a giant, discrete, and neutral molecular disk, [Pd40O24(OH)16{(CH3)2AsO2}16] (Pd40), comprising a 40-palladium-oxo core that is capped by 16 dimethylarsinate moieties, resulting in a palladium-oxo cluster (POC) with a diameter of ∼2 nm. Pd40, which is the largest known neutral Pd-based oxo cluster, can be isolated either as a discrete species or constituting a 3D H-bonded organic-inorganic framework (HOIF) with a 12-tungstate Keggin ion, [SiW12O40]4- or [GeW12O40]4-. 1H and 13C NMR as well as 1H-DOSY NMR studies indicate that Pd40 is stable in aqueous solution, which is also confirmed by ESI-MS studies. Pd40 was also immobilized on a mesoporous support (SBA15) followed by the generation of size-controlled Pd nanoparticles (diameter ∼2-6 nm, as based on HR-TEM), leading to an effective heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst for the transformation of various arenes to saturated carbocycles.

Discovery and Supramolecular Interactions of Neutral Palladium-Oxo Clusters Pd16 and Pd24.

We report on the synthesis, structure, and physicochemical characterization of the first three examples of neutral palladium-oxo clusters (POCs). The 16-palladium(II)-oxo cluster [Pd16 O24 (OH)8 ((CH3 )2 As)8 ] (Pd16 ) comprises a cyclic palladium-oxo unit capped by eight dimethylarsinate groups. The chloro-derivative [Pd16 Na2 O26 (OH)3 Cl3 ((CH3 )2 As)8 ] (Pd16 Cl) was also prepared, which forms a highly stable 3D supramolecular lattice via strong intermolecular interactions. The 24-palladium(II)-oxo cluster [Pd24 O44 (OH)8 ((CH3 )2 As)16 ] (Pd24 ) can be considered as a bicapped derivative of Pd16 with a tetra-palladium-oxo unit grafted on either side. The three compounds were fully characterized 1) in the solid state by single-crystal and powder XRD, IR, TGA, and solid-state 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, 2) in solution by 1 H, 13 C NMR and 1 H DOSY spectroscopic methods, and 3) in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).

FeIII 48 -Containing 96-Tungsto-16-Phosphate: Synthesis, Structure, Magnetism and Electrochemistry.

The 48-FeIII -containing 96-tungsto-16-phosphate, [FeIII 48 (OH)76 (H2 O)16 (HP2 W12 O48 )8 ]36- (Fe48 ), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. This polyanion comprises eight equivalent {FeIII 6 P2 W12 } units that are linked in an end-on fashion forming a macrocyclic assembly that contains more iron centers than any other polyoxometalate (POM) known to date. The novel Fe48 was synthesized by a simple one-pot reaction of an {Fe22 } coordination complex with the hexalacunary {P2 W12 } POM precursor in water. The title polyanion was characterized by single-crystal XRD, FTIR, TGA, magnetic and electrochemical studies.

Co-ion Effects in the Self-Assembly of Macroions: From Co-ions to Co-macroions and to the Unique Feature of Self-Recognition.

Macroions, as soluble ions with a size on the nanometer scale, show unique solution behavior different from those of simple ions and large colloidal suspensions. In macroionic solutions, the counterions are known to be important and well-explored. However, the role of co-ions (ions carrying the same type of charge as the macroions) is often ignored. Here, through experimental and simulation studies, we demonstrate the role of co-ions as a function of co-ion size on their interaction with the macroions (using {Mo72Fe30} and {SrPd12} as models) and the related self-assembly into blackberry-type structures in dilute solutions. Several regimes of unique co-ion effects are clearly identified: small ions (halides, oxoacid ions), subnanometer-scaled bulky ions (lacunary Keggin and dodecaborate ions), and those with sizes comparable to the macroions. Small co-ions have no observable effect on the self-assembly of fully hydrophilic {Mo72Fe30}, while due to hydrophobic interaction and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, the small co-ions show influences on the self-assembly of hydrophobic {SrPd12}. Subnanometer ions, a.k.a. "superchaotropic ions", are still too small to assemble into a blackberry by themselves, but they can coassemble with the macroions, showing a strong interaction with the macroionic system. When the co-ion size is comparable to that of the macroions, they assemble independently instead of assembling with the macroions, leading to the previously reported unique self-recognition phenomenon for macroions.

Palladium(II)-Containing Tungstoarsenate(V), [PdII4(As2W15O56)2]16-, and Its Catalytic Properties.

We have synthesized and structurally characterized the 4-palladium(II)-containing 30-tungsto-4-arsenate(V), [Pd4(As2W15O56)2]16- (1), which represents the first palladium(II)-containing tungstoarsenate(V). The title polyanion 1 was prepared by a simple one-pot procedure in aqueous medium and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry, elemental analysis, and 183W nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies. Polyanion 1 consists of four Pd2+ ions that are coordinated in a square-planar geometry to two trilacunary [As2W15O56]12- Wells-Dawson fragments resulting in a sandwich-type assembly. Catalytic studies on 1 revealed that it is an efficient catalyst precursor for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of various aryl halides in aqueous and nonaqueous media.

Peroxouranyl-Containing W48 Wheel: Synthesis, Structure, and Detailed Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy Study.

We report on the first example of a peroxouranium-containing {P8W48} wheel, [{(UO2)4(O2)4}2(P8W48O184)]40- (1), which was synthesized by a one-pot reaction of UO2(NO3)2·6H2O with the 48-tungsto-8-phosphate wheel [H7P8W48O184]33- and aqueous hydrogen peroxide in a pH 6 lithium acetate solution at 50 °C. Polyanion 1 comprises two tetrauranyl squares with side-on peroxo bridging ligands in the cavity of the {P8W48} wheel, and was isolated as the hydrated potassium-lithium salt K18Li22[{(UO2)4(O2)4}2(P8W48O184)]·133H2O (KLi-1), which was characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. A detailed Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy study was also performed.

Polyoxopalladate-Loaded Metal-Organic Framework (POP@MOF): Synthesis and Heterogeneous Catalysis.

We report on the synthesis and characterization of the first polyoxo-noble-metalate-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) material, wherein the preformed MIL-101 has been impregnated with the discrete, cuboid-shaped polyoxopalladate [Pd13Se8O32]6- (Pd13Se8), leading to the composite Pd13Se8@MIL-101. This material was characterized by FTIR, TGA, elemental analysis, powder-XRD, N2 sorption (BET), SEM-EDX, and XPS. Furthermore, the Pd13Se8@MIL-101 composite was shown to be an effective, stable, and recyclable heterogeneous precatalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction at room temperature utilizing environmentally benign solvents, such as water and methanol.