Understanding polyoxometalates as water oxidation catalysts through iron vs. cobalt reactivity.

Cobalt polyoxometalates (Co-POMs) have emerged as promising water oxidation catalysts (WOCs), with the added advantage of their molecular nature despite being metal oxide fragments. In comparison with metal oxides, that do not offer well-defined active surfaces, POMs have a controlled, discrete structure that allows for precise correlations between experiment and computational analyses. Thus, beyond highly active WOCs, POMs are also model systems to gain deeper mechanistic understanding on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The tetracobalt Weakley sandwich [CoII 4(H2O)2(B-α-PW9O34)2]10- (Co4-WS) has been one of the most extensively studied. We have compared its activity with that of the iron analog [FeIII 4(H2O)2(B-α-PW9O34)2]6- (Fe4-WS) looking for the electronic effects determining their activity. Furthermore, the effect of POM nuclearity was also investigated by comparison with the iron- and cobalt-monosubstituted Keggin clusters. Electrocatalytic experiments employing solid state electrodes containing the POMs and the corresponding computational calculations demonstrate that CoII-POMs display better WOC activity than the FeIII derivatives. Moreover, the activity of POMs is less influenced by their nuclearity, thus Weakley sandwich moieties show slightly improved WOC characteristics than Keggin clusters. In good agreement with the experimental data, computational methods, including pK a values, confirm that the resting state for Fe-POMs in neutral media corresponds to the S1 (FeIII-OH) species. Overall, the proposed reaction mechanism for Fe4-WS is analogous to that found for Co4-WS, despite their electronic differences. The potential limiting step is a proton-coupled electron transfer event yielding the active S2 (FeIV[double bond, length as m-dash]O) species, which receives a water nucleophilic attack to form the O-O bond. The latter has activation energies slightly higher than those computed for the Co-POMs, in good agreement with experimental observations. These results provide new insights for the accurate understanding of the structure-reactivity relationships of polyoxometalates in particular, and or metal oxides in general, which are of utmost importance for the development of new bottom-up synthetic approaches to design efficient, robust and non-expensive earth-abundant water oxidation catalysts.

183W INADEQUATE 2D NMR spectroscopy of hetero arsenato-phosphato-tungstate P(V)/As(V) substitution in Dawson-type α-[As(x)P(2-x)W18O62]6- (x = 0-2) and α-[H4As(y)P(1-y)W18O62]7- (y = 0, 1).

The Dawson-type arsenato-phosphato-tungstate α-[AsPW18O62](6-) has been prepared and unambiguously identified for the first time. A comparative study including the four other already known compounds, the symmetric α-[X2W18O62](6-) and unsymmetric α-[H4XW18O62](7-) for X = P(V), As(V), has been performed by spectroscopic (183)W and (31)P NMR. 2-D (183)W INADEQUATE experiments were systematically employed to unequivocally verify structures, assign all resonances, and determine precisely (2)JW-O-W scalar couplings. The effects of P/As substitutions, generating unsymmetric structures, on the NMR observables δW-183, δP-31, (2)JW-O-W, and (2)JW-O-P are discussed in relation to their bond length and bond angle alteration. General trends with respect to NMR parameter variations have been found when filling central cavities with P or As atoms, with less pronounced effects for As than for P. In addition, NMR characterization of three other isomers, i.e., ß-[X2W18O62](6-) and γ-[As2W18O62](6-), were also provided for comparison. The present NMR results could serve as representative reference data for understanding the relationship between structure and NMR observables in polyoxotungstates.

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.

Tuning the photochromic properties of molybdenum bisphosphonate polyoxometalates.

Seven hybrid organic-inorganic bisphosphonate molybdenum(VI) polyoxometalate complexes with the general formula [(Mo(3)O(8))(4)(O(3)PC(C(m)H(2m)NRR'R″)(O)PO(3))(4)](8-) (m = 3; R, R', and R″ = H or CH(3)) and [(Mo(3)O(8))(2)(O)(O(3)PC(C(m)H(2m)NRR'R″)(O)PO(3))(2)](6-) (m = 3 or 4; R, R', and R″ = H or CH(3)) have been synthesized and their structures solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds are made of a {Mo(12)} or a {Mo(6)} inorganic core functionalized by various alkylammonium bisphosphonates, with these ligands differing by the length of their alkyl chains and the number of methyl groups grafted on the N atom. The nature of the counter-cations (Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), and/or NH(4)(+)) constituting these materials has also been modulated. (31)P NMR spectroscopic studies in aqueous media have shown that all the dodecanuclear complexes reported here are stable in solution, whereas for the hexanuclear compounds, a dynamic equilibrium between two isomers has been evidenced, and the corresponding standard thermodynamic parameters determined for one of them. The electrochemical properties of six representative compounds of this family have been investigated. It has been found that the Mo(6+)/Mo(5+) reduction potential is similar for all the polyoxometalates studied. Besides, it is shown that electrochemical cycling is an efficient method for the deposition of these compounds on a surface. The photochromic properties of all the complexes reported herein have been studied in the solid state. Under irradiation in the near ultraviolet (UV), the {Mo(12)} systems shift from white to reddish-brown, while the {Mo(6)} compounds develop a purple coloration. The coloration kinetics has been systematically quantified and the optical band gaps, the salient coloration kinetic parameters and the coloration kinetic half-life times have been determined. This has evidenced that several of these materials develop very strong and rapid UV-induced color changes, with remarkable coloration contrasts. Finally, the optical properties of these systems are discussed in light of several salient parameters as the POM topology, the nature of the grafted bisphosphonate ligand, and the design of the hydrogen-bonding network at the organic-inorganic interface.

{AsW9O33}-{Mo3S4} based polyoxometalates including a metal-metal bond with Pd or Ni. Synthesis, structure and studies in solution.

Heterometallic cuboidal clusters [Mo(3)S(4)M(H(2)O)(9)Cl](3+) M = Pd or Ni react with the trivacant [AsW(9)O(33)](9-) anion to give tetramodular complexes [(H(2)AsW(9)O(33))(4){Mo(3)S(4)M(H(2)O)(5)}(2)](20-) (M = Pd for anion 2 and M = Ni for anion 3) in good yield. Both anions crystallized as single crystals of potassium salts to give K-2 and K-3 salts which have been characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction. Both compounds are isomorphous and the anions 2 and 3 are described as two dimeric moeties, associated by internal hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions involving four outer potassium ion and coordination bonds within a central {M(2)S(2)} unit containing a M-M metallic bond. Studies in solution reveal that the dimeric association is maintained in solution in the 2 × 10(-4)-2 × 10(-3) mol L(-1) range. Conversely, in the presence of exogeneous ligands, such as iodide or pyridine the UV-vis data are consistent with the dissociation of the anion 2 into monomer through a Pd-L coordination bond (L = I(-) or Py). Furthermore, (183)W NMR spectrum of 2 shows that molecular structure of 2 is retained in solution. Elemental analysis and IR are also supplied. Electrochemical behavior of 2 and 3 are given and compared with the Pd or Ni free parent anion. The CVs are dominated mainly by irreversible reduction or oxidation processes, where the peak potentials appear dependent upon the ionic charge of the complex. However, the CV of the Pd-containing anion (2) is consistent with the deposition of Pd metal at the electrode, which gives rise to an oxidation process into palladium oxide.

Oxothiomolybdenum derivatives of the superlacunary crown heteropolyanion {P8W48}: structure of [K4{Mo4O4S4(H2O)3(OH)2}2(WO2)(P8W48O184)]30­ and studies in solution.

Reaction of the cyclic lacunary [H(7)P(8)W(48)O(184)](33-) anion (noted P(8)W(48)) with the [Mo(2)S(2)O(2)(H(2)O)(6)](2+) oxothiocation led to two compounds, namely, [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) (denoted 1) and [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) (denoted 2), which were characterized in the solid state and solution. In the solid state, the structure of [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) reveals the presence of two disordered {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) "handles" connected on both sides of the P(8)W(48) ring. Such a disorder is consistent with the presence of two geometrical isomers where the relative disposition of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles are arranged in a perpendicular or parallel mode. Such an interpretation is fully supported by (31)P and (183)W NMR solution studies. The relative stability of both geometrical isomers appears to be dependent upon the nature of the internal alkali cations, i.e., Na(+) vs K(+), and increased lability of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles, compared to the oxo analogous, was clearly identified by significant broadening of the (31)P and (183)W NMR lines. Solution studies carried out by UV-vis spectroscopy showed that formation of the adduct [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) occurs in the 1.5-4.7 pH range and corresponds to a fast and quantitative condensation process. Furthermore, (31)P NMR titrations in solution reveal formation of the "monohandle" derivative [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(P(8)W(48)O(184))](38-) as an intermediate prior to formation of the "bishandle" derivatives. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) was studied in aqueous medium and compared with the parent anion P(8)W(48).

Influence of the heteroatom size on the redox potentials of selected polyoxoanions.

The apparent formal potentials for the one-electron redox process of most Keggin-type heteropolytungstates, XW(12)O(40)(q-), have long been shown to linearly depend on their overall negative charges, in the absence of proton interference in the process. However, for a given overall negative charge, these formal potentials are also shown here to depend on the specific central heteroatom X. In the present work, cyclic voltammetry was used to study a large variety of Keggin-type anions, under conditions where their comparisons are straightforward. In short, apparent potential values get more negative (the clusters are more difficult to reduce) for smaller central heteroatoms within a given family of Keggin-type heteropolyanions carrying the same overall negative charge. Density functional theory calculations were performed on the same family of Keggin compounds and satisfactorily reproduce these trends. They show that internal XO(4) units affect differently the tungstate oxide cage. The electrostatic potential created by each internal anionic unit in a fragment-like approach (XO(4)(q-)@W(12)O(36)) was analyzed, and it is observed that X atoms of the same group show slight differences. Within each group of the periodic table, X atoms with lower atomic numbers are also smaller in size. The net effect of such a tendency is to produce a more negative potential in the surroundings and thus a smaller capacity to accept electrons. The case of [BW(12)O(40)](5-) illustrates well this conclusion, with the smallest heteroatom of the Keggin series with group III central elements and a very negative reduction potential with respect to the other elements of the same group. Particularly in this case, the electronic structure of the Keggin anion shows the effects of the small size of boron: the highest occupied molecular orbitals of [BW(12)O(40)](5-) appear to be approximately 0.35 eV higher than those in the other clusters of the same charge, explaining that the BO(4) unit is more unstable than AlO(4) or GaO(4) despite carrying the same formal charge.

Structural, magnetic, EPR, and electrochemical characterizations of a spin-frustrated trinuclear Cr(III) polyoxometalate and study of its reactivity with lanthanum cations.

The asymmetric Cr(III) polyoxometalate complex Cs(10)[(gamma-SiW(10)O(36))(2)(Cr(OH)(H(2)O))(3)] x 17 H(2)O (1) has been synthesized in water under atmospheric pressure from the trinuclear precursor [Cr(3)(CH(3)COO)(7)(OH)(2)] and the divacant ligand [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)](8-). Complex 1 is built up of two [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)](8-) Keggin units sandwiching a trinuclear {(Cr(III)(OH)(H(2)O))(3)} fragment where the paramagnetic centers are bridged by three mu-OH ligands forming a nearly isosceles triangle. The magnetic properties of this spin-frustrated system have thus been interpreted considering a 2-J Hamiltonian showing that the Cr(III) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled and that 1 possesses an S = 3/2 ground state with an S = 1/2 first excited state located at 11 cm(-1). These results have been confirmed by EPR spectroscopy measurements (Q-band), which have also enabled the quantification of the electronic parameters characterizing the quadruplet spin ground state. The magnitude of the magnetic exchange interactions and the nature of the ground state are discussed in light of previously reported isosceles triangular S = 3/2 clusters. UV-visible and electrochemical studies have shown that 1 is stable in aqueous media in a 1-7 pH range. This stability is chemically confirmed by the study of the reactivity of 1 with La(III) cations, which has allowed the isolation of the Cs(4)[(gamma-SiW(10)O(36))(2)(Cr(OH)(H(2)O))(3)(La(H(2)O)(7))(2)] x 20 H(2)O compound (2). Indeed, during the synthetic process of this 3d-4f system, the integrity of the [(gamma-SiW(10)O(36))(2)(Cr(OH)(H(2)O))(3)](10-) building unit constituting 1 is maintained despite the high oxophilic character of the La(III) ions. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 2 has revealed that in the solid state the rare earth cations connect these subunits, affording a 3d-4f double-chain monodimensional system.

Iron polyoxometalate single-molecule magnets.

Iron sandwich on a tungstate bun: Two new polyoxotungstates with paramagnetic iron(III) heteroatoms (see structure, W blue, Fe yellow, O red) possess S=15/2 and S=5 ground states. Both compounds are single-molecule magnets, and the hexairon species shows large hysteresis (see picture) and quantum tunneling effects at low temperature. Electrochemical studies indicate that these species are stable in solution for a wide range of pH values.

Self-assembly of polyoxometalate macroanion-capped pd0 nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

The self-assembly behavior of polyoxometalate (POM) macroanion-capped 3-nm-radius Pd (0) nanoparticles in aqueous solution is reported. Pd(0) nanoparticles are synthesized from reducing K(2)PdCl(4) by using Dawson-type V-substituted POM K(9)[H(4)PV (IV)W(17)O(62)] (HPV(IV)) clusters as the reductant and stabilizer simultaneously in acidic aqueous solutions. The starting molar ratio of K(2)PdCl(4) to HPV(IV) (R value) in solution is important to the formation of Pd nanoparticles. When R < 0.6, approximately 20-nm-radius Pd(0) colloidal nanocrystals are formed. When R > or = 0.6, HPV-capped (and therefore negatively charged) 3-nm-radius Pd(0) nanoparticles are formed, which can further self-assemble into stable, hollow, spherical, 30-50-nm-radius supramolecular structures in solution without precipitation, as confirmed by light scattering and transmission electron microscopy studies. This structure resembles the unique supramolecular structure formed by hydrophilic POM macroanions in polar solvents, which we refer to as "blackberry" structures. It is the first evidence that the blackberry formation can occur in hydrophobic nanoparticle systems when the surface of nanoparticles is modified to be partially hydrophilic. Counterions play an important role in the self-assembly of Pd nanoparticles, possibly providing an attractive force for blackberry formation, which is the case for blackberry formation in POM macroanionic solutions. Our results suggest that the blackberry formation is not a specific property of POM macroions but most likely a general phenomenon for nanoparticles with relatively hydrophilic surfaces and suitable sizes and charges in a polar solvent.

Confirmation of the semivacant Wells-Dawson polyoxotungstate skeleton. The structures of [Ce{X(H4)W17O61}2]19- (X = P, As) indicate the probable location of internal protons.

Reaction of Ce(III) with lacunary versions of [H(4)XW(18)O(62)](7-) (X = P, As) yields the 1:2 complexes [Ce(H(4)XW(17)O(61)](19-) (X = As, 1; P, 2) in good yield, characterized in solution and the solid state by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis, respectively. The structures confirm a syn C(2) conformation that is analogous to that observed for [Ln(alpha(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)](17-) but with "empty" O(4) tetrahedra that are in positions remote from the cerium atom. Bond valence sum calculations for these structures show that the four protons that are required for charge balance in all salts of the XW(18) anions and their lacunary derivatives are almost certainly bound to the oxygen atoms of the empty tetrahedra.

Semi-vacant Wells-Dawson anions. Synthesis of tri-tungsten-vacant derivatives and crystallographic studies of [alphabetabetaalpha-(Cu(II)OH2)2(Cu(II))2(AsW15(OH2)3(OH)O52)2]12-.

The tri-tungsten-vacant polyoxometalate, [alpha-AsW15(OH)4O52]13-, derived from the semi-vacant Wells-Dawson complex [alpha-AsW18(OH)4O58]7-, reacts with the late-transition metal cations, Cu(II) or Zn(II), to form sandwich-type species; the X-ray crystal structure of [alphabetabetaalpha]-(Cu(II)OH2)2(Cu(II))2(AsW15(OH2)3(OH)O52)2]12-, prepared by the acidification of [alphabetabetaalpha]-(Cu(II)OH2)2(Cu(II))2(AsW15(OH)4O52)2]18-, reveals that the missing heteroatoms are distal to the central Cu4 unit and the vertices of the vacant tetrahedron are occupied by one OH- and three OH2 groups.

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.

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.