A Rare Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polyoxoboroniobate Based on Pagoda-Shaped {LiB2Nb29O86} Clusters and {Cd2(cis-en)2(trans-en)} Complexes.

A new inorganic-organic hybrid polyoxoboroniobate {H4K2[Cu(cis-en)2(H2O)]9[Cu(cis-en)2]6[Cd2(cis-en)2(trans-en)][LiB2Nb29O86]2·79H2O} (1, en = ethylenediamine), is built from pagoda-shaped {LiB2Nb29O86} clusters, linear {Cd2(cis-en)2(trans-en)} bridging units, and copper-amine complexes. The {LiB2Nb29O86} cluster represents the first example of combining oxoboron clusters with polyoxoniobate clusters (PONbs). It consists of an unusual HPONb fragment {LiNb18O54}, a fused-ring structural boroniobate cluster {B2Nb5O13}, and a classical Lindqvist {Nb6O19} fragment. The {Cd2(cis-en)2(trans-en)} and [Cu(cis-en)2]2+ complexes link the pagoda-shaped {LiB2Nb29O86} clusters into 1D infinite ladder chains. This is the first instance of simultaneous coordination of the cis-en and trans-en ligands with a single metal cation in the inorganic-organic hybrid PONb family. Furthermore, 1 exhibits good proton conductivity.

Two Unprecedented Germanoniobate Frameworks Based on High-Nuclearity Peanut-Shaped {Ge12Nb38} Clusters.

By variation of the amount of GeO2, two organic-inorganic hybrid germanoniobate frameworks with 6-connected pcu and 10-connected bct topologies were constructed from peanut-shaped {α-Ge12Nb38} and {ß-Ge12Nb38} clusters, respectively. The {α-Ge12Nb38} and {ß-Ge12Nb38} clusters contain the most Ge centers of germanoniobates reported so far. The compounds exhibit proton conduction properties with a conductivity of 3.04 × 10-4 S·cm-3 for 1 and 1.62 × 10-4 S·cm-3 for 2 at 85 °C and 98% RH. The water vapor adsorption capacities for 1 and 2 are 5.86 and 4.40 mmol·g-1, respectively.

An Organodiphosphate-Containing Polyoxoniobate Ring and Its Assembly into a Three-Dimensional Framework through Hydrogen Bonding.

In this work, a novel organodiphosphate-containing inorganic-organic hybrid polyoxoniobate (PONb) ring {(PO3CH2CH2PO3H)4Nb8O16}4- (Nb8P8) has been achieved by a one-pot hydrothermal method. The ring is constructed from a tetragonal {Nb8O36} motif and four {PO3CH2CH2PO3H} ligands. Interestingly, Nb8P8 can be joined together via K-H2O clusters {K2(H2O)4(OH)2} to form one-dimensional chains {[K2(H2O)4(OH)2]Nb8P8}n and further linked by {Cu(en)2}2+ (en = ethylenediamine) complexes, resulting in a three-dimensional supramolecular framework {[Cu(en)2]2[K2(H2O)4(OH)2]Nb8P8}·3en·H2O (1). 1 exhibits good chemical and thermal stability and has a high water vapor adsorption capacity of ≤224 cm3 g-1 (22.71 mol·mol-1) at 298 K, outperforming most of the known polyoxometalate-based materials. Impedance measurements prove that 1 can transfer protons with moderate conductivity. This study not only contributes to the structural diversity of organodiphosphate-containing PONbs and PONb rings but also provides a reference for the development of PONb-based materials with unique performance.

Development of Stable Water-Soluble Supratomic Silver Clusters Utilizing A Polyoxoniobate-Protected Strategy: Giant Core-Shell-Type Ag8@Nb162 Fluorescent Nanocluster.

Atomically precise low-nuclearity (n<10) silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have garnered significant interest due to their size-dependent optical properties and diverse applications. However, their synthesis has remained challenging, primarily due to their inherent instability. The present study introduces a new feasible approach for clustering silver ions utilizing highly negative and redox-inert polyoxoniobates (PONbs) as all-inorganic ligands. This strategy not only enables the creation of novel Ag-PONb composite nanoclusters but also facilitates the synthesis of stable low-nuclearity AgNCs. Using this method, we have successfully synthesized a small octanuclear rhombic [Ag8]6+ AgNC stabilized by six highly negative [LiNb27O75]14- polyoxoanions. This marks the first PONb-protected superatomic AgNC, designated as {Ag8@(LiNb27O75)6} (Ag8@Nb162), with an aesthetically spherical core-shell structure. The crystalline Ag8@Nb162 is stable under ambient conditions, What's more, it is water-soluble and able to maintain its molecular cluster structure intact in water. Further, the stable small [Ag8]6+ AgNC has interesting temperature- and pH-dependent reversible fluorescence response, based on which a multiple optical encryption mode for anti-counterfeit technology was demonstrated. This work offers a promising avenue for the synthesis of fascinating and stable PONb-protected AgNCs and sheds light on the development of new-type optical functional materials.

Reversible Thermochromism and Stable Resistance Switching Behaviors Based on a Co(III)-Complex-Linked Polyoxoniobate.

A 3D Co(III)-complex hybrid polyoxoniobate framework Na10(H2O)36[Co2(phen)2(4,4'-bipy)(Nb6O19)2]·19H2O (1) has been constructed from [Co2(phen)2(4,4'-bipy)(Nb6O19)2]10- dimer units and 2D inorganic Na-O cluster layers. The Co(III) centers are coordinated with {Nb6O19}, 4,4'-bipy and phen simultaneously. The [Co2(phen)2(4,4'-bipy)(Nb6O19)2]10- fragments link the Na-O cluster layers to generate a 3D metal complex-modified hybrid polyoxoniobate framework with π-π interactions between phenanthroline rings. Compound 1 shows reversible thermochromic behavior resulting from electron transfer from {Nb6O19} to 4,4'-bipy and subsequent formation of radical products, which is first observed in polyoxoniobates. Furthermore, the compound exhibits stable nonvolatile storage behavior and rewritable resistive switching with a low switching voltage (1.12 V) and high current on/off ratio (1.18 × 103) along with stable cyclic performance during stability test for 200 cycles. Charge-transfer mechanism has been studied by analyzing the relationship between current and voltage in the process of resistance switching.

Development of a New Heteropolyoxotantalate Cluster for Multidimensional Polyoxotantalate Materials.

A unique heteropolyoxotantalate (hetero-POTa) cluster [P2O7Ta5O14]7- (P2Ta5) was first developed using pyrophosphate as a key to open the ultrastable skeleton of the classical Lindqvist-type [Ta6O19]8- precursor. The P2Ta5 cluster can serve as a general and flexible secondary building unit to create a family of brand-new multidimensional POTa architectures. This work not only promotes the limited structural diversity of hetero-POTa but also provides a practical strategy for new extended POTa architectures.

Photo-Activating Biomimetic Polyoxomolybdate for Boosting Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Electrolytes.

Inspired by the metal-oxo cluster structural feature and charge separation behaviour of the oxygen evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II (PS-II) under photoirradiation, a new crystalline photochromic polyoxomolybdate, MV2 [ß-Mo8 O26 ] (1, MV=methyl viologen cation), is designed as a biomimetic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst in neutral electrolytes. After photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) with colour change from colourless to grey, it remains in an ultra-stable charge-separated state over a year under ambient conditions. The observed overpotential at 10 mA ⋅ cm-2 and Tafel slope decrease by 49 mV and 62.8 mV ⋅ dec-1 after coloration, respectively. The outstanding OER performance of the coloured state in neutral electrolytes even outperforms the commercial RuO2 benchmark. Experimental and theoretical studies show that oxygen holes within polyanions after irradiation serve as sites for enhancing direct O-O coupling, thus effectively promoting OER. This is the first successful application of electron-transfer photochromism to realize OER activity gain.

A Three-Dimensional (3D) Indium-Containing Polyoxoniobate Framework Based on {In5Nb71}n Helical Pillars.

A rare 3D Indium-containing polyoxoniobate framework {H9[Cu(en)2(H2O)2][Cu(en)2]12[In(en)]5[Nb23-O65(OH)3(H2O)2]{Nb24O67(OH)2(H2O)3]2}·68H2O(1), based on the In-containing polyoxoniobate cluster, {[In(en)]5[Nb23O65(OH)3(H2O)2][Nb24O67(OH)2(H2O)3]2}35- ({In5Nb71}) and [Cu(en)2]2+ linkers has been successfully synthesized. The nest-like cluster {In5Nb71} is constructed from one brand-new V-shaped {Nb23O70}, two triangle-shaped {Nb24O72} and five [In(en)]3+. The [In(en)] fragments link {Nb24O72} and {Nb23O70} units into unique {In5Nb71}n helical pillars. The copper-amine complexes connect the {In5Nb71}n helical pillars into a three-dimensional (3D) inorganic-organic hybrid In-Cu-containing framework. This material also exhibits good ionic conductivity and vapor adsorption capacity properties.

Proton-Conductive Polyoxometalate Architectures Constructed from Lanthanide-Incorporated Polyoxoniobate Cages.

Two new extended polyoxometalate (POM) architectures based on lanthanide-incorporated polyoxoniobate (Ln-incorporated PONb) cages, namely, H4[CuII(en)2]4{K4(H2O)2[CuII(en)2]5[CuII5(trz)2(en)4(OH)2][Dy2CuII2(en)2(CO3)3(H2O)2(OH)3][Dy(H2O)4][DyNb23O68(H2O)4]2}·60H2O (1, en = ethylenediamine) and H20[CuII(en)2]4{[CuII(en)2]4[Dy2(C2O4)(H2O)4]2[(Nb32(OH)4(H2O)3O89]2}·54H2O (2), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized, demonstrating a feasible strategy to develop functional POM materials. In addition, the proton conductivity and magnetic behaviors of both 1 and 2 were studied.

Organoamine-Directed Assembly of 5p-4f Heterometallic Cluster Substituted Polyoxometalates: Luminescence and Proton Conduction Properties.

The assembly of heterometallic cluster substituted polyoxometalates (POMs) remains a great challenge for inorganic synthetic chemistry up to now. Herein, a series of 5p-4f heterometallic cluster substituted POMs were successfully isolated by a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction method, namely H17(H2en)3[SbIII9SbVLn3O14(H2O)3][(SbW9O33)3(PW9O34)]·28H2O(1-Ln, Ln = Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) (en = ethylenediamine). Interestingly, by replacing en with imidazole, another series of 5p-4f heterometallic cluster substituted POMs H13(HIm)4K2Na4(H2O)9[SbIII9SbVLn3O14(H2O)3][(SbW9O33)3(PW9O34)]·26H2O (2-Ln, Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Im = imidazole) were obtained. Structural analyses indicate that both 1-Ln and 2-Ln are made up of an unprecedented 5p-4f heterometallic {Sb10Ln3O14(H2O)3} cluster stabilized simultaneously by mixed trilacunary heteropolyanions including {A-α-PW9O34} and {B-α-SbW9O33}. Impedance measurements indicate that both compounds exhibit different proton conduction properties, and the conductivity of 2 can reach up to 1.64 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 85 °C under 98% relative humidity. Moreover, the fluorescence emission behaviors of both compounds have been studied.

A Rare 3D Porous Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polyoxometalate Framework Based on a Cubic Polyoxoniobate-Cupric-Complex Cage with a High Water Vapor Adsorption Capacity.

A rare 3D porous inorganic-organic polyoxoniobate framework based on the cubic polyoxoniobate-cupric-complex cage {[Cu(en)2]@{[Cu2(en)2(trz)2]6(Nb68O188)}} (1a), has been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The cubic cages 1a are connected with 4-(tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine to form a 1D pillar-like chain structure, and every 1D pillar-like chain is further linked with four adjacent pillar-like chains by the [Cu(en)2]2+ complex to form a 3D porous inorganic-organic polyoxoniobate framework with 4-connected CdSO4-type topology. To our knowledge, it is the first time that three different types of organic ligands are simultaneously introduced into one polyoxoniobate. This material also exhibits a high vapor adsorption capacity and good ionic conductivity properties.

A Series of 3D Porous Lanthanide-Substituted Polyoxometalate Frameworks Based on Rare Hexadecahedral {Ln6W8O28} Heterometallic Cage-Shaped Clusters.

A series of 3D porous lanthanide-substituted polyoxometalate frameworks, Na2[Ln2(H2O)11]2[Ln3(H2O)3(α-SiW11O39)2]2·69H2O (1-Ln, Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy), are built from novel hexadecahedral {Ln6W8O28} heterometallic cage-shaped clusters. Intriguingly, every tetrameric {[Ln3(H2O)3(α-SiW11O39)2]2}14- cage-cluster is linked with another eight tetrameric cage-clusters by Ln3+ cations, leading to a novel 3D inorganic porous framework, which exhibits good thermal and chemical stability, excellent water vapor adsorption capacity, and moderate proton conductive properties. Furthermore, the solid state luminescence spectra demonstrate that 1-Sm, 1-Eu, 1-Tb, and 1-Dy display the lanthanide characteristic emission bands. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility indicates that there are antiferromagnetic interactions in 1-Tb and 1-Dy.

Symmetrically backfolded molecules emulating the self-similar features of a Sierpinski triangle.

We synthesized self-similar molecules (G3 and G2; based on phenylalkynyl backbones) with symmetrically backfolded shapes inspired by the famous fractal of a Sierpinski triangle. Unlike the more traditional, starburst dendrimers, the centripetal-shaped Sierpinski molecules feature side branches symmetrically bent away from the growth direction of the main branch, thus contrasting the natural-tree shape. Molecule G3 exhibits three distinct levels of the structural hierarchy comprising the primary, secondary and tertiary branches, while the smaller G2 contains only features of the 1st and 2nd orders. In spite of the much larger conjugated backbone of G3, its solution UV-vis absorption and fluorescence exhibit no red shift relative to G2. In a test of nitrobenzene sensing, a thin film of G3 deposited from THF was more sensitively quenched in fluorescence than the smaller G2.

Luminescent 3D Lanthanide-Cadmium Heterometal-Organic Frameworks with Chemical Stability and Selective Luminescent Sensing.

Four novel three-dimensional (3D) 4d-4f heterometal-organic compounds, [LnCd2(Pbc)4(Meimdc)(H2O)]·3H2O (Ln = Eu, 1a; Tb, 1b; Sm, 1c; Dy, 1d) (HPbc = 4-(4-pyridinyl)benzoic acid; H3Meimdc = 2-methyl-1H-4,5-imidazole-dicarboxylic acid), have been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method. All the compounds are isostructural and show three-dimensional microporous pillar-layered structures with uncoordinated carboxylate sites hung in the channels. Compound 1a possesses excellent chemical stability. The luminescent investigations show that compounds 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d display the characteristic emission bands of Ln3+ ions. Compound 1a exhibits a good potential as a luminescent sensor material for multi-responsive Ag+, Cu2+, Zn+, Co2+, and Ni2+ cations and some organic amines. Interestingly, 1a can capture Ag+, Cu2+, Zn+, Co2+, and Ni2+ cations and shows cation-dependent colorimetric response, which indicates the potential for naked sensing.

[The Hydrothermal Synthesis, Structure and Spectroscopy Study on (H2dap)6H[V12B16O54(OH)4] · 12H2O (dap = 1, 2-diaminopropane)].

A polyoxovanadium borate (H2 dap)6H[V12B16O54(OH)4] · 12H2O (dap=1,2-diaminopropane) with novel structure was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in triclinic system with space group Piand unit cell parameters a=19.027(4), b=16.142(3) Å, c=26.679(5) Å, α=90°, ß=101.06(3)°, γ=90°, V=8042(3) Å3, Z=4, Dc=1.962 g · cm(-3), µ=1.456 mm(-1), F(000)=4776, the final R1=0.0626, wR2=0.1927, S=1.003,for 7635 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). It is showed that the compound 1 is composed of V12B16 clusters unit and dap which is as a counter ion, and a two-dimensional layered structure is obtained by the effect of hydrogen bonding between the cluster units and dap, and between the layers via strong hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The compound 1 were also characterized by IR, two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) correlation spectroscopy with magnetic and thermal perturbation, UV/Vis DRS spectra. The relationship between the structure and spectroscopy properties was discussed. The IR spectrum showed that the antisymmetric stretching vibration absorption peak νas (V-Oµ) and symmetric stretching vibration absorption peaks νs (V-Oµ) appeared at 775 and 683 cm(-1) respectively, whereas the vibration absorption peak in ν(B-O) of BO3 and the vibration absorption peak in ν(B-O) of BO4 appeared at 1350 and 1050 cm(-1) respectively. The response of the stretching vibrations of B-O and V-O was detected in the 2D IR correlation spectra with magentic perturbation. In addition, the response of the stretching vibrations of B-OH, B-O and V-O-V was detected in the 2D IR correlation spectra with thermal perturbation.

Synthesis, Structure and Spectroscopy Study of a 1D Copper Coordination Polymer Based on a Carboxybenzyl Viologen Ligand and SCN-Anion.

A zwitterionic viologen derivative ligand, 1,1'-bis(4-carboxybenzyl)-4 4'-bipyridinium dichloride (H2BpybcCl2) as a multifunctional ligand, has been synthesized incorporating a 4,4'-bipyridine core with two carboxylate groups as a. building block, specifically designed for the rational construction of metal-organic frameworks. H2BpybcCl2 ligand is a multifunctional ligand that contains viologen's specific functions and carboxylate coordination groups. The coordination polymers of viologen carboxylate with copper thiocyanate are not reported to date. A novel copper coordination polymer, [Cu(SCN)2 (Bpybc)] (I) was by solution diffusion method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, XRD, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis DRS, TG analysis and liquid-state luminescent properties. Compound I crystallized in the monoclinic system with C2/c space group. Crystal data for complex I is as follow: a=19. 508(4) A, b=9. 474(2) Å, c =16. 963(3) Å, α=90°, ß=124. 92(3)°, γ=90°. Two SCN-anions were coordinated to the Cu2+ cation forming a [Cu(SCN)2] unit. Complex I was built up by [Cu(SCN)2] units bridged sequentially by ladder-shaped Bpybc ligands to form one-dimensional zigzag chains running along the [203] direction. The chains were held together by π-π interaction between the pyridine rings and phenyl rings, thus yielding a 3-D extended supramolecular network. The UV-Visible absorption spectra show the absorption bands of π-π* transitions of Bpybc ligands and d-->d transition of Cu2+. The liquid-state luminescent property of compound I was investigated at room temperature. Attractively, the complex exhibits strong blue emission peak at 533 nm (λEx=360 nn) that can be assigned to intraligand transition of Bpybc ligand when it was excited at 360 nm.

A water-soluble mixed-valent {Mn11} cluster embedded heteropolyoxoniobate with magnetic properties.

A rare all-inorganic high-nuclearity mixed-valent {Mn11} cluster embedded polyoxoniobate, K25H43{(Te4Nb9O33)3(Nb6O19)5(TeVINb5O14)[(TeIVO3)2(MnII7MnIII4O19)]}·97H2O (1), has been synthesized by a one-pot reaction. Compound 1 contains the largest manganese cluster {Mn11} core among polyoxoniobates reported to date. {Mn11} consists of three quasi-cubane {Mn3O4} units and is simultaneously encapsulated by lacunary α-Keggin {Te4Nb9O36} and Lindqvist {Nb6O19} units. Compound 1 exhibits significant magnetic anisotropy and excellent water solubility and stability. The findings suggest a new, all-inorganic polynulear Mn-based structural paradigm for aqueous solution chemistry and magnetic materials.

A 3D heteropolyoxoniobate framework based on heart-shaped {Te2Nb19O60} clusters with proton conductivity property.

A 3D tellurium-substituted heteropolyoxoniobate framework H5K3Na[Cu(en)2]2[Cu(en)0.75(H2O)2.5]{[(Te2Nb19O58)(µ3-OH)2]}·24H2O (1, en = ethylenediamine) with a 6-connected pcu topology is built from heart-shaped {Te2Nb19O60} clusters and copper complexes. The {Te2Nb19O60} cluster represents the new tellurniobate structure type with a 19-nuclearity Nb cluster. It consists of two new monovacant Lindqvist {Nb5O19} clusters, one boat-shaped {Nb9O32} cluster and two TeO32- anions. The {Te2Nb19O60} polyanions are interlinked by [Cu(en)2]2+ complexes into a 2D (4, 4) grid-like layer containing rhombic sheets. The Cu2+ supports the adjacent layers through Te-O-Cu-O-Te- bonds to form a three-dimensional heteropolyoxoniobate framework with 1D channels. This compound exhibits good chemical and solvent stability and proton conductivity, with a conductivity of 7.9 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 85 °C under 98% RH.

A Spectroscopic Method for Distinguishing Two Novel Sandwich-Type Tungsten Oxide Cluster Compounds.

This study introduces two novel sandwich-type tungsten-oxygen cluster compounds synthesized by hydrothermal methods, H4(C6H12N2H2)3{Na(H2O)2[Mn2(H2O)(GeW9O34)]}2 (Compound 1) and H2(C6H12N2H2)3.5{Na3(H2O)4[Co2(H2O)(GeW9O34)]2}·17H2O (Compound 2). The two compounds comprise cluster anions [GeW9O34]10- coordinated with transition metal atoms, either Mn or Co, and are stabilized by organic ligands. These compounds are crystallized in the hexagonal crystal system and P63/m space group. The two compounds were characterized through various techniques. Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy showed absorption peaks of anionic backbone vibrations of the Keggin cluster at 500-1000 cm-1, IR spectral peaks of δ(N-H) and νas(C-N) of the ligand triethylenediamine at 1000-2000 cm-1, and IR spectral peaks of the ligand νas(N-H) and νas(O-H) of water at 3000-3500 cm-1. Despite similar one-dimensional (1D) IR spectra due to the same cluster anions and similar molecular structures, the two compounds exhibited distinct responses in two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy with IR under magnetic and thermal perturbations. Under magnetic perturbation, Compound 1 showed a strong response peak for νas(W-Ob-W), while Compound 2 exhibited a strong response peak for νas(W=Od), possibly linked to differing magnetic particles. Similarly, Compound 1 displayed a strong response peak under thermal perturbation for νas(W-Oc-W). In contrast, Compound 2 showed a strong response peak for νas(W=Od); these results may be attributed to the different hydrogen bonding connections between the two compounds, which affect the groups in distinct ways through vibration and transmit these vibrations to the W-O bonds. The research presented in this paper expands the theoretical and experimental data of 2D correlation IR spectroscopy.

Development of non-closed silver clusters by transition-metal-coordination-cluster substituted polyoxometalate templates.

Nature seems to favor the formation of closed anion-templated silver clusters. How precisely to create non-closed sliver clusters remains an interesting challenge. In this work, we propose that the use of transition-metal-coordination-cluster substituted polyoxometalates (TMCC-substituted POMs) as templates is an effective synthetic strategy for creating the non-closed silver clusters, as demonstrated by the obtainment of four types of rare non-closed silver cluster species of Ag38-TM (TM = Co, Ni or Zn), Ag37-Zn, {Ag37-Zn}∞ and Ag36-TM (TM = Co, Ni). The idea of the strategy is to employ the TMCC-substituted POMs containing cluster modules with different bond interactions with Ag+ ions as templates to guide the formation of the non-closed silver clusters. For example, TMCC-substituted POM clusters are used as templates in this work, which contain POM modules that can coordinate with the Ag+ ions and TMCC moieties that are difficult to coordinate with the Ag+ ions, leading to the Ag+ ions being unable to form closed clusters around TMCC-substituted POM templates. The work demonstrates a promising approach to developing intriguing and unexplored non-closed silver clusters.