Polyoxometalates with separate lacuna sites

Abstract

Bi-functionalizion of Wells–Dawson-type polyoxotungstates with exo-coordinated rare earth metal ions (M = Dy^III, Y^III) and phenylphosphonate induces the formation of a separate second lacunary site in the pre-functionalized [α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁(PhPO)₂]⁶⁻ precursor. The resulting [{(H₂O)_xM₂(α₂,α₂′-P₂W₁₆O₆₀)(PhPO)₂}₂]⁸⁻ dimer clusters are stable in solution, exhibit interesting electrochemical behavior, and, for the Dy^III derivative, single ion-magnet characteristics.