Supramolecular assembly of polyoxometalate triangles

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a diverse class of inorganic materials that are of great interest due to their exciting range of redox, conducting, magnetic and catalytic properties. Recent collaborative work from Professor Garry Hanan in Montreal and Professor Bernold Hasenknopf in Paris reports the inclusion of a Lindqvist-type hexavanadate POM as a component of a self-assembling supramolecular framework.

They designed ligand 1 utilising a triol motif to complex the POM in combination with pyridyl groups to serve as binding sites for a transition metal. The reaction of 1 with a suitable decavanadate yielded complex 2, a hexavanadate POM complex that is itself a structurally rigid and spatially well-defined bi-pyridyl ligand. The 60° angle between the coordination vectors of the pyridyl groups led the authors to predict that the coordination of a trans-PdCl2 unit by 2 would result in a supramolecular triangle.

supramolecular assembly of polyoxometalate triangles

Initially the reaction of 2 with [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] in DMAc yielded a complex mixture of products; however, heating to 80 °C for 48 hours led to just a single assembly. This was shown by a number of analytical techniques to be the predicted triangular assembly 3.

This work elegantly uses a classical motif for self-assembly to create a multi-component supramolecular architecture. It is a great step towards the goal of creating functional supramolecular arrays, integrating the desirable properties of POMs into a new framework and bridging the gap between solid state oxides and coordination chemistry.

Researcher’s perspective:
The obtention of discrete coordination-driven POM-based arrays had so far eluded the community, with only a few well characterised coordination polymers. We started this challenging project of a molecular triangle by a simple drawing based on geometrical considerations. A range of conditions were explored, but most lead to complex mixtures except one. This identification of optimal conditions was our first satisfaction. However, we needed solid evidence of the triangular nature of the obtained array to validate our approach as a rational design: a combination of techniques confirmed the successful and selective synthesis of the triangle. As a student, I learnt a lot from the complementary competencies provided by the two groups on a project at the interface of inorganic, organic, supramolecular and coordination chemistry. Dealing with the specific difficulties of each domain has been an exciting challenge that has re-confirmed my choice in academic research. Marie-Pierre Santoni, a student in the research collaboration

To read more about Hanan and Hasenknopf’s work, download their ChemComm article.

Posted on behalf of Cally Haynes, ChemComm web writer.

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