Synthesis of polyoxometalate clusters using carbohydrates as reducing agents leads to isomer-selection

Abstract

By using sugars as the reducing agents, we demonstrate that it is possible to control the self-assembly of polyoxomolybdates through selective preparation of a single heteropolyanion isomer. D-(−)-Fructose has been proved to be an effective reducing sugar compared to the chemically similar carbohydrate D-(+)-glucose. The gentle reduction results in favourable formation of the Wells–Dawson type gamma isomer in 6-fold reduced form at room temperature.