Exploiting the equilibrium dynamics in the self-assembly of inorganic macrocycles based upon polyoxothiometalate building blocks

Abstract

We report the preparation and characterization of two new polyoxothiometalate species, {Mo₁₆} = {(Mo₂O₂S₂)₈(OH)₁₆(C₄O₄)₂}⁴⁻ (compound 1) and {Mo₁₂} = {(Mo₂O₂S₂)₆(OH)₁₂(CH₃COO)₂}²⁻ (compound 2). Control of synthesis is achieved by the addition of the organic-template and further re-arrangement is controlled simply by the addition of potassium to a precursor compound yielding compound 2. The structures of the compounds are discussed and we also show that ion-mobility mass spectrometry can be used to resolve the species and their building blocks in solution.