Open Access
Thermally-triggered crystal dynamics and permanent porosity in the first heptatungstate-metalorganic three-dimensional hybrid framework
(Wiley, 2017) Martín Caballero, Jagoba; Artetxe, Beñat; Reinoso, Santiago; San Felices, Leire; Castillo, Óscar; Beobide, Garikoitz; Vilas, José Luis; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
The hybrid compound [{Cu(cyclam)}3(W7O24)]⋅15.5 H2O (1) (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraaza-cyclotetradecane) was synthesized by reacting the {Cu(cyclam)}2+ complex with a tungstate source in water at pH 8. Compound 1 exhibits an unprecedented three-dimensional covalent structure built of heptatungstate clusters linked through metalorganic complexes in a POMOF-like framework that displays water-filled channels. This dynamic architecture undergoes two sequential single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations upon thermal evacuation of water molecules to result in the partially dehydrated [{Cu(cyclam)}3(W7O24)]⋅12 H2O (2) and anhydrous [Cu(cyclam)]0.5[{Cu(cyclam)}2.5(W7O24)] (3) crystalline phases. These transitions are associated with cluster rotations and modifications in the CuII coordination geometries, which reduce the dimensionality of the original lattice to layered systems but preserving the porous nature. Phase 3 reverts to 2 upon exposure to ambient moisture, whereas the transition between 1 and 2 proved to be irreversible. The permanent microporosity of 3 was confirmed by gas sorption measurements (N2, CO2), which reveal a system of parallel channels made of wide cavities connected through narrow necks that limit the adsorption process. This observation is in good agreement with Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations.
Open Access
Immobilization of polyoxometalates on tailored polymeric surfaces
(MDPI, 2018) Aguado-Ureta, Saioa; Rodríguez-Hernández, Juan; Campo, Adolfo del; Pérez-Álvarez, Leyre; Ruiz-Rubio, Leire; Vilas, José Luis; Artetxe, Beñat; Reinoso, Santiago; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Ciencias; Zientziak
Herein we describe the preparation of hybrid polymer–inorganic interfaces by the immobilization of polyoxometalate nanoclusters on functionalized polymer surfaces. The polymeric surfaces were made of polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)/polystyrene (PS-b-PAA/PS) blends by spin coating on a silicon wafer. The functionalization of the polymer film was obtained by interfacial migration of the amphiphilic block copolymer toward the interface upon water vapor annealing. The carboxylic acid functional groups contained in the PAA block were then employed to anchor the [LnIII(α-SiW11O39)]5− polyoxometalates (Ln: Ce, Er). This purpose was achieved by immersing the films in aqueous solutions of the in situ-formed inorganic nanoclusters. X-ray photoelectron and confocal Raman spectroscopies, together with atomic force microscopy, confirmed the immobilization of the inorganic species at the interface.
Open Access
Thermostructural behavior in a series of lanthanide-containing polyoxotungstate hybrids with copper(II) complexes of the tetraazamacrocycle cyclam: a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation study
(American Chemical Society, 2019) Martín Caballero, Jagoba; Artetxe, Beñat; Reinoso, Santiago; San Felices, Leire; Vitoria, Pablo; Larrañaga, Aitor; Vilas, José Luis; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
A series of 14 isostructural [Cu(cyclam)](2)[{Cu(cyclam)}4{(a-GeW11O39)Ln(H2O)-(OAc)(12)].18H(2)O (1-Ln, where Ln = La Lu; cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) polyoxometalate-based hybrids reported herein represent (i) the first example of a twodimensional covalent hybrid lattice involving the [{(aXWI 1039)Ln(H2O)(OAc)}2in- archetype and (ii) the first structural characterization of such a dimeric polyoxotungste for Ln = La and Pr as well as for the combination of X = Ge and Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm, or Lu. Compounds 1-Ln have been characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and their thermostructural behavior has been monitored by powder and single-crystal Xray diffraction. The title compounds undergo two single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations triggered dehydration leading to the [{Cu(cydam)}6{(alpha-GeW11O39)Ln(H2O)(OAc)}2]-4H(2)O intermediate (2-Ln, where Ln = Eu or Er) and [Cu(cyclam)]0.5[{Cu(cyclam)}55{(alpha-GeW11O39)Ln(0Ac)}2] (3-Ln, where Ln = Ce or Eu) final anhydrous phases, the latter evidencing a coordinatively unsaturated derivative of the dimeric archetype for the first time. These transitions involve formation and disruption of Cu Opom bonds that result in different {Cu(cydam)}(2+) moieties grafting onto and being released from Keggin surfaces, which reduces the dimensionality of 1-Ln to one-dimensional covalent assemblies for 2-Ln and 3-Ln. While all 3-Ln phases rehydrate fully upon exposure to air for 24 h, the kinetics governing the crystal transitions back toward 1Ln through 2-Ln depend on the nature of Ln. Under ambient moisture, the anhydrous structures fully revert back to the parent framework for Ln = La Sm, while the samples containing Eu to Lu afford mixtures of 1-Ln and 2-Ln and require immersion in water for the structural reversion to reach completion. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the rehydrated 1R-Ln samples (Ln = Ce, Eu, and Er) support these observations.
Open Access
Crystal-to-crystal polymerisation of monosubstituted [PW11O39Cu(H2O)]5- Keggin-type anions
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024) Ruiz Bilbao, Estíbaliz; Pache, Aroa; Barrenechea, Unai; Reinoso, Santiago; San Felices, Leire; Vivanco, Maria dM.; Lezama, Luis; Artetxe, Beñat; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
The reaction between neutral bis(picolinate)copper(ii) complexes and copper(ii)-monosubstituted Keggin-type phosphotungstate anions formed in situ leads to the formation of the hybrid [C(NH2)3]10[{PW11O39Cu(H2O)}2{Cu(pic)2}]·10H2O compound (1, pic = picolinate) in the presence of structure-directing guanidinium cations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that 1 contains dimeric {PW11O39Cu(H2O)}2{Cu(pic)2} molecular species constituted by two Keggin-type anions linked by one {Cu(pic)2} octahedral complex through axial coordination to their terminal oxygen atoms. The extensive hydrogen-bonding network established by guanidium cations and Keggin clusters plays a key role in retaining the crystallinity of the system throughout dehydration to allow a single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation into the anhydrous [C(NH2)3]10[{PW11O39Cu}2{Cu(pic)2}] (2a) at 170 °C. Structural modifications involve the re-orientation, shifting in ca. 1.5 Å and condensation of all the {PW11O39Cu} units to result in {PW11O39Cu}n chains in an unprecedented solid-state polymerisation. This phase transition also implies the cleavage of Cu-O bonds induced by the rotation and translation of Keggin-type anions, in such a way that hybrid dimeric units in 1 are dismantled and {Cu(pic)2} complexes become square planar. The irreversibility of the phase transition has been confirmed by combined thermal and diffractometric analyses, which evidence that the anhydrous phase adsorbs only one water molecule per cluster to become the [C(NH2)3]10[{PW11O39Cu}2{Cu(pic)2}]·2H2O (2h) hydrated derivative without any significant alteration in its cell parameters, nor in its crystalline structure. Phase transformations have been monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Open Access
Consecutive single-crystal-to-single-crystal isomerization of novel octamolybdate anions within a microporous hybrid framework with robust water sorption properties
(Wiley, 2023) Ruiz Bilbao, Estíbaliz; Iturrospe, Amaia; Reinoso, Santiago; Artetxe, Beñat; Beobide, Garikoitz; San Felices, Leire; Lezama, Luis; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Darwish, Shaza; Sensharma, Debobroto; Zaworotko, Michael J.; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
The 3D hybrid framework [{Cu(cyclam)}3(kMo8O27)]· 14H2O (1) (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) undergoes sequential single-crystal-to-singlecrystal transformations upon heating to afford two different anhydrous phases (2 a and 3a). These transitions modify the framework dimensionality and enable the isomerization of k-octamolybdate (k-Mo8) anions into λ (2 a) and μ (3 a) forms through metal migration. Hydration of 3 a involves condensation of one water molecule to the cluster to afford the γ-Mo8 isomer in 4, which dehydrates back into 3a through the 6a intermediate. In contrast, 2a reversibly hydrates to form 5, exhibiting the same Mo8 cluster as that of 1. It is remarkable that three of the Mo8 clusters (k, λ and μ) are new and that up to three different microporous phases can be isolated from 1 (2 a, 3a, and 6a). Water vapor sorption analyses show high recyclability and the highest uptake values for POM-based systems. The isotherms display an abrupt step at low humidity level desirable for humidity control devices or water harvesting in drylands.
Open Access
Polioxometalatoak: elhuyar anaien ametsak bizirik dirau!
(Universidad del País Vasco, 2017) Artetxe, Beñat; Reinoso, Santiago; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
Polioxometalatoak (POMak) kimika ez-organikoaren munduan ezagunak diren metalez eta oxigenoz osatutako kluster anionikoak dira. Azaldu ohi duten forma, konposizio eta propietate aniztasunaren ondorioz, POMek aplikazio ugari dituzte teknologiari, ekonomiari edo ingurugiroari lotutako arlo ezberdinetan. Nahiz eta aspaldidanik aplikazio katalitikoetan erabili, gaur egun etorkizunerako garrantzitsuak izango diren esparru oso ezberdinetarako ikertzen ari dira, besteak beste, hondakin-uren tratamenduan, medikuntzan, konputazio kuantikoan, energia-iturri berriztagarrietan edota sentsore kimiko lumineszenteetan. Horrengatik guztiagatik, polioxometalatoen kimika, etorkizun handiko kimika ezorganikoaren alorreko esparru dinamikoenetariko bat dela baiezta genezake.
Open Access
Thermally induced structural transitions between single-crystalline states in the first hybrid compound combining Keggin-type clusters with metal-cyclam complexes: from two-dimensional covalent assemblies to discrete molecular species
(American Chemical Society, 2020) Fernández Navarro, Leticia; Iturrospe, Amaia; Reinoso, Santiago; Artetxe, Beñat; Ruiz Bilbao, Estíbaliz; San Felices, Leire; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Ciencias
A hydrothermal reaction between the monolacunary polyoxometalate [SiW11O39]8-, a copper(II) salt, and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) affords the first example of a hybrid compound combining metal complexes of such an N4-tetradentate macrocyclic ligand and Keggin-type clusters, namely, [Cu(cyclam)(H2O)][{Cu(cyclam)}2SiW11O39Cu(H2O)]·5H2O (1). This compound has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermal and elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD) reveals a layered crystal packing made of corrugated two-dimensional covalent grids in which four octahedral {Cu(cyclam)}2+ bridging moieties connect copper(II)-monosubstituted {SiW11O39Cu(H2O)}6- polyanions to four adjacent clusters, and additional [Cu(cyclam)(H2O)]2+ square-pyramidal counterions are embedded into square-like grid voids. Thermostructural analyses confirm the presence in the 130-250 °C temperature range of a stable and crystalline anhydrous phase, which displays a diffraction pattern different from that of 1. This thermally triggered phase transition proceeds through a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation pathway, which according to scXRD, involves not only the release of water molecules, but also the cleavage and formation of Cu-O bonds induced by the rotation of Keggin-type anions. These modifications fully dismantle the parent two-dimensional covalent assembly to result in the neutral, discrete [{Cu(cyclam)}3SiW11O39Cu] hybrid species (2), in which the cluster exhibits three square-pyramidal {Cu(cyclam)}2+ decorating moieties grafted at its surface. This species must display a five-coordinated copper(II) center in the Keggin skeleton, and therefore, it constitutes one of the scarce examples of such type of coordinatively unsaturated substituted cluster observed in the solid state. The irreversibility of the phase transition has been confirmed by combined thermal and diffractometric analyses, which evidenced also the great flexibility of the supramolecular framework of 2, as this anhydrous phase is able to adsorb up to six water molecules per cluster to lead to the hydrated derivative [{Cu(cyclam)}3SiW11O39Cu(H2O)]·5H2O (2h) without any significant alteration in its cell parameters, nor in its crystalline structure.
Open Access
Single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations triggered by dehydration in polyoxometalate-based compounds
(International Union of Crystallography, 2018) Reinoso, Santiago; Artetxe, Beñat; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations are solid-state phase transitions between different crystalline states in which the crystal integrity and the long-range structural order are retained through the whole transformation process. Such a phenomenon constitutes the structural response that some compounds afford when being exposed to a given external stimulus (temperature, pressure, light, etc.) and, therefore, its study has become a relevant focus of interest within crystal engineering because it allows for monitoring how certain properties (colour, magnetism, luminescence, porosity) of the stimuli-responsive material are modified as the structure evolves into the activated form. A range of organic, inorganic and hybrid systems have been found to undergo such phase transitions, but these examples only include a small number of compounds that incorporate polyoxometalate anions, among which the removal of guest solvent molecules (dehydration) stands out as the most common external stimulus able to induce the occurrence of a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation. This feature article compiles the examples of dehydration-triggered single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation studies that have been reported to date for polyoxometalate-based compounds and reviews some of their most relevant structural aspects. Â© International Union of Crystallography, 2018
Open Access
Isolation of the elusive heptavanadate anion with trisalkoxide ligands
(American Chemical Society, 2021) Fernández Navarro, Leticia; Nunes-Collado, Aitor; Artetxe, Beñat; Ruiz Bilbao, Estíbaliz; San Felices, Leire; Reinoso, Santiago; San José Wéry, Ana; Gutiérrez Zorrilla, Juan M.; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
The unprecedented heptavanadate cluster has been isolated from reactions between trisalkoxide ligands and vanadatein water at pH = 2 as a series of alkylammonium [HxV7O18(H2O)((OCH2)3CR)](4−x)‑salts (1−3,R=CH2OH;4,R=CH3). Their structures have been determined and the partial stability of4 in water assessed by a combination of multinuclear NMR spectroscopyand ESI-MS. The heptavanadate unit reported herein could represent an intermediate species in the formation of decavanadate thatis blocked by attachment of tripodal ligands.