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We applied the thermofield dynamics formalism to analyze how the non-classical properties of the Bell-cat states are influenced by a gradual change of temperature values, in a thermal equilibrium system. To this purpose we calculate the thermal Wigner functions for these states, whose negative volume is associated with non-classical properties, and we evaluate how these non-classical features vary with temperature. Our results indicate that these properties are almost absent for temperatures of around 2 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical basis of neuronal coding, associated with short-term degradation in synaptic transmission, is a matter of debate in the literature. In fact, electrophysiological signals are commonly characterized as inversely proportional to stimulus intensity. Among theoretical descriptions of this phenomenon, models based on 1/f -dependency are employed to investigate the biophysical properties of short-term synaptic depression. In this work, we formulate a model based on a paradigmatic q-differential equation to obtain a generalized formalism useful for investigation of nonextensivity in this specific type of synaptic plasticity. Our analysis reveals nonextensivity in data from electrophysiological recordings and also a statistical crossover in neurotransmission. In particular, statistical transitions provide additional support to the hypothesis of heterogeneous release probability of neurotransmitters. On the other hand, the simple vesicle model agrees with data only at low-frequency stimulations. Thus, the present work presents a method to demonstrate that short-term depression is not only governed by random mechanisms but also by nonextensive behavior. Our findings also conciliate morphological and electrophysiological investigations into a coherent biophysical scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[M(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6], M = Co, Cr, Ru, Rh, and Ir, were proposed as single-source precursors for bimetallic alloys. Their thermal decomposition in inert and reductive atmospheres below 700 °C results in the formation of nanostructured porous Ir0.5M0.5 alloys. Salts decompose with a significant exothermal effect during the first stage of their thermal breakdown in an inert atmosphere above 200 °C. The exothermal effect gradually decreases in the series: [Co(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6] (1) ＞ [Cr(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6] (2) ＞ [Ru(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6] (3) ＞ [Rh(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6] (4); [Ir(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6] (5) does not exhibit any thermal effects and decomposes at much higher temperatures. To shed light on their thermal decomposition and the nature of the exothermal effect, DSC–EGA, in situ and ex situ IR, Raman, XPS and XAFS studies were performed. A combination of complementary techniques suggests a simultaneous ligand exchange and a reduction of central atoms as key processes. In [Co(NH3)5Cl][IrCl6], Co(iii) and Ir(iv) simultaneously oxidise coordinated ammonia, which can be detected due to a significant exothermal effect and the presence of Co(ii) and Ir(iii) in the intermediate product. The appearance of Ir–N frequencies demonstrates a ligand exchange between cations and the [IrCl6]2− anion. Salts with Cr(iii), Ru(iii), and Rh(iii) show a much lower exothermal effect due to the stability of their oxidation states. Salts with Rh(iii) and Ir(iii) demonstrate a high thermal stability and a low tendency for ligand exchange as well as decomposition with exothermal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New hybrid POM based on Lindqvist-type polyoxometalates [M6O19]8− (M = Nb, Ta) and organometallic fragment {Cp*Rh}2+ have been isolated and characterized. X-ray quality crystals of K4[(Cp*Rh)2Nb6O19]·20H2O (1) and Cs4[(Cp*Rh)2Ta6O19]·18H2O (2) were obtained from solutions with {Cp*Rh} : [M6O19]8− stoichiometry 2 : 1. The solution behavior of the hybrid polyoxoanions was studied with ESI-MS and 1H DOSY NMR. Amongst the poorly investigated chemistry of polyoxotantalates, complex 2 is the first complex bearing a grafted organometallic fragment. The formation of 1 : 1 complexes was detected by ESI-MS techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of [(C6H6)RuCl2]2 and Na8[Ta6O19] gives two new hybrid organometallic POM complexes, Na10[{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)]·39.4H2O (Na10-1) and Na4(trans-[{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19]·20H2O (Na4-2). In both cases the half-sandwich fragments {(C6H6)Ru}2+ are coordinated as additional vertices to the {Ta3(µ2-O)3} triangles of the hexatantalate. According to NMR and ESI-MS data, the dimeric complex [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)]10- dissociates in water with the formation of monomeric [(C6H6)RuTa6O19]6- species (1a). X-ray structural characterization and aqueous speciation of the complexes by 13C, ¹H, and DOSY NMR; ESI-MS; and capillary electrophoresis (CE) have been carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of the biosynthesis of bacterial heptoses opens novel perspectives for antimicrobial therapies. The enzyme GmhA responsible for the first committed biosynthetic step catalyzes the conversion of sedoheptulose 7-phosphate into d- glycero -d- manno -heptose 7-phosphate and harbors a Zn 2+ ion in the active site. A series of phosphoryl- and phosphonyl-substituted derivatives featuring a hydroxamate moiety were designed and prepared from suitably protected ribose or hexose derivatives. High-resolution crystal structures of GmhA complexed to two N -formyl hydroxamate inhibitors confirmed the binding interactions to a central Zn 2+ ion coordination site. Some of these compounds were found to be nanomolar inhibitors of GmhA. While devoid of HepG2 cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of their own, they demonstrated in vitro lipopolysaccharide heptosylation inhibition in Enterobacteriaceae as well as the potentiation of erythromycin and rifampicin in a wild-type Escherichia coli strain. These inhibitors pave the way for a novel treatment of Gram-negative infections.

Natural cyclodextrin (CD) macrocycles are known to form diverse inclusion complexes with a wide variety of organic molecules, but recent work has revealed that inorganic clusters also form multicomponent supramolecular complexes and edifices. Such molecular assemblies exhibit a high degree of organization in solution governed by various chemical processes including molecular recognition, host-guest attraction, hydrophobic repulsion, or chaotropic effect. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most efficient and practical analytical techniques to characterize the nature, the strength and the mechanism of these interactions in solution. This review provides a brief overview on recent examples of the contribution of NMR to the characterization of hybrid systems in solution based on CD with polynuclear clusters, including polyoxometalates (POMs), metallic clusters and hydroborate clusters. The focus will be first on using 1 H (and 13 C) NMR of the host, i.e. , CD, to identify the nature of the interactions and measure their strength. Then, 2D NMR methods will be illustrated by DOSY as a means of highlighting the clustering phenomena, and by NOESY/ROESY to evidence the spatial proximity and contact within the supramolecular assemblies. Finally, other NMR nuclei will be selected to probe the inorganic part as a guest molecule. Attention will be paid to classical host-guest complexes Cluster@CD, but also to hierarchical multi-scale, multi-component assemblies such as Cluster@CD@Cluster.

This paper deals with the synthesis, characterization, and studies of biological properties of a series of 5 coordination compounds based on binuclear core [Mo (V) 2 S 2 S 2 ] 2+ with thiosemicarbazones ligands bearing different substituents on the R 1 position of the ligand. The complexes are first studied using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy to determine their structures in solution in relation to single-crystal X-Ray diffraction data. In a second part, the antifungal and antioxidative activities are explored and the high potential of these coordination compounds compared to the uncoordinated ligands is demonstrated for these properties. Finally, DFT calculation provides important support to the solution studies by identifying the most stable isomers in each [Mo 2 S 2 S 2 ] 2+ /Ligand system, while the determination of HUMO and LUMO levels is performed to explain the antioxidative properties of these systems., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A selective access to perfluoroalkyl selenoxides, via Oxone® as oxidant or to selenones by using a Polyoxometalate-based Ionic Liquid (POM-IL) as a catalyst for the oxidation step is described. The reaction works with various perfluoralkyl chains and substituents with satisfactory to excellent yields. A two-step one-pot reaction from selenocyanates was performed to gain access to perfluoroalkyl selenoxides. The previously unknown perfluoroalkyl selenoximines family was also prepared with good yields. Having unlocked two strategies for the synthesis of fluoroalkylated Se IV and Se VI compounds, we then evaluated the Hansch-Leo lipophilicity parameters of these groups. Finally, asymmetric aryl perfluoroalkyl selenoximines were resolved to determine their absolute configurations., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

[MoV2O 2 S 2 ] 2+ -based thiosemicarbazone complexes appear as very promising molecules for biological applications due to the intrinsic properties of their components. This paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of six coordination complexes obtained by the reaction of [MoV2O 2 S 2 ] 2+ clusters with bis-thiosemicarbazone ligands that contain flexible or rigid spacers between the two thiosemicarbazone units. Interestingly, structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, MALDI-TOF MS technique and NMR spectroscopy revealed that the nuclearity of the complex is controlled by the nature of the spacer between the thiosemicarbazone units. Binuclear complexes, namely [MoV2O 2 S 2 (L 1-3 )], are isolated with flexible spacers while tetranuclear complexes [(MoV2O 2 S 2 ) 2 (L 4-6 ) 2 ] are formed when the bis-thiosemicarbazone ligands are built on rigid spacers.

Herein we report the synthesis of a new class of compounds associating Keggin and Dawson-type Polyoxometalates (POMs) with a derivative of the anionic decahydro- closo -decaborate cluster [B 10 H 10 ] 2- through aminopropylsilyl ligand (APTES) acting as both a linker and a spacer between the two negatively charged species. Three new adducts were isolated and fully characterized by various NMR techniques and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, notably revealing the isolation of an unprecedented monofunctionalized SiW 10 derivative stabilized through intramolecular H-H dihydrogen contacts. DFT as well as electrochemical studies allowed studying the electronic effect of grafting the decaborate cluster on the POM moiety and its consequences on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) properties.

This paper deals with the synthesis, structural studies, and behavior in solution of unprecedented coordination complexes built by the association of a panel of 14 representative thiosemicarbazone ligands with the cluster [Mo 2 O 2 S 2 ] 2+ . These complexes have been thoroughly characterized both in the solid state and in solution by XRD and by NMR, respectively. In particular, HMBC 1 H{ 15 N} and 1 H DOSY NMR experiments bring important elements for understanding the complexes' behavior in solution. These studies demonstrate that playing on the nature and the position of various substituents on the ligands strongly influences the coordination modes of the ligands as well as the numbers of isomers in solution, mainly 2 products for the majority of complexes and up to 5 for some of them., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

This paper deals with the biological potential of coordination compounds based on binuclear core [Mo V 2 O 2 E 2 (E = O or S) coordinated with commercially available ligands such as oxalates (Ox 2+ (E = O or S) coordinated with commercially available ligands such as oxalates (Ox 2- ), L-cysteine (L-cys 2- ), L-histidine (L-his - ), Iminodiacetate (IDA 2- ), Nitrilotriacetate (HNTA 2- or NTA 3- ) or ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA 4- ) by means of various in vitro assays in a screening approach. Results suggest that the obtained complexes show weak antibacterial and antifungal properties while not being cytotoxic on cancerous and mammalian cells. In contrast, [Mo 2 O 2 E 2 (L-cys) 2 ] 2- complexes stand out as powerful antioxidant, whereas [Mo 2 O 2 E 2 (EDTA)] 2- associating tetraphenylphosphonium counter-cations display strong antibiotic activity. Finally, some complexes have evidenced a positive activity towards the growing of spirulina platensis together with a modification of the proportions of biological components inside the cells. These findings reveal promising bioactivity of the bridged binuclear Mo (+V) cores inside complexes and encourage further research for new highly active yet non-toxic molecules for biological and biomedical applications., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This paper deals with the preparation and the characterization of four new ionic liquids resulting from the pairing of various polyoxotungstates or polyoxomolybdates with the cation trihexyltetradecylphosphonium. The physical properties measured by different techniques evidence that the viscosity and the rheological behaviors of such POM-based ionic liquids, POM-ILs, strongly depend on the nature of the POM, especially its charge. Playing on the nature of the POM, we can indeed obtain Newtonian liquids or some much more viscous materials exhibiting characteristics of resins or pseudo-plastics. In a second part of this study, the potentialities of using such materials both as solvent and catalyst for the oxidation of a series of alcohols are presented as proof of concept. This part highlights great differences in strength and selectivity as a function of the POM-IL used. Furthermore, a very simple way to recycle the catalyst is also presented.

A novel decahydrodecaborate-functionalized Anderson type polyoxometalate has been synthesized and characterized in solution by ESI-MS, various NMR techniques and electrochemical methods. DFT studies provide strong support to understand the properties of this hybrid system.

Water-soluble salts of anionic [Re 6 Q 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- (Q=S, Se, Te) chalcogenide octahedral rhenium clusters react with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) producing a new type of inclusion compounds. Crystal structures determined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed supramolecular host-guest assemblies resulting from close encapsulations of the octahedral cluster within two γ-CDs. Interestingly, nature of the inner Q ligands influences strongly the host-guest conformation. The cluster [Re 6 S 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- interacts preferentially with the primary faces of the γ-CD while the bulkier clusters [Re 6 Se 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- and [Re 6 Te 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- exhibit specific interactions with the secondary faces of the cyclic host. Furthermore, analysis of the crystal packing reveals additional supramolecular interactions that lead to 2D infinite arrangements with [Re 6 S 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- or to 1D "bamboo-like" columns with [Re 6 Se 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- and [Re 6 Te 8 (CN) 6 ] 4- species. Solution studies, using multinuclear NMR methods, ESI-MS and Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) corroborates nicely the solid-state investigations showing that supramolecular pre-organization is retained in aqueous solution even in diluted conditions. Furthermore, ITC analysis showed that host-guest stability increases significantly ongoing from S to Te. At last, we report herein that deep inclusion alters significantly the intrinsic physical-chemical properties of the octahedral clusters, allowing redox tuning and near IR luminescence enhancement., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Formation of one of the most representative polyoxometalate (POM) archetypes, namely the Lindqvist anion M 6 O 19 2- with M = Mo VI or W VI , was considered as elusive in aqueous solution. Herein, we report on the host-guest stabilization of the M 6 O 19 2- species with M = Mo or W from aqueous solution using γ-cyclodextrin as trapping agent. The adduct {M 6 O 19 @γ-CD} 2- reveals remarkable hydrolytic stability that offers new opportunities for exploring potentialities of molybdates or tungstates in the field of biology and medicine, when combined to CDs as efficient drug carrier/delivery agents.

Self-assembly reactions of Na 2 WO 4 , SeO 2 /SeO 3 2- , and [Mo 2 (μ-S) 2 (μ-S) 2 (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ give, depending on the pH value, two new large polyoxometalate complexes: i.e., [(γ-Se 2 W 14 O 52 ) 3 (Mo 2 (μ-S) 2 (μ-S) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ) 6 ] 24- (1) isolated at pH 3.5 and [(γ-Se 2 W 14 O 52 ) 4 (WO 3 (H 2 O)) 8 (W 2 O 5 ) 2 (W 4 O 12 ) 2 (Mo 2 (μ-S) 2 (μ-S) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ) 4 (Mo 2 (μ-S) 2 (μ-S) 2 (SeO 3 )) 4 ] 36- (2) isolated at pH 2. Both compounds were characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, EDX, elemental analysis, TGA, and FT-IR and in solution by ESI-MS and NMR.

In this communication, we report on a noteworthy hybrid supramolecular assembly built from three functional components hierarchically organized through noncovalent interactions. The one-pot synthesis procedure leads to the formation of large Mo-blue ring-shaped anion {Mo 154 }, which contains the supramolecular adduct based on the symmetric encapsulation of the Dawson-type [P 2 W 18 O 62 ] 6- anion by two γ-cyclodextrin units. Such a nanoscopic onion-like structure, noted [P 2 W 18 O 62 ]@2γ-CD@{Mo 154 } has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thus demonstrating the capability of the giant inorganic torus to develop relevant supramolecular chemistry, probing the strong affinity of the inner and outer faces of the γ-CD for the polyoxometalate surfaces. Furthermore, interactions and behavior in solution have been studied by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, which supports specific interactions between γ-CD and POM units. Finally, the formation of this three-component hybrid assembly from one-pot procedure, in water and using nearly stoichiometric conditions, is discussed in terms of the driving forces orchestrating this highly efficient multilevel recognition process.

Herein, we report on a three-component supramolecular hybrid system built from specific recognition processes involving a Dawson-type polyoxometalate (POM), [P 2 W 18 O 62 ] 6- , a cationic electron-rich cluster [Ta 6 Br 12 (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ , and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD). Such materials have been investigated using a bottom-up approach by studying the specific interactions between γ-CD and both types of inorganic units. Their ability to interact has been investigated in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in solution using multinuclear NMR methods (including DOSY, EXSY, and COSY), electrospray ionization mass and UV-vis spectroscopies, electrochemistry, and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. Single-crystal XRD analysis reveals that POM:γ-CD constitutes a highly versatile system which gives aggregates with 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 stoichiometry. Surprisingly, these arrangements exhibit a common feature wherein the γ-CD moiety interacts with the Dawson-type POMs through its primary face. We present also the first structural model involving an octahedral-type metallic cluster with γ-CD. XRD study reveals that the cationic [Ta 6 Br 12 (H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ ion is closely embedded within two γ-CD units to give a supramolecular ditopic cation, suitable to be used as a linker within extended structure. Solution study demonstrates clearly that pre-associations exist in solution, for which binding constants and thermodynamic parameters have been determined, giving preliminary arguments about the chaotropic nature of the inorganic ions. Finally, both building blocks, i.e., the ditopic supramolecular cation {[Ta 6 Br 12 (H 2 O) 6 ]@2CD} 2+ and the Dawson-type anion, react together to give a three-component, well-ordered hybrid material derived either as a supramolecular hydrogel or single crystals. The solid-state structure shows an unprecedented helicoidal tubular chain resulting from the periodic alternation of POM and supramolecular cation, featuring short hydrogen-bonding contacts between the electron-poor POM and electron-rich cluster. The 1D tubular ionic polymer observed in the single crystals should make it possible to understand the long-range ordering observed within the hydrogel hybrid material. The supramolecular chemical complementarities between the γ-CD-based ditopic cation and POM open a wide scope for the design of hybrid materials that accumulate synergistic functionalities.

The host-guest interactions between the spherical porous Keplerate anion, [Mo132O372(CH3CO2)30(H2O)72](42-) (abbreviated {Mo132}) and the tetramethylammonium cation have been investigated extensively by one- and two-dimensional (EXSY, ROESY, and DOSY) and variable-temperature NMR. Evidence of two inner receptor sites specific for a NMe4(+) guest appears consistent with a quite striking compartmentalization phenomenon. ROESY NMR analyses showed that both sites exhibit a close spatial proximity with the hanging inner acetate groups, while a quantitative EXSY study revealed that these two sites are differentiated by their exchange rates. These NMR data support the hypothesis that these two inner sites could be delimited by the hanging inner acetate groups forming triangular (S1) or pentagonal (S2) hydrophobic pockets on the inner side of the capsule wall. Furthermore, the stability constants associated with the trapping process of the NMe4(+) guest on both the S1 and S2 sites have been determined, showing that the stability constant of the S1 sites decreases significantly as the concentration of the capsule increases gradually, while that of the S2 sites remains nearly unaffected. Such an observation has been interpreted as a result of the plugging process of the {Mo9O9} pores by the counterions NH4(+), which causes unfavorable electrostatic interactions for the NMe4(+) coordination on the proximal S1 site. Finally, the thermodynamic parameters of the NMe4(+) transfer from the solvated situation to the interior of the capsule were estimated from variable-temperature NMR experiments that provide the split of the global process into two successive events corresponding to the plugging and transfer across the inorganic shell.

This work illustrates how enthalpy and entropy changes responsible for successive phase transitions of cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystals can be combined to give cohesive free energy densities. These new parameters are able to rationalize and quantify the demixing of the melting and clearing processes that occur in thermotropic liquid crystals. Minor structural variations at the molecular level can be understood as pressure increments that alter either the melting or clearing temperatures in a predictable way. This assessment of microsegregation operating in amphiphilic molecules paves the way for the chemical programming of the domain of existence of liquid-crystalline phases., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The internal functionalization of the Keplerate-type capsule Mo132 has been carried out by ligand exchange leading to the formation of glutarate and succinate containing species isolated as ammonium or dimethylammonium salts. Solution NMR analysis is consistent with asymmetric inner dicarboxylate ions containing one carboxylato group grafted onto the inner side of the spheroidal inorganic shell while the second hangs toward the center of the cavity. Such a disposition has been confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the glutarate containing {Mo132 } species. A detailed NMR solution study of the ligand-exchange process allowed determining the binding constant KL of acetate (AcO(-) ), succinate (HSucc(-) ) or glutarate (HGlu(-) ) ligands at the 30 inner coordinating sites, which vary such as K AcO -

The effectiveness of the interactions between various alkylammonium cations and the well-defined spherical Keplerate-type {Mo132} capsule has been tracked by (1)H DOSY NMR methodology, revealing a strong dependence on the self-diffusion coefficient of the cationic guests balanced between the solvated and the plugging situations. Analysis of the data is fully consistent with a two-site exchange regime involving the 20 independent {Mo9O9} receptors of the capsule. Furthermore, quantitative analysis allowed us to determine the stability constants associated with the plugging process of the pores. Surprisingly, the affinity of the capsule for a series of cationic guests increases continuously with its apolar character, as shown by the significant change of the stability constant from 370 to 6500 for NH4(+) and NEt4(+), respectively. Such observations, supported by the thermodynamic parameters, evidence that the major factor dictating selectivity in the trapping process is the so-called "hydrophobic effect". Computational studies, using molecular dynamics simulations, have been carried out in conjunction with the experiments. Analysis of the radial distribution functions g(r) reveals that NH4(+) and NMe4(+) ions behave differently in the vicinity of the capsule. The NH4(+) ions do not exhibit well-defined distributions when in close vicinity. In contrast, the NMe4(+) ions displayed sharp distributions related to different scenarios, such as firmly trapped or labile guest facing the {Mo9O9} pores. Together, these experimental and theoretical insights should aid in the exploitation of these giant polyoxometalates in solution for various applications.

A series of compounds resulting from the ionic association of a nanoscopic inorganic cluster of formula [K2NaxLiy{Mo4O4S4(OH)2(H2O)3}2(HzP8W48O184)]((34-x-y-z)-), 1, with several organic cations such as dimethyldioctadecylammonium DODA(+), trimethylhexadecylammonium TMAC16(+), alkylmethylimidazoliums mimCn(+) (n = 12-20) and alkyl-dimethylimidazoliums dmimCn(+) (n = 12 and 16) was prepared and characterized in the solid state by FT-IR, EDX, Elemental analysis, TGA and solid state NMR. The solid state NMR experiments performed on (1)H, (13)C and (31)P nuclei evidenced the interactions between the cations and 1 as well as the organization of the alkyl chains of the cations within the solid. Polarized optical microscopy, DSC and SA-XRD experiments implicated mesomorphic phases for DODA(+) and mimCn(+) salts of 1. The crystallographic parameters were determined and demonstrated that the inter-lamellar spacing could be controlled upon changing the length of the alkyl chain, a very interesting result if we consider the huge size of the inorganic cluster 1 and the simple nature of the cations.

New hybrid POM based on Lindqvist-type polyoxometalates [M6O19](8-) (M = Nb, Ta) and organometallic fragment {Cp*Rh}(2+) have been isolated and characterized. X-ray quality crystals of K4[(Cp*Rh)2Nb6O19]·20H2O () and Cs4[(Cp*Rh)2Ta6O19]·18H2O () were obtained from solutions with {Cp*Rh} : [M6O19](8-) stoichiometry 2 : 1. The solution behavior of the hybrid polyoxoanions was studied with ESI-MS and (1)H DOSY NMR. Amongst the poorly investigated chemistry of polyoxotantalates, complex is the first complex bearing a grafted organometallic fragment. The formation of 1 : 1 complexes was detected by ESI-MS techniques.

Reaction of [(C6H6)RuCl2]2 and Na8[Ta6O19] gives two new hybrid organometallic POM complexes, Na10[{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(μ-O)]·39.4H2O (Na10-1) and Na4(trans-[{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19]·20H2O (Na4-2). In both cases the half-sandwich fragments {(C6H6)Ru}(2+) are coordinated as additional vertices to the {Ta3(μ2-O)3} triangles of the hexatantalate. According to NMR and ESI-MS data, the dimeric complex [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(μ-O)](10-) dissociates in water with the formation of monomeric [(C6H6)RuTa6O19](6-) species (1a). X-ray structural characterization and aqueous speciation of the complexes by (13)C, (1)H, and DOSY NMR; ESI-MS; and capillary electrophoresis (CE) have been carried out.

Two nanosized polyoxothiometalates were synthesized based on linking oxomolybdate building blocks with {Mo2O2S2}(2+) groups. Remarkably, both compounds are formed selectively primarily upon changing the related concentrations in a logical way; they exhibit common structural features based on the same {Mo9O6S3}-type pores, which result in connections between {Mo6O21} pentagons and {Mo2O2S2}(2+) linkers. Whereas the much larger spherical Mo132-type Keplerate contains twenty pores, the smaller Mo63 -type cluster remarkably contains only two. The two compounds and a similar Keplerate exhibit interesting supramolecular properties related to interactions with the unusual predominantly apolar NMe4(+) cations. Structural characterization of the Mo63 -type compound reveals in the solid state a clathrate-like species that contains four NMe4(+) cations embedded in two types of structurally well-adapted pockets. Related NMR spectroscopic investigations in solution using NMe4(+) as the NMR spectroscopic probe are in agreement with the solid-state description. (1)H NMR spectroscopic experiments (1D variable-temperature, 2D total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY), exchange spectroscopy (EXSY), and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY)) feature firmly immobilized and mobile NMe4(+) ions in relationship with the type of host-guest arrangements. The use of the (1)H NMR DOSY spectroscopic methodology has been successfully applied to track the interactions of the NMe4(+) cations with the {Mo9O6S3} pores of a sulfurated Keplerate, thereby allowing the first quantitative analysis of this type of plugging process. The stability constant K=(210±20) mol(-1)  L is discussed related to the character of the process., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This work illustrates how minor structural perturbations produced by methylation of 4'-(dodecyloxy)-4-cyanobiphenyl leads to enthalpy-entropy compensation for their melting processes, a trend which can be analyzed within the frame of a simple intermolecular cohesive model. The transformation of the melting thermodynamic parameters collected at variable temperatures into cohesive free-energy densities expressed at a common reference temperature results in a novel linear correlation, from which melting temperatures can be simply predicted from molecular volumes., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We report the syntheses and characterizations, in the solid state and in solution, of three new cyclic polyoxothiomolybdates self-assembled around 2,5-dimethylterephthalate (DMT) and 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)terephthalate (DFMT) ligands, namely [Mo12DMT](2-), [Mo12DFMT](2-) and [Mo16DFMT](2-). A series of these two Mo12-compounds completed by the two Mo12-compounds obtained with 2,3,5,6-tetramethylterephthalate and trimesate ligands offer the opportunity to compare their electro-catalytic properties for reduction of protons into hydrogen. The ability of these compounds to promote the reduction of protons into hydrogen in aqueous medium is evidenced and the influence of the embedded ligand is highlighted, thus allowing proposal of a mechanism for the hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by these clusters.

We report here the optimization of an HldE kinase inhibitor to low nanomolar potency, which resulted in the identification of the first reported compounds active on selected E. coli strains. One of the most interesting candidates, compound 86, was shown to inhibit specifically bacterial LPS heptosylation on efflux pump deleted E. coli strains. This compound did not interfere with E. coli bacterial growth (MIC > 32 μg/mL) but sensitized this pathogen to hydrophobic antibiotics like macrolides normally inactive on Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, 86 could sensitize E. coli to serum complement killing. These results demonstrate that HldE kinase is a suitable target for drug discovery. They also pave the way toward novel possibilities of treating or preventing bloodstream infections caused by pathogenic Gram negative bacteria by inhibiting specific virulence factors.

Addition of [Mo(2)(V)O(2)(μ-O)(μ-S)(aq)](2+) linker-type units to a solution/dynamic library containing tungstates results via the formation of the complementary pentagonal {(W)W(5)} units logically in the self-assembly of a mixed oxide/sulphide {W(VI)(72)Mo(V)(60)}-type Keplerate, thereby demonstrating the ability to tune the capsule's skeletal softness (the (μ-O)(2) and (μ-S)(2) scenarios are known) and providing options to influence differently important capsule-substrate interactions.

Reaction between monolacunary {BW(11)} tungstoborate and oxothiocationic building block, {Mo(2)O(2)S(2)}, results in the formation of a new polyoxothiometalate with a unique architecture in which two [H(2)BW(12)O(43)](9-) tungstoborate subunits are linked together with a hexamolybdate [Mo(V)(6)O(6)S(6)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) bridge.

The high-nuclearity polyoxothiomolybdate [H(8)Mo(84)S(48)O(188)(H(2)O)(12)(CH(3)COO)(24)](32-) has been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and (1)H NMR, IR, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The solid-state structure reveals an unprecedented and intriguing arrangement consisting of a nanoscaled anionic cube. The surprisingly open structure of this {Mo(84)}-type cubic box features a large inner void that is accessible via its six open square faces with diameters of ca. 9 Å. Importantly, this molecular system appears to be highly functionalizable because of the presence of 24 exposed exchangeable acetate ligands.

In this paper, we present some elements of our optimization program to decouple triclosan's specific FabI effect from its nonspecific cytotoxic component. The implementation of this strategy delivered highly specific, potent, and nonbiocidal new FabI inhibitors. We also disclose some preclinical data of one of their representatives, 83, a novel antibacterial compound active against resistant staphylococci and some clinically relevant Gram negative bacteria that is currently undergoing clinical trials.

The present tutorial review reports on the synthetic approaches for the formation of "polyoxothiometalate" compounds with special emphasis on the unique reactivity of the preformed sulfur-containing cationic building blocks {Mo(2)O(2)S(2)}(2+) and {Mo(3)S(4)}(4+) toward polyoxometalate building blocks. Such simple chemical systems, based on chemical and structural complementarities between ionic reactive moieties have led to the synthesis of a series of relevant clusters with unrivalled large nuclearity structural arrangements, such as loops, triangles, squares and boxes. Specific reaction parameters and considerations will be pointed out showing that a deliberate pure inorganic supramolecular chemistry based on weak interactions, flexibility and dynamic is possible with polyoxometalates.

We report the syntheses and characterizations of the first polyoxothiometalate complexes isolated from the reaction of the oxothiocationic [Mo(V)(2)O(2)S(2)](2+) precursor and bisphosphonate ligands H(2)O(3)PCR(OH)PO(3)H(2) (R = C(4)H(5)N(2), zoledronic acid; R = C(3)H(6)NH(2), alendronic acid). [(Mo(2)O(2)S(2)(H(2)O))(4)(O(3)PC(O)(C(4)H(6)N(2))PO(3))(4)](8-) (Mo(8)S(8)(Zol)(4)) and [(Mo(2)O(2)S(2)(H(2)O))(4)(O(3)PC(O)(C(3)H(6)NH(3))PO(3))(4)](8-) (Mo(8)S(8)(Ale)(4)) contain four Mo(V) dimers connected via bisphosphonate ligands. These compounds offer a unique opportunity to compare the structures and properties of cyclic compounds obtained with [Mo(2)O(2)S(2)](2+) and with [Mo(2)O(4)](2+). The oxothio compounds appear less stable in solution than the oxo analogue, confirming the higher lability and versatility of [Mo(2)O(2)S(2)]-based compounds compared to [Mo(2)O(4)]-based POMs. Multinuclear and multidimensional solid-state NMR studies were carried out to complement X-ray diffraction analysis. Information on short-range interactions, dynamic behaviors, and local disorder within the crystalline materials are therefore reported. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic properties of Mo(8)S(8)(Ale)(4) and of the analogous [(Mo(2)O(4)(H(2)O))(4)(O(3)PC(O)(C(3)H(6)NH(3))PO(3))(4)](8-) (Mo(8)O(8)(Ale)(4)) immobilized onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode were studied, thus evidencing the ability of [Mo(2)O(2)S(2)]-based cycles to promote the reduction of protons into hydrogen, whereas the oxo analogue appeared inactive.

Reaction of the cyclic lacunary [H(7)P(8)W(48)O(184)](33-) anion (noted P(8)W(48)) with the [Mo(2)S(2)O(2)(H(2)O)(6)](2+) oxothiocation led to two compounds, namely, [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) (denoted 1) and [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) (denoted 2), which were characterized in the solid state and solution. In the solid state, the structure of [K(4){Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(WO(2))(P(8)W(48)O(184))](30-) reveals the presence of two disordered {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) "handles" connected on both sides of the P(8)W(48) ring. Such a disorder is consistent with the presence of two geometrical isomers where the relative disposition of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles are arranged in a perpendicular or parallel mode. Such an interpretation is fully supported by (31)P and (183)W NMR solution studies. The relative stability of both geometrical isomers appears to be dependent upon the nature of the internal alkali cations, i.e., Na(+) vs K(+), and increased lability of the two {Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2+) handles, compared to the oxo analogous, was clearly identified by significant broadening of the (31)P and (183)W NMR lines. Solution studies carried out by UV-vis spectroscopy showed that formation of the adduct [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) occurs in the 1.5-4.7 pH range and corresponds to a fast and quantitative condensation process. Furthermore, (31)P NMR titrations in solution reveal formation of the "monohandle" derivative [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(P(8)W(48)O(184))](38-) as an intermediate prior to formation of the "bishandle" derivatives. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of [{Mo(4)O(4)S(4)(H(2)O)(3)(OH)(2)}(2)(P(8)W(48)O(184))](36-) was studied in aqueous medium and compared with the parent anion P(8)W(48).