Search

The confinement effects within coordination cages present powerful tools in modern chemistry, particularly for the synthesis and manipulation of complex molecules. This concept article reviews the use of coordination cages to stabilize and tune the properties of polyoxometalates (POMs), a class of nano‐sized metallic clusters, expanding the focus beyond traditional organic reactions. The article provides a brief overview of coordination cages, POM chemistry and discusses the encapsulation of POMs in coordination cages, highlighting how these cages provide a confinement effect that enhances the stability and reactivity of POMs. Additionally, the concept of cavity‐directed synthesis is explored as a method for creating labile POMs, which are often unstable in aqueous conditions, underlining its implications for supramolecular catalysis. Future research will focus on expanding the structures and applications of encapsulated POMs, as well as improving cage designs to unlock new cluster architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial microenvironments inside coordination cages have gained significant attention for performing enzyme‐like catalytic reactions by facilitating the formation of labile and complex molecules through a "ship‐in‐a‐bottle" approach. Despite many fascinating examples, this approach remains scarcely explored in the context of synthesizing metallic clusters such as polyoxometalates (POMs). The development of innovative approaches to control and influence the speciation of POMs in aqueous solutions would greatly advance their applicability and could ultimately lead to the formation of elusive clusters that cannot be synthesized by using traditional methods. In this study, we employ host–guest stabilization within a coordination cage to enable a novel cavity‐directed synthesis of labile POMs in aqueous solutions under mild conditions. The elusive Lindqvist [M6O19]2− (M=Mo or W) POMs were successfully synthesized at room temperature via the condensation of molybdate or tungstate building blocks within the confined cavity of a robust and water‐soluble Pt6L4(NO3)12 coordination cage. Importantly, the encapsulation of these POMs enhances their stability in water, rendering them efficient catalysts for environmentally friendly and selective sulfoxidation reactions using H2O2 as a green oxidant in a pure aqueous medium. The approach developed in this paper offers a means to synthesize and stabilize the otherwise unstable metal‐oxo clusters in water, which can broaden the scope of their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Back Cover: Cavity-Directed Synthesis of Labile Polyoxometalates for Catalysis in Confined Spaces" presents a novel approach called the "ship-in-a-bottle" method for synthesizing unstable polyoxometalates (POM) using a coordination cage. The image on the cover depicts a floating glass bottle, symbolizing innovation and sustainability. The authors, Cui-Lian Liu, Tatjana N. Parac-Vogt, and others, demonstrate the transformative potential of this approach in synthesizing complex molecules and promoting green and sustainable catalysis. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Rücktitelbild: Cavity-Directed Synthesis of Labile Polyoxometalates for Catalysis in Confined Spaces" presents a novel approach called the "ship-in-a-bottle" method for synthesizing unstable polyoxometalates (POM) using a coordination cage. The image accompanying the article depicts a floating glass bottle, symbolizing innovation and sustainability. The authors, Cui-Lian Liu, Tatjana N. Parac-Vogt, and others, demonstrate the transformative potential of this approach in synthesizing complex molecules and promoting green and sustainable catalysis. [Extracted from the article]