Stability of the Mo72Fe30 polyoxometalate buckyball in solution

Abstract

The stability of the [Mo 72 Fe 30 O 252 (CH 3 COO) 12 {Mo 2 O 7 (H 2 O)} 2 {H 2 Mo 2 O 8 (H 2 O)}(H 2 O) 91 ] · ∼150H 2 O polyoxometalate (Mo 72 Fe 30 ) with a buckyball framework structure in solution has been investigated as a function of the solute concentration, illuminance, the presence/absence of a polymer, and the acidity of the medium. The polyoxometalate ions can form association species with molecules of water-soluble nonionic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Electrotransport properties of the polyoxometalate ions—mobility, transport number, and diffusion coefficient—have been measured. The catalytic activity and stability of Mo 72 Fe 30 in a redox reaction have been evaluated.