Synthesis of Modular “Inorganic–Organic–Inorganic” Polyoxometalates and Their Assembly into Vesicles

Abstract

Connecting clusters: A new class of approximately 3.4 nm sized inorganic–organic–inorganic hybrids was synthesized by covalent functionalization of V3-capped Wells–Dawson-type clusters with linear bis(Tris) ligands (see scheme; TBA=nBu4N+). These hybrids were characterized using single-crystal XRD and ESI-MS techniques. Dynamic light scattering studies revealed the surfactant properties of these compounds, which lead to the formation of supramolecular vesicles in solutions.