This is the author manuscript accepted for publication and has undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record.

Dodecavanadate, [V12O32]4− (V12), possesses a 4.4 Å cavity entrance, and the cavity shows unique electrophilicity. Owing to the high polarizability, Br2 was inserted into V12, inducing the inversion of one of the VO5 square pyramids to form [V12O32(Br2)]4− (V12(Br2)). The inserted Br2 molecule was polarized and showed a peak at 185 cm−1 in the IR spectrum. The reaction of V12(Br2) and toluene yielded bromination of toluene at the ring, showing the electrophilicity of the inserted Br2 molecule. Compound V12(Br2) also reacted with propane, n‐butane, and n‐pentane to give brominated alkanes. Bromination with V12(Br2) showed high selectivity for 3‐bromopentane (64 %) among the monobromopentane products and preferred threo isomer among 2‐,3‐dibromobutane and 2,3‐dibromopenane. The unique inorganic cavity traps Br2 leading the polarization of the diatomic molecule. Owing to its new reaction field, the trapped Br2 shows selective functionalization of alkanes.

This is the author manuscript accepted for publication and has undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record.

Dodecavanadate, [V12O32]4− (V12), possesses a 4.4 Å cavity entrance, and the cavity shows unique electrophilicity. Owing to the high polarizability, Br2 was inserted into V12, inducing the inversion of one of the VO5 square pyramids to form [V12O32(Br2)]4− (V12(Br2)). The inserted Br2 molecule was polarized and showed a peak at 185 cm−1 in the IR spectrum. The reaction of V12(Br2) and toluene yielded bromination of toluene at the ring, showing the electrophilicity of the inserted Br2 molecule. Compound V12(Br2) also reacted with propane, n‐butane, and n‐pentane to give brominated alkanes. Bromination with V12(Br2) showed high selectivity for 3‐bromopentane (64 %) among the monobromopentane products and preferred threo isomer among 2‐,3‐dibromobutane and 2,3‐dibromopenane. The unique inorganic cavity traps Br2 leading the polarization of the diatomic molecule. Owing to its new reaction field, the trapped Br2 shows selective functionalization of alkanes.