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A range of complexes based on the high-nuclearity [W36] isopolyoxotungstate cluster, [H12W36O120]12-, with a triangular topology has been isolated by using the organic cation, protonated triethanolamine. In analogy to an 18-crown-6 crown ether with six oxygen donors on a ring, the cluster can form alkali and alkaline earth metal complexes [M within W36] (M = K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+, Sr2+ and Ba2+, 1-6, respectively). Compounds 1-6 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy. Comparisons between the structures of 1-6 and 18-crown-6 as well as the symmetry directing influence of the organo-cations in the isolation of the overall cluster architecture are discussed.

A set of four hybrid host-guest complexes based on the inorganic crown ether analogue [H12W36O120]12- ({W36}) have been isolated and characterised. The cluster anion features a central rigid binding site made up of six terminal oxygen ligands and this motif allows the selective binding of a range of alkali and alkali-earth-metal cations. Here, the binding site was utilised to functionalise the metal oxide-based cavity by complexing a range of protonated primary amines within the recognition site. As a result, a set of four hybrid organic-inorganic host-guest complexes were obtained whereby the interactions are highly directed specifically within this cavity. The guest cations in these molecular assemblies range from the aromatic 2-phenethylamine (1) and 4-phenylbutylamine (2) to the bifunctional aromatic p-xylylene diamine (3) and the aliphatic, bifunctional 1,6-diaminohexane (4). Compounds 1-4 were structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, FTIR and bond valence sum calculations. This comparative study focuses on the supramolecular effects of the amine guest cations and investigates their structure-directing effects on the framework arrangement arising by locking the protonated amines within the cavity of the {W36} cluster. It was shown that parts of the organic guest cation protrude from the central binding cavity and the nature of this protruding organic "tail" directs the solid-state arrangement of compounds 1-4. Guest cations with a hydrophobic phenyl tail result in an antiparallel assembly of {W36} complexes arranged in a series of pillared layers. As a consequence, no direct supramolecular interactions between {W36} clusters are observed. In contrast, bifunctional guest cations with a secondary amino binding site act as molecular connectors and directly link two cluster units thus locking the supramolecular assembly in a tilted arrangement. This direct linking of {W36} anions results in the formation of an infinite supramolecular scaffold.

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Molecular bromine is formed from bromide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide under mild and neutral conditions. The oxidation is catalyzed by vanadium(V)-complexes and requires bromide- and proton- aliquots that are slowly released from a 3-bromopropionic acid-bromide buffer in solutions of alkyl carbonates. In such an environment, bromocyclization of acid labile alkenols occurs without hydrolytically cleaving acetal- or ester-protecting groups. 4-Pentenols having methyl- and/or phenyl-groups attached to the terminal carbon atom of the alkenol double bond undergo 6-endo-selective ring closures if subjected to oxidative bromination and provide bromotetrahydropyrans in synthetically useful yields. Application of the new procedure affords a hexasubstituted tetrahydropyran-building block en route to synthesis of the marine natural product aplysiapyranoid A.