The
mixed molybdenum/tungsten Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM)
hybrid (TBA)
4
[PW
9
Mo
2
O
39
{Sn(C
6
H
4
I)}] (TBA =
tert
-butylammonium)
has been prepared by the reaction between [α-PW
9
Mo
2
O
39
]
7–
and [Cl
3
Sn(C
6
H
4
I)] in dried acetonitrile, in the presence of
tetra-
n
-butylammonium bromide. A further coupling
reaction affords the ferrocenyl derivative (TBA)
4
[PW
9
Mo
2
O
39
{Sn(C
6
H
4
)C≡C(C
6
H
4
)Fc}]. The POM hybrids have
been thoroughly characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies. Electrochemical
analysis confirms their ease of reduction compared to the all-W analogue,
albeit with a second reduction process occurring at a lower potential
than in the all-Mo species. It is noteworthy that the second reduction
is accompanied by an unusual red shift of the electronic absorption
spectrum. Whereas there is no doubt that the first reduction deals
with Mo, the location of the second electron in the bireduced species,
on the second Mo or on W, has thus been the subject of a cross-investigation
by spectroelectrochemistry, electron spin resonance, and theoretical
calculations. Finally, it came out that the second reduction is also
Mo-centered with two unpaired and antiferromagnetically coupled extra
electrons.