Isolation and characterization of the [Ga2Al18O8(OH)36(H2O)12]8+ cluster: cationic variations on the Wells–Dawson topology

The structural chemistry of Group 13 polyoxometalates lags far behind related negatively charged transition metal species and limits the development of advanced materials. A novel heterometallic cluster [Ga2Al18O8(OH)36(H2O)12]8+ (Ga2Al18) has been isolated using a supramolecular approach and structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ga2Al18 represents the Wells–Dawson structure polycations and variations in the structural topology may be related to the initial stabilization of the Keggin isomer. DFT calculations on the related e-Keggins (GaAl12 and Al13), Ga2Al18, and theoretical Al2Al18 clusters reveal similar features of electronic structure, suggesting additional heteroatom substitution in other isostructural clusters should be possible.