Polyoxometalates (POMs) are unconventional electro-active molecules with a great potential for applications in molecular memories, providing efficient processing steps onto electrodes are available. The synthesis of the organic-inorganic polyoxometalate hybrids [PM11O39{Sn(C6H4)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C6H4)N2}]3- (M = Mo, W) endowed with a remote diazonium function is reported together with their covalent immobilization onto hydrogenated n-Si(100) substrates. Electron transport measurements through the resulting densely-packed monolayers contacted with a mercury drop as a top electrode confirms their homogeneity. Adjustment of the current-voltage curves with the Simmon's equation gives a mean tunnel energy barrier ΦPOM of 1.8 eV and 1.6 eV, for the Silicon-Molecules-Metal (SMM) junctions based on the polyoxotungstates (M = W) and polyoxomolybdates (M = Mo), respectively. This follows the trend observed in the electrochemical properties of POMs in solution, the polyoxomolybdates being easier to reduce than the polyoxotungstates, in agreement with lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) of lower energy. The molecular signature of the POMs is thus clearly identifiable in the solid-state electrical properties and the unmatched diversity of POM molecular and electronic structures should offer a great modularity.
Herein, we report on the study of supramolecular assemblies based on polyoxometalates (POMs) upon their modification with amino acids. Two POM-amino acid hybrids were synthesized by coupling a functionalized Keggin type polyoxoanion [PW11O39{Sn(C6H4)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C6H4)COOH}]4- with carboxyl-protected (methyl-ester) phenylalanine or diphenylalanine peptides. Surprisingly, all compounds, including the initial POM, formed supramolecular nanospheres in different solvent mixtures, which were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the POM-amino acid species revealed that the hydrophobic forces are mainly responsible for the initial aggregation into incipient micelle type structures, in which the organic arms are buried inside the aggregate while POM polar heads are more exposed to the solvent with tetrabutyl-ammonium counter cations acting as linkers.
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