Keggin-type polyaluminum cations belong to a unique
class of polyoxometalates (POMs) with their large positive charge, hydroxo
bridges, and divergent isomerization/oligomerization. Previously reported oligomerizations
of the polyaluminum cations were driven solely by the δ-Keggin isomer, which
created Al<sub>26</sub>, Al<sub>30</sub>, and Al<sub>32</sub> dimeric species. We herein report the isolation of largest ever
Keggin-type structure for this system through a unique mode of self-condensation among<a>
four ε-GeAl<sub>12</sub><sup>8+</sup></a><sup> </sup>to form [NaGe<sub>4</sub>O<sub>16</sub>Al<sub>48</sub>(OH)<sub>108</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>24</sub>]<sup>21+</sup>(<b>Ge<sub>4</sub>Al<sub>48</sub></b>). Elemental analysis confirms the Ge<sup>4+</sup>
substitution, and dynamic light scattering experiments indicated that these
larger species exist in the thermally aged solutions. DFT calculations have
revealed that a single atom Ge substitution in tetrahedral site of ε-Al<sub>13</sub><sup>7+</sup>
is the key for the formation this cluster because it activates the deprotonation
at certain octahedral sites to assist self-condensation in a specific mode.