Developing remote metal binding sites in heteropolymolybdates

Anderson-type polyoxomolybdates [MMO6O18{(OCH2)(3)-CNH2}(2)](3-) (M = Mn-III, Fe-III) were prepared and structurally characterized. The tris(alkoxo) ligands are bound to the central heteroatom via their oxygen atoms. The corresponding compounds with M = Ni-II or Zn-II are not accessible since these cations have a preference for the amino functionality. The pendant amino groups of the manganese-containing derivative react with pyridinecarbaldehydes to give the corresponding imines. This provides new mono- and bidentate binding sites for metal cations. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003).