Diphosphates and diphosphonates in polyoxometalate chemistry

In the wide area of polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry, diphosphate/diphosphonate-based POMs represent a more recent area of study. However, in this short time it has emerged to become very dynamic, as shown by the wide variety of compounds reported. Ever since the discovery of the first polyoxotungstate framework constructed from diphosph(on)ate ligands, a widespread investigation on the preparative chemistry and properties of such compounds has followed. The main focus of such a study is based on factors such as the oxidation state of the metal, the effect of pH and temperature during synthesis, and the presence of different functional groups on the diphosphonate. In this review we discuss in detail all diphosphate/diphosphonate-based POMs, beginning with early developments, subsequent growth in interest, and finally focusing on the very latest developments.