{Ce10Mn8}: Cerium Analogues of the Decavanadate Archetype

In the presence of structure-directing isobutyrate (ib) ligands, CeIII and MnII salts undergo a sequence of oxidation and condensation steps, which result in the intermittent formation of the neutral coordination cluster [Mn10O2(ib)18(Hib)2], followed by Mn-decorated {Ce10Mn8} clusters. Their common inorganic {CeIV10MnII2MnIII6O18} core features a cerium oxide substructure with a decavanadate-type metal framework, which showcases that molecular cerium oxide structures indeed can adopt certain structural principles of classical polyoxometalates. In addition, we identified the exact composition and structure of the precursor manganese isobutyrate, which actually consists of [Mn6(ib)12(Hib)6] macrocycles.