Labile Ligands Research Articles

Stable ruthenium indenylidene complexes with a sterically reduced NHC ligand

Stable and active Ru olefin metathesis catalyst 7 bearing a sterically reduced NHC ligand was synthesized. Upon action of pyridine, 7 forms complex 24, the first example of an Ru–indenylidene catalyst bearing a labile pyridine ligand and a sterically less demanding NHC ligand.

Energetics of the ruthenium–halide bond in olefin metathesis (pre)catalysts

A DFT analysis of the strength of the Ru-halide bond in a series of typical olefin metathesis (pre)catalysts is presented. The calculated Ru-halide bond energies span the rather broad window of 25-43 kcal mol(-1). This indicates that in many systems dissociation of the Ru-halide bond is possible and is actually competitive with dissociation of the labile ligand generating the 14e active species. Consequently, formation of cationic Ru species in solution should be considered as a possible event.

Electronic bond tuning with heterocyclic carbenes

We discuss the impact of the nature of the heterocyclic carbene ring, when used as a complex forming ligand, on the relative stability of key intermediates in three typical Ru, Pd and Au promoted reactions. Results show that P-heterocyclic carbenes have a propensity to increase the bonding of the labile ligand and of the substrate in Ru-promoted olefin metathesis, whereas negligible impact is expected on the stability of the ruthenacycle intermediate. In the case of Pd cross-coupling reactions, dissociation of a P-heterocyclic carbene is easier than dissociation of the N-heterocyclic analogue. In the case of the Au-OH synthon, the Au-OH bond is weakened with the P-heterocyclic carbene ligands. A detailed energy decomposition analysis is performed to rationalize these results.

Axial iron coordination and spin state change in a heme c upon electrostatic protein–SAM interaction

A bacterial di-heme cytochrome c binds electrostatically to a gold electrode surface coated with a negatively charged COOH-terminated SAM adopting a sort of 'perpendicular' orientation. Cyclic voltammetry, Resonance Raman and SERRS spectroscopies indicate that the high-potential C-terminal heme center proximal to the SAM's surface undergoes an adsorption-induced swapping of one axial His ligand with a water molecule, which is probably lost in the reduced form, and a low- to high-spin transition. This coordination change for a bis-His ligated heme center upon an electrostatically-driven molecular recognition is as yet unprecedented, as well as the resulting increase in reduction potential. We discuss it in comparison with the known methionine ligand lability in monoheme cytochromes c occurring upon interaction with charged molecular patches. One possible implication of this finding in biological ET is that mobile redox partners do not behave as rigid and invariant bodies, but in the ET complex are subjected to molecular changes and structural fluctuations that affect in a complex way the thermodynamics and the kinetics of the process.

Selective Redox Activation of H2 or O2 in a [NiRu] Complex by Aromatic Ligand Effects

We present two closely related series of a [NiFe] hydrogenase analogue. Based on a [NiRu] core, these complexes demonstrate inactivity, H2 activation, or O2 activation depending only on the nature of the Ru-coordinated aromatic ligand. It is demonstrated that even small changes made to this aromatic ligand can modulate the catalytic activity of the complex. Structural, electrochemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies reveal that differences in activation and binding modes of the substrates, combined with differences in σ donation and lability of the aromatic ligands, result in abrupt changes in catalytic activity.

Diphenyldichalcogenide complexes of iron, chromium and rhenium carbonyls

The substitution of a labile THF ligand in Cr(CO)5(THF) by the Ph2Se2 molecule provided the monomeric complex Cr(CO)5(Ph2Se2) (I). The similar diiodo-tricarbonyl-iron complex (CO)3FeI2(Ph2Se2) (II) (along with [(CO)3Fe(μ-SePh)3Fe(CO)3]+(I5)− (III) as a by-product) was separated upon the treatment of “phenylselenyl iodide” [PhSeI] with iron pentacarbonyl, Fe(CO)5. Complex II is isostructural with the known tellurium-containing analogue, (CO)3FeI2(Te2Ph2). The latter have provided the dimeric tellurophenyl bridged iodo-tricarbonyl-iron complex [(CO)3IFe(μ-TePh)]2 (IV) under action of the excess of Fe(CO)5. Its bromide analogue [(CO)3BrFe(μ-TePh)]2 (V) was prepared upon the treatment of PhTeBr with the excess of Fe(CO)5. The reaction of [PhSeI] with Re(CO)5Cl afforded only [(CO)6Re2(μ-I)2(μ-Se2Ph2)] (VI) in contrast to the (CO)3Re(PhTeI)3(μ3-I) formation in similar known reaction of [PhTeI]. The molecular and crystal structures of I–VI is discussed.

Highly Active Dinuclear Copper Catalysts for Homogeneous Azide–Alkyne Cycloadditions

AbstractThe main feature of the herein presented class of molecularly defined catalysts for the copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction is the presence of two copper centres in one catalyst molecule. We report the facile three‐step synthesis of two representative bis‐NHC‐dicopper complexes as well as their catalytic performance in the azide–alkyne cycloaddition. A screening with one of these complexes has proved its wide applicability and excellent performance as homogeneous catalyst in various organic solvents and with different alkyne and azide substrates.

Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene and Derivatives by the Triply Bonded Ditungsten Complex Na[W2(µ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]·(THF)3

In this study, the reactions of the bimetallic compound Na[W2(µ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]·(THF)3 (1, (W 3 W)6+, a'2e'4) with norbornene (NBE) and some of its derivatives (5-X-2-NBE; X = COOH (NBE–COOH), OH (NBE–OH), CN (NBE–CN), COOMe (NBE–COOMe), CH=CH2 (VNBE); norbornadiene (NBD)) are described. Complex 1 contains a tungsten–tungsten triple bond, bearing three halide bridges and two labile THF ligands, in a cisoidal relationship along the metal–metal axis. The complex was found to be a highly efficient room temperature homogeneous and heterogeneous unicomponent initiator for the catalytic ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of most substrates. NBE provides polynorbornene (PNBE) of high molecular weight (Mw) in high yields, soluble in organic solvents. The reaction proceeds with high cis-stereoselectivity (80%–86% cis), independently of the reaction conditions. Strongly coordinating pendant groups (–COOH, –OH, –CN) deactivate 1, whereas substrates bearing softer ones (–COOMe, –CH=CH2) are quantitatively polymerized. NBD gives quantitatively insoluble PNBD. The polymers have been characterized by 1H, 13C NMR and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Monitoring the reactions in situ by 1H NMR (1/NBD or NBE) provides direct evidence of the metathetical nature of the polymerization with the observation of the active tungsten alkylidene propagating polymeric chains. Mechanistic aspects of the reactions are discussed.

Structural and Spectroscopic Trends in a Series of Half-Sandwich Scorpionate Complexes

Fifteen half-sandwich scorpionate complexes [(L)M(NCMe)(3)](BF(4))(n) (L = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, Tpm(Me,Me), n = 2, 1(M), M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni; L = tris(3-phenylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, Tpm(Ph), n = 2, 2(M), M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni; L = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, [Tp(Me,Me)](-), n = 1, 3(M), M = Fe, Co, Ni; L = hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, [Tp(Ph,Me)](-), n = 1, 4(M), M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) were prepared by addition of the tripodal ligands to solvated [M(NCMe)(x)](2+) (M = Mn, x = 4; M = Fe, Co, Ni, x = 6) precursor complexes. The product complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR (except M = Mn), UV-vis-NIR, and FTIR spectroscopy. The structures of 2(Mn), 2(Ni), 3(Fe), 3(Co), and 4(Fe) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The data were consistent with complexes of high-spin divalent metal ions in idealized piano-stool geometries in all cases. Consequent lability of the acetonitrile ligands will enable use of these complexes as synthetic precursors and as catalysts. Comparison to previously reported structures of 1(Fe), 1(Co), 2(Fe), and 2(Co), the triflate salt analogues of 4(Co) and 4(Ni), as well as related sandwich complexes (e.g., [(Tp(Me,Me))(2)M]) and solvated metal dications [M(NCMe)(6)](2+) reveals numerous trends in M-N bond lengths. Primary among these are the Irving-Williams series, with significant structural effects also arising from ligand charge and sterics. Systematic trends in spectroscopic data were also observed which further elucidate these issues.

How Nonequivalency of the Flexibility of the Ligand Bridges Leads to Anisotropy of Perturbation Transmission in a 3D Spin‐Crossover Coordination Network

AbstractThe role of the covalent connections of iron(II) spin‐crossover centres in the transmission of perturbation produced by the HS ↔ LS transition has been investigated for the new 3D coordination polymer {[Fe(qbtr)3](ClO4)2}∞ [qbtr = 1,5‐di(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)pentane]. In this complex, a sequence of structural phase transitions occurs. A Ph1 (HS,HS) → Ph2 (HS,HS,HS) transition precedes spin crossover and is associated with an increased number of crystallographically unique iron(II) ions, whereas the change of spin state Ph2 (HS,HS,HS) → Ph3 (HS,LS) triggers another structural phase transition accompanied by a reduction in the number of the unique iron(II) sites. Iron(II) ions occupying two crystallographically unique Fe1 and Fe2 sites form the nodes of a coordination network in the Ph1 phase. The characteristic feature of the polymeric skeleton is the presence of three kinds of ligand bridges tethering the Fe1···Fe1, Fe1···Fe2 and Fe2···Fe2 sites. The ligand linkages differ from each other in rigidity, and the diversification of their properties arises from the susceptibility of the ligand molecules to undergo conformational changes. The high rigidity of the bridge established in the Ph2 phase between iron(II) ions occupying Fe2 sites allows for the propagation of the perturbation produced by the HS (Fe2) → LS (Fe2) transition through the crystal lattice. A strong compression along the Fe2···Fe2 bridging direction occurs. In contrast, the ligand molecules that form the two remaining types of bridge are disordered in the Ph2 phase and the change of spin state for the iron(II) ions occupying Fe2 sites induces their ordering, which leads to an increase in the separation between donor atoms. In effect, perturbation cannot be effectively transmitted along the Fe1···Fe1 and Fe1···Fe2 linkage directions because the “elongation” of conformationally labile ligand molecules compensates for the shortening of the Fe2–N bond lengths.

Light-Driven Living/Controlled Radical Polymerization of Hydrophobic Monomers Catalyzed by Ruthenium(II) Metalacycles

A versatile photoactivated catalytic system based on a cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complex, composed of strongly coordinating bidentate and relatively labile ligands, in conjunction with a traditional alkyl bromide initiator, has been developed for living/controlled radical polymerization. Polymerizations of three typical hydrophobic monomers—methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), and n-butyl acrylate (BA)—proceeded to high conversions under visible light irradiation. The polymerization process was photoresponsive, i.e., took place only under irradiation and immediately stopped when the light was turned off. Block copolymers of MMA with St and BA with St, as well as statistical copolymer of BA and St, could also be conveniently prepared. 1H NMR and electrochemical studies suggest a mechanism of the catalytic activation, which involves a photoinduced formation of the solvento 18-electron species cis-[Ru(o-C6H4-2-py)(phen)(MeCN)(acetone)]+ through the intermediacy of the 16-electron five-coordinated complex cis-[Ru(o-C6H4-2-py)(phen)(MeCN)]+ which is believed to be a crucial intermediate of the overall ATRP process.

Luminescent Rhenium(I) Phenanthroline Complexes with a Benzoxazol-2-ylidene Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photophysical Study

A series of luminescent rhenium(I) phenanthroline complexes containing benzoxazol-2-ylidene ligands with the general formula {Re(CO)3(phen)[CN(X)C6H4-2-O]}+ and cis,trans-{Re(CO)2(phen)(L)[CN(H)C6H4-2-O]}+ (X = H, methyl; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; L = PPh3, PPh2Me, P(OEt)3) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of most of the carbene complexes and some of their synthetic precursors have also been determined. A new synthetic methodology for the preparation of dicarbonyl rhenium diimine synthetic precursors with a labile acetonitrile ligand, [Re(CO)2(phen)(PR3)(MeCN)]+, was developed. Photophysical study shows that these carbene complexes display a green to red 3MLLCT [dπ(Re) → π*(N–N)] phosphorescence at room temperature. The N-deprotonations of the benzoxazol-2-ylidene ligand in these complexes were investigated.

Halide Exchange in Second-Generation cis-Dihalo Ruthenium Benzylidene Complexes

The current article discusses the lability of the chloride ligands in cis-dichloro ruthenium benzylidene complexes featuring the NHC ligand N,N′-bis[2,4,6-(trimethyl)phenyl]imidazolin-2-ylidene] (SIMes) and an ester-chelating benzylidene ligand. A simple halide exchange reaction with iodide salts was used to assess the halide's lability in this type of complex. The starting compound bearing the cis-dichloro stereochemistry (cis-1) underwent rapid and selective exchange of the chloride trans to the SIMes ligand (cis-2). The substitution of the chloride cis to the NHC ligand for an iodide was found to be much slower, and the corresponding cis-diiodo compound could be isolated and characterized (cis-3). The latter compound undergoes fast and selective exchange of the iodide trans to the NHC ligand when an excess of a chloride source is added, and the fourth member of the family, bearing a chloride trans to the NHC ligand and a iodide cis to the NHC ligand (cis-4), was obtained. The four compounds have been fully characterized, and their catalytic activity was accessed using ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a norbornene derivative as the benchmark reaction. The activity of the initiators decreased within the series cis-4 > cis-1 > cis-2 > cis-3. The high activity of cis-4 could be traced back to the formation of the highest amounts of the corresponding trans-dihalo species, which are the actual active initiators.

DNA binding studies of a series of cis-[Pt(Am)2X2] complexes (Am = inert amine, X = labile carboxylato ligand)

A series of platinum(II) complexes of formulae cis-[Pt(Am)2X2] (where Am represents an inert amine and X a labile (carboxylato) ligand) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The single-crystal molecular structures were determined for cis-[Pt(opea)(cbdca-2H)], cis-[Pt(hmpy)(cbdca-2H)], cis-[Pt(NH3)2(bzmal-2H)] and cis-[Pt(hmpy)(μ-dcch-2H)2] (where opea is picolylamine, hmpy represents 4-hydroxymethylpyridine, cbdca-2H, is 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate anion, bzmal-2H stands for benzylmalonate anion and dcch-2H is trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate anion). The interaction of all compounds with DNA was investigated with different techniques: viscosity measurements and emission fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the changes induced by the binding of the platinum compounds to calf-thymus DNA, while atomic force microscopy and electrophoretic mobility allowed evaluating the potential alterations of pBR322 plasmid DNA. The cytotoxic behavior of the platinum compounds on human leukemia HL-60 tumor cell lines was also examined.

Catalysis in a Porous Molecular Capsule: Activation by Regulated Access to Sixty Metal Centers Spanning a Truncated Icosahedron

The 30 cationic {Mo(V)2O4(acetate)}(+) units linking 12 negatively charged pentagonal "ligands," {(Mo(VI))Mo(VI)5O21(H2O)6}(6-) of the porous metal-oxide capsule, [{Mo(VI)6O21(H2O)6}12{Mo(V)2O4(acetate)}30](42-) provide active sites for catalytic transformations of organic "guests". This is demonstrated using a well-behaved model reaction, the fully reversible cleavage and formation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) under mild conditions in water. Five independent lines of evidence demonstrate that reactions of the MTBE guests occur in the ca. 6 × 10(3) Å(3) interior of the spherical capsule. The Mo atoms of the {Mo(V)2O4(acetate)}(+) linkers--spanning an ca. 3-nm truncated icosahedron--are sterically accessible to substrate, and controlled removal of their internally bound acetate ligands generates catalytically active {Mo(V)2O4(H2O)2}(2+) units with labile water ligands, and Lewis- and Brønsted-acid properties. The activity of these units is demonstrating by kinetic data that reveal a first-order dependence of MTBE cleavage rates on the number of acetate-free {Mo(V)2O4(H2O)2}(2+) linkers. DFT calculations point to a pathway involving both Mo(V) centers, and the intermediacy of isobutene in both forward and reverse reactions. A plausible catalytic cycle--satisfying microscopic reversibility--is supported by activation parameters for MTBE cleavage, deuterium and oxygen-18 labeling studies, and by reactions of deliberately added isobutene and of a water-soluble isobutene analog. More generally, pore-restricted encapsulation, ligand-regulated access to multiple structurally integral metal-centers, and options for modifying the microenvironment within this new type of nanoreactor, suggest numerous additional transformations of organic substrates by this and related molybdenum-oxide based capsules.

Interaction of apo-transferrin with anticancer ruthenium complexes NAMI-A and its reduced form

NAMI-A i.e. (ImH)[trans-RuCl4(DMSO)(Im)] (where Im is imidazole) is a ruthenium(III) complex with promising antimetastatic activity, which has been classified for II phase clinical trial. In this study, its binding properties toward apo-transferrin (apo-Tf) with regard to its hydrolytic and redox behavior are systematically investigated by the use of fluorescence spectroscopy. The reaction of NAMI-A and its reduced form with apo-Tf is proceeded by formation of aqua derivatives and the presence of at least one labile aqua ligand is sufficient to form adducts. It is found that presence of bicarbonate is not necessary for interaction of studied ruthenium complexes with apo-Tf. The calculated association constants for both NAMI-A and its reduced form are very similar with the values of 1.28×104M−1 and 1.36×104M−1 at 37°C, respectively however, the reduced derivatives reach the equilibrium ca. 8–10 times slower. The percentage of ruthenium content in protein fractions separated from protein-unbounded ruthenium by using FPLC (fast protein liquid chromatography) method is rather high and depends on redox state of the complex, for most samples is found higher for reduced species.

Alleviation of Gut Inflammation by Cdx2/Pxr Pathway in a Mouse Model of Chemical Colitis

Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), a master regulator of drug metabolism and inflammation, is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Baicalein and its O-glucuronide baicalin are potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer herbal flavonoids that undergo a complex cycle of interconversion in the liver and gut. We sought to investigate the role these flavonoids play in inhibiting gut inflammation by an axis involving PXR and other potential factors. The consequences of PXR regulation and activation by the herbal flavonoids, baicalein and baicalin were evaluated in vitro in human colon carcinoma cells and in vivo using wild-type, Pxr-null, and humanized (hPXR) PXR mice. Baicalein, but not its glucuronidated metabolite baicalin, activates PXR in a Cdx2-dependent manner in vitro, in human colon carcinoma LS174T cells, and in the murine colon in vivo. While both flavonoids abrogate dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-mediated colon inflammation in vivo, oral delivery of a potent bacterial β-glucuronidase inhibitor eliminates baicalin’s effect on gastrointestinal inflammation by preventing the microbial conversion of baicalin to baicalien. Finally, reduction of gastrointestinal inflammation requires the binding of Cdx2 to a specific proximal site on the PXR promoter. Pharmacological targeting of intestinal PXR using natural metabolically labile ligands could serve as effective and potent therapeutics for gut inflammation that avert systemic drug interactions.

A survey of place-exchange reaction for the preparation of water-soluble gold nanoparticles

Water-soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained considerable attention because they offer a myriad of potential applications, especially in the fields of biology and medicine. One method to prepare such gold nanoparticles is through the well-known Murray place-exchange reaction. In this method, precursor gold nanoparticles, bearing labile ligands and with very good size distribution, are synthesized first, and then reacted with a large excess of the desired ligand. We report a comparison of the reactivity of several known precursor gold nanoparticles (citrate-stabilized, pentanethiol-stabilized, tetraoctylammonium bromide-stabilized, and 4-dimethylaminopyridine-stabilized) to several biologically relevant ligands, including amino acids, peptides, and carbohydrates. We found that citrate-stabilized and 4-dimethylaminopyridine-stabilized gold nanoparticles have broader reactivities than the other precursors studied. Citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles are more versatile precursors because they can be prepared in a wide range of sizes and are very stable. The hydrophobic pentane-stabilized gold nanoparticles made them “inert” toward highly water-soluble ligands. Tetraoctylammonium bromide-stabilized gold nanoparticles exhibited selective reactivity, especially for small, unhindered and amphiphilic ligands. Depending on the desired ligand and size of AuNPs, a judicious selection of the available precursors can be made for use in place-exchange reactions. In preparing water-soluble AuNPs with biologically relevant ligands, the nature of the incoming ligand and the size of the AuNP should be taken into account in order to choose the most suitable place-exchange procedure.

Gas‐phase behaviour of Ru(II) cyclopentadienyl‐derived complexes with N‐coordinated ligands by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: fragmentation pathways and energetics

The gas-phase behaviour of six Ru(II) cyclopentadienyl-derived complexes with N-coordinated ligands, compounds with antitumor activities against several cancer lines, was studied. This was performed with the intent of establishing fragmentation pathways and to determine the Ru-L(N) and Ru-L(P) ligand bond dissociation energies. Such knowledge can be an important tool for the postulation of the mechanisms of action of these anticancer drugs. Two types of instruments equipped with electrospray ionisation were used (ion trap and a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer). The dissociation energies were determined using energy-variable collision-induced dissociation measurements in the ion trap. The FTICR instrument was used to perform MS(n) experiments on one of the compounds and to obtain accurate mass measurements. Theoretical calculations were performed at the density functional theory (DFT) level using two different functionals (B3LYP and M06L) to estimate the dissociation energies of the complexes under study. The influence of the L(N) on the bond dissociation energy (D) of RuCp compounds with different nitrogen ligands was studied. The lability order of L(N) was: imidazole<1-butylimidazole<5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole<1-benzylimidazole. Both the functionals used gave the following ligand lability order: imidazole<1-benzylimidazole<5-phenyl-1H-tetrazole<1-butylimidazole. It is clear that there is an inversion between 1-benzylimidazole and 1-butylimidazole for the experimental and theoretical lability orders. The M06L functional afforded values of D closer to the experimental values. The type of phosphane (L(P) ) influenced the dissociation energies, with values of D being higher for Ru-L(N) with 1-butylimidazole when the phosphane was 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. The Ru-L(P) bond dissociation energy for triphenylphosphane was independent of the type of complex. The D values of Ru-L(N) and Ru-L(P) were determined for all six compounds and compared with the values calculated by the DFT method. For the imidazole-derived ligands the energy trend was rationalized in terms of the increasing extension of the σ-donation/π-backdonation effect. The bond dissociation energy of Ru-PPh(3) was independent of the fragmentations.

Nature’s Polyoxometalate Chemistry: X-ray Structure of the Mo Storage Protein Loaded with Discrete Polynuclear Mo–O Clusters

Some N(2)-fixing bacteria prolong the functionality of nitrogenase in molybdenum starvation by a special Mo storage protein (MoSto) that can store more than 100 Mo atoms. The presented 1.6 Å X-ray structure of MoSto from Azotobacter vinelandii reveals various discrete polyoxomolybdate clusters, three covalently and three noncovalently bound Mo(8), three Mo(5-7), and one Mo(3) clusters, and several low occupied, so far undefinable clusters, which are embedded in specific pockets inside a locked cage-shaped (αβ)(3) protein complex. The structurally identical Mo(8) clusters (three layers of two, four, and two MoO(n) octahedra) are distinguishable from the [Mo(8)O(26)](4-) cluster formed in acidic solutions by two displaced MoO(n) octahedra implicating three kinetically labile terminal ligands. Stabilization in the covalent Mo(8) cluster is achieved by Mo bonding to Hisα156-N(ε2) and Gluα129-O(ε1). The absence of covalent protein interactions in the noncovalent Mo(8) cluster is compensated by a more extended hydrogen-bond network involving three pronounced histidines. One displaced MoO(n) octahedron might serve as nucleation site for an inhomogeneous Mo(5-7) cluster largely surrounded by bulk solvent. In the Mo(3) cluster located on the 3-fold axis, the three accurately positioned His140-N(ε2) atoms of the α subunits coordinate to the Mo atoms. The formed polyoxomolybdate clusters of MoSto, not detectable in bulk solvent, are the result of an interplay between self- and protein-driven assembly processes that unite inorganic supramolecular and protein chemistry in a host-guest system. Template, nucleation/protection, and catalyst functions of the polypeptide as well as perspectives for designing new clusters are discussed.