Polyoxometalates constitute an extensive class of compounds with an unmatched range of structures, properties, and applications. This book incorporates contributions from polyoxometalate scientists, and presents a summary of research developments in this dynamic field. It provides an introduction for academic and industrial chemists, biochemists, structural biologists, surface scientists, mathematicians, and others interested in new applications and devices. Topics discussed include synthetic strategies leading to functionalized organic polyoxometalate derivatives, oxothioanions, and supramolecular assemblies; solution equilibria pertinent to the bleaching of kraft pulp; molecular growth from discrete anions to framework materials, nano-devices and thin films via self-assembly processes; energy transfer solid-state optical and magnetic properties, selective homogeneous and nanocluster-based catalytic applications; photocatalytic decontamination of water resources; and structural crystallography of the ribosome.

Table of Contents:
to Polyoxometalate Chemistry : From Topology via Self-assembly to Applications.- Synthetic Strategies.- Rational Approaches to Polyoxometalate Synthesis.- Functionalization of Polyoxometalates : Achievements and Perspectives.- From the First Sulfurated Keggin Anion to a New Class of Compounds Based on the [M2O2S2]2+ Building Block M=Mo,W.- Organometallic Oxometal Clusters.- Structures: Molecular and Electronic.- Spherical (Icosahedral) Objects in Nature and Deliberately Constructable Molecular Keplerates: Structural and Topological Aspects.- Syntheses and Crystal Structure Studies of Novel Selenium- and Tellurium-substituted Lacunary Polyoxometalates.- Vibrational Spectroscopy of Heteropoly Acids.- Bond-stretch Isomerism in Polyoxometalates?.- Quantum-chemical studies of electron transfer in transition-metal substituted polyoxometalates.- Solution Equilibria and Dynamics.- Aqueous Peroxoisopolyoxometalates.- Molybdate speciation in systems related to the bleaching of kraft pulp.- NMR Studies of Various Ligands Coordinated to Paramagnetic Polyoxometalates.- From Discrete Clusters to Networks and Materials.- Molecular Aspect of Energy Transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ in the Polyoxometalate Lattices: An Approach for Molecular Design of Rare-Earth Metal-Oxide Phosphors.- COnducting and Magnetic Organic / Inorganic Molecular Materials Based on Polyoxometalates.- Molecular Materials from Polyoxometalates.- Framework Materials Composed of Transition Metal Oxide Clusters.- Perspectives in the Solid State Coordination Chemistry of the Molybdenum Oxides.- Polyoxometalate Clusters in a Supramolecular SelfOrganized Environment: Steps Towards Functional Nanodevices and Thin Film Applications.- Polyoxometalate Chemistry: a Source for Unusual Spin Topologies.- Heteropolyanions: Molecular Building Blocks for Ultrathin Oxide Films.- Applications : Catalysis, Biological Systems, Environmental Studies.- Selective Oxidation of Hydrocarbons with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Iron-substituted Silicotungstates.- Aerobic Oxidations Catalyzed by Polyoxometalates.- Polyoxoanions in Catalysis: From Record Catalytic Lifetime Nanocluster Catalysis to Record Catalytic Lifetime Catechol Dioxygenase Catalysis.- Ribosomal Crystallography and Heteropolytungstates.- Photocatalytic Decontamination by Polyoxometalates.