Synthesis and characterization of iron(III)-substituted, dimeric polyoxotungstates, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](n-) (n = 6, X = As(III), Sb(III); n = 4, X = Se(IV), Te(IV)).

Interaction of the lacunary [alpha-XW(9)O(33)](9-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) with Fe(3+) ions in acidic, aqueous medium leads to the formation of dimeric polyoxoanions, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) in high yield. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-AsW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, with a = 20.2493(18) A, b = 15.2678(13) A, c = 16.0689(14) A, beta = 95.766(2) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SbW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O is isomorphous with a = 20.1542(18) A, b = 15.2204(13) A, c = 16.1469(14) A, and beta = 95.795(2) degrees. The selenium and tellurium analogues are also reported, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) (X = Se(IV), Te(IV)). They are synthesized from sodium tungstate and a source of the heteroatom as precursors. X-ray single-crystal analysis was carried out on Cs(4)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)] x 21H(2)O, which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P macro 1, with a = 12.6648(10) A, b = 12.8247(10) A, c = 16.1588(13) A, alpha = 75.6540(10) degrees, beta = 87.9550(10) degrees, gamma = 64.3610(10) gamma, and Z = 1. All title polyanions consist of two (beta-XW(9)O(33)) units joined by a central pair and a peripheral pair of Fe(3+) ions leading to a structure with idealized C(2h) symmetry. It was also possible to synthesize the Cr(III) derivatives [Cr(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)), the tungstoselenates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16)(-)(4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), and the tungstotellurates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-TeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16-4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), as determined by FTIR. The electrochemical properties of the iron-containing species were also studied. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry aided in distinguishing between Fe(3+) and W(6+) waves. By variation of pH and scan rate, it was possible to observe the stepwise reduction of the Fe(3+) centers.