Multicomponent Self-Assembly of a Giant Heterometallic Polyoxotungstate Supercluster with Antitumor Activity.

The hierarchical aggregation of molecular nanostructures from multiple components is a grand synthetic challenge, which requires highly selective linkage control. We demonstrate how two orthogonal linkage groups, that is, organotin and lanthanide cations, can be used to drive the aggregation of a giant molecular metal oxide superstructure. The title compound {[(Sn(CH3 )2 )2 O]4 {[CeW5 O18 ] [TeW4 O16 ][CeSn(CH3 )2 ]4 [TeW8 O31 ]4 }2 }46- (1 a) features dimensions of ca. 2.2×2.3×3.4 nm3 and a molecular weight of ca. 25 kDa. Structural analysis shows the hierarchical aggregation from several independent subunits. Initial biomedical tests show that 1 features an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HeLa cells based on an apoptosis pathway. In vivo experiments in mice reveal the antiproliferative activity of 1 and open new paths for further development of this new compound class.