Polyoxometalate

The phosphotungstate anion, an example of a polyoxometalate

In chemistry, a polyoxometalate (abbreviated POM) is a polyatomic ion, usually an anion, that consists of three or more transition metal oxyanions linked together by shared oxygen atoms to form closed 3-dimensional frameworks. The metal atoms are usually group 6 (Mo, W) or less commonly group 5 (V, Nb, Ta) and group 7 (Tc, Re) transition metals in their high oxidation states. Polyoxometalates are often colorless, orange or red diamagnetic anions. Two broad families are recognized, isopolymetalates, composed of only one kind of metal and oxide, and heteropolymetalates, composed of one or more metals, oxide, and eventually a main group oxyanion (phosphate, silicate, etc.). Many exceptions to these general statements exist.[1][2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference G&E was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Pope, M. T. (1983). Heteropoly and Isopoly Oxometalates. New York: Springer Verlag.