Conversion of NOx1- (x = 2, 3) to NO using an oxygen-deficient polyoxovanadate-alkoxide cluster.

We report the activation of nitrogen-containing oxyanions using an oxygen-deficient polyoxovanadate-alkoxide cluster. Reduction of NO21- and NO31- results in near-quantitative oxygen atom transfer to the coordinatively unsaturated VIII ion, and selective formation of NO. These results provide insight into possible mechanisms of oxyanion reduction by polyoxometalates.