Trisubstituted 4f- and 4d tungstoantimonates as artificial phosphoesterases for nerve agent degradation.

Three new trisubstituted 4f- and 4d tungstoantimonates (TA) K 3 Na 21 [(M(CH 3 COO)) 3 (HPO 3 )(WO 4 )(SbW 9 O 33 ) 3 ]· n H 2 O {M3(HPO3)Sb3W28} (M = Gd III , Y III , Yb III , n = 35-36) were synthesized using a double-template synthetic approach. Following their characterization in the solid state employing single- and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR-spectroscopy, and elemental - and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), {M3(HPO3)Sb3W28} were subjected to a comprehensive set of solution characterization methods including UV/vis- and multinuclear 31 P and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. All representatives were shown to be highly active, recyclable, and stable Lewis-acid catalysts towards the nerve agent simulant O , O -dimethyl O -(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (DMNP) at neutral pH (in Tris-HCl [125 mM] at pD 7.0 25 °C). Control experiments showing catalytic activity of the unsubstituted trilacunary TA [SbW 9 O 33 ] 9- suggest the non-innocence of Tris in the DMNP hydrolysis for the first time.