New polyoxometalate–laccase integrated system for kraft pulp delignification

New polyoxometalate–laccase integrated system (PLIDS) employing polyoxometalate [SiW₁₁V^VO₄₀]⁵⁻ and laccase of Trametes versicolor for the continuous delignification of eucalypt kraft pulp has been developed. Pulp was delignified in a batch reactor containing catalytic amounts of [SiW₁₁V^VO₄₀]⁵⁻ at about 90 °C under atmospheric pressure. Re-oxidation of reduced polyoxometalate (POM) with laccase was carried out at 45 °C in a separate aerated bioreactor coupled with an ultrafiltration tubular ceramic membrane. This allowed the separation of laccase from re-oxidized POM, which was supplied in turn continuously to the delignification reactor.Proposed PLIDS allowed sustainable pulp delignification with minimal degradation of polysaccharides. The implementation of PLIDS, instead the fist chlorine dioxide stage (D) in conventional DEDED bleaching sequence, showed almost 60% of chlorine dioxide savings with strength properties of the bleached pulp (90% ISO) similar to those obtained after the conventional bleaching.     

Synthesis and structural characterizations of four polyoxometalate compounds consisting of transition metals or alkaline cations as the bridging units

Four new polyoxometalate compounds, namely [Cu₂(pyrazine)₄][Cu(pyrazine)₂][PMo₁₂O₄₀] · 2H₂O (1), {[K(H₂O)₂]₄H₈PW₁₂O₄₄}F · 8H₂O (2), H₉[K₂KMo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₃₄] · 35H₂O (3), and H₃Na₃[V₁₀O₂₈] · 15H₂O (4), were prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis results reveal that, in compound 1, Keggin anion of [PMoO₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ is enchased in the bowl-like Cu(I)-pyrazine intervals via weak interactions between terminal oxygen atoms and cations of Cu(I). For compound 2, a three-dimensional architecture with pores of 7.70 × 7.70 Å is constructed from the anions of [PW₁₂O₄₄]¹¹⁻ cross-linked via corner-sharing alkali cations of K⁺. The [Mo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₁₆]¹²⁻ units of compound 3 are linked to form one wave-like chain via cations of K⁺. Whereas, in compound 4, anions of [V₁₀O₂₈]³⁻ are linked via NaO₆ octahedra to form two-dimensional layer structure. On the basis of this two-dimensional layer, a three-dimensional architecture is further formed via hydrogen bonds involving edge-shared NaO₆ double octahedron.     

The construction of a new POMs-based inorganic-organic hybrid framework involving in-situ ligand conversion from 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane to isonicotinic acid

A new inorganic-organic hybrid complex, Na₂[{Ag₁₀(NC₅H₄COO)₈(H₂O)₆}(SiW₁₂O₄₀)] (1), has been successfully synthesized from [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions, Ag⁺ ions and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, TG analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, each [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anion connects with six Ag atoms and in turn each Ag atom links to three [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions, leading to a (6, 3) layer. Such (6, 3) layers are arranged in parallel and further linked by [Ag(H₂O)(NC₅H₄COOH)₂]⁻ fragments to generate a 3D framework. The most striking feature in this work is that 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane converses to isonicotinic acid in the synthetic reaction of 1, which may be induced by the combined function of Ag⁺ ion and polyoxometalate.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and properties of three rare earth substituted germanotungstates: M/[α-GeW11O39] (M = Nd,Eu, and Tb)

Three new polyoxometalate compounds based on the lacunary Keggin anion [α-GeW₁₁O₃₉]^8? and the rare earth cations (Ln = Nd^III, Eu^III, Tb^III), [(CH₃)₄N]_2.5H_7.5[Eu(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂]₂ · 4.5H₂O (1), [(CH₃)₄N]₂H₈[Tb(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂]₂ · 2.5H₂O (2) and [Nd_0.5(H₂O)₂]H_0.5[Nd₂(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(DMSO)₂(H₂O)₈] · 5.5H₂O (3), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid-state structures of compounds 1 and 2 consist of one-dimensional linear wires built of [α-GeW₁₁O₃₉]^8? anions connected by Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ cations, while in compound 3, the introduction of the organic molecules DMSO (DMSO = dimethyl sulphoxide) leads to a double-parallel chainlike structure constructed by two linear wires {[Nd(1)(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(DMSO)(H₂O)₂]^5?}_n linked by Nd³⁺ coordination cation. Furthermore, the luminescent property of compound 1 and the thermal stability of compound 3 were also studied.     

Two dumbbell-like polyoxometalates constructed from capped molybdovanadate and transition metal complexes

Self assembly of NaVO₃, Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O and NiCl₂·6H₂O with the assistance of organic liginds under hydrothermal conditions results in two molybdovanadates [Ni(enMe)₂]₄{[Ni(enMe)₂(H₂O)]₂[Ni(enMe)₂][(V^VMo^VI₈V₄^IVO₄₀)(V^IVO)₂]₂}·10H₂O (1) and [Ni(enMe)₂]₅{[Ni(enMe)₂]₂[(V^VMo^VI₄Mo^V₄V₄^IVO₄₀)(V^IVO)₄]₂}·2H₂O (2), (enMe = 1,2-diaminopropane), which have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Both of the two compounds exhibit dumbbell-like structures constructed from capped polyoxomolybdovanadates and [Ni(enMe)₂]²⁺ complexes. Polyoxoxanion 1 is composed of two bicapped Keggin-type anions [(V^VMo₈V₄^IVO₄₀)(V^IVO)₂]⁷⁻, one [Ni(enMe)₂]²⁺ bridging fragment and two decorated nickel(II) complexes. Polyxoxanion 2 consists of two tetracapped molybdenum-vanadium polyoxoanions [(V^VMo^VI₄Mo^V₄V₄^IVO₄₀)(V^IVO)₄]⁷⁻, one [Ni(enMe)₂]²⁺ bridging fragment and a nickel(II) decorated fragment. Polyxoxanions 1 and 2 are further linked to form three-dimensional supramolecular networks through extensive hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, photocatalysis properties of these two compounds have been investigated.     

Structural and antitumor activity study of γ-octamolybdates containing aminoacids and peptides

γ-Type octamolybdates of the formulae, Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(alaO)₂] · 18H₂O (I), Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(glyglyO)₂] · 15H₂O (II) and Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(glyglyO)₂] · 12H₂O (III) have been prepared from sodium molybdate in aqueous solution by adding dl-alanine or glycylglycine. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray structure analysis. dl-alanine and glycylglycine coordinate molybdenum atom in γ-octamolybdate [Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ anions via monodentate carboxylate-oxygen atom. The prepared octamolybdates were screened for the possible antiproliferative activity on a panel of five tumor cell lines and on a normal cell line. All tested compounds showed a differential cell-growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner selectively on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).     

In situ fabrication and electrochemical behavior of amino acid polyoxometalate nanoparticles-embedded microcapsules

Amino acid polyoxometalate nanoparticles-embedded microcapsules were in situ fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method [polyoxometalate, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀·nH₂O (PMo₁₂); amino acid, glycine (Gly)]. The morphology of the obtained microcapsules was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical behavior of the amino acid polyoxometalate nanoparticles-embedded microcapsules was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The microcapsules show the pH-dependent properties, indicating that the pH of solution plays an important role in the electrochemical behavior of heteropolyanions.     

A series of POM-based hybrid materials with different copper/aminotriazole motifs

By controlling the reaction temperature, pH value of the system and the polyanion templates, three inorganic-organic hybrid materials based on Keggin polyoxometalate building blocks combined with Cu^I/II and 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4atrz) have been obtained by hydrothermal methods, namely, [Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(4atrz)₆][SiW₁₂O₄₀]·I·3H₂O (1), [Cu₄(4atrz)₆][SiW₁₂O₄₀] (2) and [Cu₆(4atrz)₆][PMo₁₂O₄₀]₂·H₂O (3). Crystal structure analysis reveals that the Cu^I/II/4atrz complexes in the three materials show tri-, tetra- and hexanuclear models, respectively. In compound 2, the copper clusters link the polyoxometalates into the chains by weak Cu-O bonds; while in the compounds 1 and 3, the copper clusters and the polyoxometalates stack by the ionic interactions. These compounds are further characterized by powder XRD, elemental analyses, FT-IR and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The electrochemical behavior of 3-CPE has been studied in the 1 M H₂SO₄ solution. The results exhibit that there are four pairs of redox waves attributable to the four consecutive two-electron processes of Mo(VI/V) couples and the redox process is surface-controlled.     

Hybrid organic-inorganic assemblies built up from saturated heteropolyoxoanions and copper coordination polymers with mixed 4,4′-bipyridine and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

Three new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds [Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-bipy)_0.5]₂[Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-Hbipy)][Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[P₂W₁₈O₆₂] · 3H₂O (1), [Cu^I(2,2′-bipy)(4,4′-bipy)_0.5]₂[Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] · 0.25H₂O (2), and[Cu^I(4,4′-bipy)]₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · en · 3H₂O (3) (2,2′- bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized. Compound 1 represents the first 1D ladderlike structure formed by Dawson-type polyoxoanion [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ and coordination polymer with mixed 4,4′-bipy and 2,2′-bipy ligands. The novel structure of 2 is composed of 1D hybrid zigzag chains linked by chains into a 3D framework. In compound 3, the [PMo₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ clusters are hung on chains to form a new 1D chain.     

Open‐Structured V2O5·nH2O Nanoflakes as Highly Reversible Cathode Material for Monovalent and Multivalent Intercalation Batteries

The high‐capacity cathode material V₂O₅·n H₂O has attracted considerable attention for metal ion batteries due to the multielectron redox reaction during electrochemical processes. It has an expanded layer structure, which can host large ions or multivalent ions. However, structural instability and poor electronic and ionic conductivities greatly handicap its application. Here, in cell tests, self‐assembly V₂O₅·n H₂O nanoflakes shows excellent electrochemical performance with either monovalent or multivalent cation intercalation. They are directly grown on a 3D conductive stainless steel mesh substrate via a simple and green hydrothermal method. Well‐layered nanoflakes are obtained after heat treatment at 300 °C (V₂O₅·0.3H₂O). Nanoflakes with ultrathin flower petals deliver a stable capacity of 250 mA h g^?1 in a Li‐ion cell, 110 mA h g^?1 in a Na‐ion cell, and 80 mA h g^?1 in an Al‐ion cell in their respective potential ranges (2.0–4.0 V for Li and Na‐ion batteries and 0.1–2.5 V for Al‐ion battery) after 100 cycles.     

Bis(oxalato)dioxovanadate(V) and Bis(oxalato)oxoperoxo-vanadate(V) Complexes: Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Activity

Two structurally related vanadium(V) complexes, K₃[VO₂(C₂O₄)₂]·3H₂O and K₃[VO(O₂)(C₂O₄)₂]·1/2H₂O, were thoroughly characterized by infrared, Raman, and electronic spectroscopies. The effect of both complexes on the viability of the human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells was tested using the MTT assay. The monoperoxo complex shows a very strong antiproliferative activity (at 100-μM concentration, this complex diminished the cell viability ca. 80 %), whereas the dioxo complex was inactive.     

Photophysical properties of Eu(SiW11O39)2 and Eu(BW11O39)2

The photophysical properties (absorption, emission, and excitation spectra; luminescence quantum yields; luminescence decay lifetimes ) of K₁₃[Eu(SiW₁₁O₃₉)₂] and K₁₅[Eu(BW₁₁O₃₉)₂] in aqueous solution and in the solid state are reported. Both complexes exhibit broad and very intense O → W charge transfer bands in the U.V. region and weak and narrow f → f Eu₃₊ bands in the visible. At 77 K the luminescence emission of both complexes, which consists of ⁵D_O → ⁷F_J bands split by the local crystal field, can be pumped very efficiently via both the O → W CT and the f → f Eu³⁺ levels, whereas at 298 K only pumping via the f → f Eu³⁺ is efficient. The values of the luminescence decay lifetimes in H₂O and D₂O solution are quite similar, showing that no water molecule is coordinated to the central Eu₃₊ ion. The high resolution emission spectra are discussed in an attempt to define the coordination symmetry of Eu₃₊.     

Polyoxometalate cluster [V12B18O60H6] functionalized with the copper(II) bis-ethylenediamine complex

Three compounds based on the polyoxometalate building block [V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆], (Na)₁₀[(H₂O)V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆]·18H₂O (1), Na₈[Cu(en)₂]₂[V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆](NO₃)₂·14.7H₂O (2), Na₇[Cu(en)₂]₂[V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆](NO₃)·15.5H₂O (3), (en = ethylenediamine), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and TGA. Compound 1 consists of polyoxovanadium borate [V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆] clusters which are surrounded by sodium countercations in octahedral sites, stabilized by electrostatic interactions with the oxygen atoms of both vanadium and boron centres. However, compounds 2 and 3 correspond to more complicated structures, constructed from the same polyoxometalate clusters, which are interconnected by [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ moieties via the terminal oxygen atoms of the polyoxoanions, generating one-dimensional structures. The functionalization of this polyoxovanadium borate cluster has been obtained by the use of [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ complex ions, thus demonstrating the capacity of the terminal oxygen atoms of the cluster to bind transition metal centres. The structural stability of the [V₁₂B₁₈O₆₀H₆] cluster permits the formation of functionalized polyoxometalate clusters, generating various crystalline lattices.     

Optimizing Production of Extracellular Laccase from Grammothele Subargentea CLPS No. 436 Strain

The production of extracellular laccase by the Grammothele subargentea CLPS no. 436 strain in liquid cultures grown on a carbon-limited basal medium was significantly enhanced when culture conditions, including the addition of CuSO₄·5H₂O or veratryl alcohol, were consecutively optimized. A laccase activity as high as 1954.5 mU ml⁻¹ of liquid medium was obtained under optimum conditions, which corresponded to non-agitated cultures supplemented with 0.6 mM CuSO₄·5H₂O. Veratryl alcohol at 1 mM was less effective than CuSO₄·5H₂O for increasing laccase activity levels; the supplementation of veratryl alcohol resulted only in maximum levels of 44 mU ml⁻¹ in non-agitated cultures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural and EPR/ENDOR/ESEEM spectroscopic investigations of a vanadomolybdate Keggin-type polyoxometalate in organic solvent

An EPR spectrum of as synthesized [G.A. Tsigdinos, C.J. Hallada, Inorg. Chem. 7 (1968) 437-441], orange colored, H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ polyoxometalate showed the presence of a reduced vanadium(IV) addenda atom. Surprisingly, further ³¹P ENDOR (electron-nuclear double resonance) measurements indicated the absence of a phosphorous heteroatom leading to the suggestion that H₅V^VV^IVMo₁₁O₄₀ exists as a previously unrecognized impurity in the typically synthesized H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ compound. H_5/4PV^VO₄V^IV/VMo₁₁O₃₆ was then synthesized in low yield (0.8 mol%) by omitting the addition of phosphate in a typical H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ preparation. The molecular formulation and structure was supported by X-ray crystallography, infrared and mass spectrometry. Further use of EPR/ENDOR/ESEEM (electron-spin echo envelope modulation) allowed the formulation of [V^VV^IVMo₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻ as [V^VO₄V^IVMo₁₁O₃₆]⁵⁻. Accordingly, the polyoxometalate has a heteroatom core with 11 molybdenum addenda and one VO²⁺ moiety at the polyoxometalate surface. The redox potential and the catalytic activity of the new vanadomolybdate polyoxometalate compound were essentially identical to the often-studied H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ polyoxometalate isomeric mixture.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and characterizations of two novel heteropolytungstate supported coordination compounds

Two novel heteropolytungstates, [Ni(2,2′-bpy)₃]_1.5{PW_10.79V_1.21O₄₀(VO)_0.5[Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂L]} · 0.5H₂O (1) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, L = 0.5H₂O + 0.5OH^?) and K[PW₁₂O₄₀[Ni(1,10-phen)₂(OH)]₂] · 2H₂O (2) (1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, XPS, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The polyoxoanion of 1 is a mono-capped α-Keggin cluster which supports a metal coordination fragment [Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂L]^1.5+, while the structure of 2 exhibits a 1D chain constructed from pseudo-Keggin cluster bi-supported transition metal complexes linked by K⁺ ions. Studies of magnetic properties indicated the presence of paramagnetic behaviours for compounds 1 and 2.     

Two new extended frameworks constructed from the sandwiching polytungstoarsenate clusters

Two new extended frameworks based on two different sandwich-type polytungstoarsenates have been synthesized under routine conditions. The reaction of Na₉[As^IIIW₉O₃₃]·19.5H₂O, MnSO₄·H₂O and citric acid in a weak acidic aqueous solution at pH = 4.23 led to the isolation of a new extended sandwich-type compound {K₃Na₈[{Mn^II(H₂O)}_2.5{(WO)(H₂O)}_0.5(AsW₉O₃₃)₂]·12.5H₂O}_n (1). In compound 1, each sandwiching polyoxoanion [{Mn^II(H₂O)}_2.5{(WO)(H₂O)}_0.5(AsW₉O₃₃)₂]¹¹⁻ acts as a quadridentate ligand to connect with four neighbors via the mode of {W-O-Mn}, finally leading to an interesting 2D network. The reaction of Na₈[HAsW₉O₃₄]·11H₂O, CeCl₃·7H₂O and hexamethylenetetramine in an aqueous solution with pH = 5.07 resulted in the obtainment of a polytungstoarsenate-based extended compound [HMTA-CH₃]₂[HMTA]K₂Na₇[Ce(AsW₁₁O₃₉)₂]·19H₂O(2) (HMTA-CH₃ = methyl-hexamethylenetetraamine; HMTA = hexamethylenetetraamine). In 2, the polyoxoanions [Ce(AsW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹¹⁻ construct a new extended structure through coordinating to the {KO₅(H₂O)[HMTA-CH₃]} and {KO₄(H₂O)₂[HMTA]} units. The two compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, IR, the diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectra, PXRD and TG analyses. The electrochemical and electrocatalytical properties of 1 and 2, as well as the fluorescent property of 2 were also investigated.     

A series of inorganic-organic hybrid compounds constructed from bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates and copper-organic units

A series of inorganic-organic hybrid compounds built from bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates and copper-complexes, namely, H₈[Cu(en)₂H₂O]₄[Cu(en)₂]{[Cu(en)₂][La(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]}₂·18H₂O (1), H₆[Na₂(en)₂(H₂O)₅][Cu(en)₂H₂O]₄[Cu(en)₂]{[Cu(en)₂][Ce(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]}₂·16H₂O (2), H₆[Na₂(en)₂(H₂O)₅][Cu(en)₂H₂O]₄[Cu(en)₂]{[Cu(en)₂][Pr(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]}₂·18H₂O (3), H₆[Na₂(en)₂(H₂O)₄][Cu(en)₂H₂O]₄[Cu(en)₂]{[Cu(en)₂][Nd(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]}₂·14H₂O (4), H₆[Na₂(en)₂(H₂O)₅][Cu(en)₂H₂O]₄[Cu(en)₂]{[Cu(en)₂][Sm(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]}₂·20H₂O (5), and H₇[Cu(en)₂]₂[Sm(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]·10H₂O (6) (where en = 1,2-ethylenediamine), have been prepared. In these compounds, two lacunary [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻ anions sandwich an eight-coordinated Ln(III) cation to yield [Ln(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂]¹¹⁻ anion in a twisted square anti-prismatic geometry, which is further bridged by [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ fragments to generate a 1D zigzag-like chain. In 1-6, the coordination bond interactions and weak interactions between adjacent 1D chains play an important role in the zigzagging distances and angles of different 1D chains. The magnetic studies indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions exist in compounds 1, 2 and 4.     

Two new polyoxometalate-based hybrids: Structural transformation played by a secondary bridging ligand

Two new Keggin polyoxometalate-based compounds, [Ag₄(phnz)₆(SiW₁₂O₄₀)] (phnz = phenazine) (1) and [Ag(phnz)_1.5][Ag(phnz)(pz)][{Ag₂(phnz)(pz)(H₂O)}(SiW₁₂O₄₀)] (2) (pz = pyrazine), have been hydrothermally synthesized. Compound 1 is a discrete cluster in which the [SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ (SiW₁₂) anion symmetrically connects two dinuclear Ag₂(phnz)₃ fragments. All Ag^I in 1 adopt a trigonal geometry. By introducing the secondary bridging ligand “pz” into the above system, compound 2 was obtained. Compound 2 contains three kinds of silver complex subunits: [Ag₂(phnz)(pz)(H₂O)]²⁺, [Ag₂(phnz)₃]²⁺ and [Ag(phnz)(pz)]⁺. The first one extends to a wave-like chain with SiW₁₂ anions as bi-dentate suspenders, and the last two are counter cations. Furthermore, Ag^I ions in 2 exhibit three kinds of coordination modes. Their electrochemistry properties have also been studied.     

Coordination properties of α-hydroxy carboxylic acids. Part I. Binuclear niobium (V) complex acids and some salts

The conditions of dissolution of freshly precipitated niobium (V) oxide in α-hydroxy carboxylic acids glycolic, lactic, malic and tartaric were investigated. The dissolution is a function of the molar ratio α-hydroxy carboxylic acid/hydrated niobium(V) oxide, pH of the solution, temperature and time. From solutions of α-hydroxy monocarboxylic acids at 2 < pH < 3 the binuclear complexes H₃O[Nb₂O₄(C₂H₂O₃)(C₂H₃O₃)]·H₂O and H₃O[Nb₂O₄(C₃H₄O₃)(C₃H₅O₃)]·H₂O were isolated. Colourless, poorly-crystalline complexes are 1:1 electrolytes and, according to i.r. spectral evidence, the binuclearity in their structures is achieved through oxygen bridges. With α-hydroxy dicarboxylic acids crystalline M[Nb₂O₃(C₄H₃O₅)(C₄H₄O₅)]·nH₂O and poorly crystalline complexes, M₂[Nb₂O₂(C₄H₂O₆)₂]·nH₂O, M = H₃O⁺, NH₄⁺ were prepared as 1:1 electrolytes for the former and 1:2 electrolytes for the latter. Analytical, spectral, conductometric and potentiometric titration data give evidence for binuclear malatoniobate(V) and tartratoniobate(V) anions with bridging complex-forming agents.