Optically active transition metal complexes. 87. Synthesis of porphyrin complexes containing chiral Fe atoms. Demonstration of Fe chirality by H NMR spectroscopy

After transformation of the vinyl groups in hemin into H, CH₂CH₃ and COCH₃, the propionic acid side chains were converted into esters and amides using (-)-menthol, (-)-2-methylbutanol and (-)-1-phenylethylamine. By introducing the CS ligand into the apical position, square pyramidal complexes were obtained, differing only in the Fe configuration, which could not be separated. However, the two diastereomers with different Fe configuration, having optically active 1-phenylethylisonitrile and pyridine (or 4-methylpyridine) as ligands in the axial positions, at −20°C exhibit different chemical shifts demonstrating configurational stability at the Fe atom on the ¹H NMR time scale. At room temperature epimerization at the Fe atom occurs by ligand exchange reactions.     

Optically active transition metal complexes. 87. Synthesis of porphyrin complexes containing chiral Fe atoms. Demonstration of Fe chirality by 1H NMR spectroscopy

After transformation of the vinyl groups in hemin into H, CH₂CH₃ and COCH₃, the propionic acid side chains were converted into esters and amides using (-)-menthol, (-)-2-methylbutanol and (-)-1-phenylethylamine. By introducing the CS ligand into the apical position, square pyramidal complexes were obtained, differing only in the Fe configuration, which could not be separated. However, the two diastereomers with different Fe configuration, having optically active 1-phenylethylisonitrile and pyridine (or 4-methylpyridine) as ligands in the axial positions, at ?20°C exhibit different chemical shifts demonstrating configurational stability at the Fe atom on the ¹H NMR time scale. At room temperature epimerization at the Fe atom occurs by ligand exchange reactions.     

Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of four zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes constructed by ligand bearing poly-coordination atoms

Treatment of 3-(4-carboxyphenylhydrazono)pentane-2,4-dione (HL) with transition metal ions afforded four novel complexes, [Zn(L)(μ₂-OOCCH₃)(H₂O)]_n (1), [Zn(L)₂(MeOH)₄] (2), {[Cd₄(η²-L)₄(μ₂-η²-L)₄(H₂O)₄(MeOH)₂]·MeOH} (3) and [Cd(η²-L)(μ₂-η²-OOCCH₃)(H₂O)₂]_n (4). Their crystal structures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In polymer 1, the acetate anions bridge the Zn(II) ions forming an infinite one-dimensional (1-D) chain with L⁻ units acting as monodentate ligands in the side chain. In mononuclear complex 2, two L⁻ ligands act as monodentate fashion to coordinate to the Zn(II) ion. In its solid-state structure, [Zn(L)₂(MeOH)₄] groups are joined together by hydrogen bonds forming a three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular network. In tetranuclear complex 3, four Cd(II) ions are linked by four μ₂-η²-L⁻ ligands, and chelated by another four L⁻ ligands, respectively. In polymer 4, the acetate anions bridge the Cd(II) ions leading to a 1-D chain containing chelating L⁻ units in the side chain.     

4′-(4-Pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine as ligand in the lead(II) complexes, [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I2] · MeOH and [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]2(ClO4)2

Two new lead(II) complexes with the ligand 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy), [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I₂] · MeOH and [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]₂(ClO₄)₂, have been synthesized and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, ¹H NMR-, ¹³C NMR-, IR spectroscopy and structurally analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The thermal stabilities of these compounds were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The single crystal X-ray analyses show that the coordination number in these complexes is six with three “pyterpy” N-donor atoms and two or three of the anionic ligands. The arrangement of donor atoms in these complexes suggest a gap or hole in the coordination geometry of the lead atoms, possibly occupied by a stereoactive lone pair of electrons on lead(II) and the coordination sphere is hemidirected. The potentially tetradentate ligand 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy) acts as a tridentate donor to Pb(II). The noncoordinated pyridyl group interacts with hydrogen atoms of adjacent molecules and forms normal hydrogen bonds in [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I₂] · MeOH and weak C-H?N interactions for [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]₂(ClO₄)₂, thus extending the monomeric structures into one-dimensional networks.     

Racemization,enantiomerization, diastereomerization,and epimerization: Their meaning and pharmacological significance

The configurational lability of enantiomers can be characterized by different terms, each defining a specific process. Racemization relates to the macroscopic and statistical process of the irreversible transformation of one of the enantiomers into the racemic mixture. Enantiomerization refers to the microscopic and molecule process of the reversible conversion of one enantiomer into the other. Methods allowing the experimental determination of rate constants of racemization (k_rac) and enantiomerization (k_enant) are discussed, and it is shown that k_enant = 1/2 k_rac. Neglect of this fact is a source of some confusion in the literature. When two or more elements of chirality are present in a molecule and one of them is configurationally labile, epimerization occurs, a particular case of diastereomerization. These processes of interconversion between diastereomers are kinetically more complicated than racemization and enantiomerization since the rate constants of the forward and reverse reactions are always different (k_diast/A-to-B ≠ k_diast/B-to-A), however small the difference. An important aspect of the configurational lability of stereoisomeric drugs is the time scale of the phenomenon. When interconversion occurs to a significant extent during the residence time of a drug in the body, a pharmacological time scale is implied. In contrast, the pharmaceutical time scale refers to slower rates of interconversion that affect the configurational purity of a drug during its shelf-life. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A nearly symmetric trinuclear chromium(III) oxo carboxylate assembly: preparation, molecular and crystal structure, and magnetic properties of [Cr3O(O2CPh)6(MeOH)3](NO3) · 2MeOH

Complex [Cr₃O(O₂CPh)₆(MeOH)₃](NO₃) · 2MeOH (1 · 2MeOH) has been synthesized from the one-pot reaction between Cr(NO₃)₃ · 9H₂O and NaO₂CPh in MeOH. The structure of the complex has been solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=14.716(6) Å, b=22.569(8) Å, c=15.755(6) Å, β=95.02(1)°, V=5212.5(4) ų and Z=4. Although the cation does not possess any crystallographically imposed symmetry element, its {Cr₃(μ₃-O)} core is nearly symmetric. Each Cr^III…Cr^III vector is further bridged by two η¹:η¹:μ₂ benzoates, with a terminal MeOH molecule completing octahedral coordination at each metal ion. The crystal structure consists of layers that are parallel to (0 1 0) crystallographic plane and are formed through π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and solid-state ¹H NMR studies indicate that the total spin value of the ground state is 1/2. EPR experiments reveal the existence of a distribution of trimers with axial anisotropy in the g tensor.     

Synthesis and structures of mono and binuclear nickel(II) thiolate complexes of a dicompartmental pseudo-macrocycle with N(imine)2S2 and N(oxime)2S2 metal-binding sites

The reaction of [Ni(pftp)] [pftp = N,N-propane-1,3-diyl-(6-formyl-4-methyliminatothiophenolato)] with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence potassium acetate in MeOH resulted in the formation of the complex [Ni(LH₂)] [L = N,N-propane-1,3-diyl-(4-methyl-2-methyliminato-6-methyloxime-thiophenolato)] in good yield. A single crystal X-ray diffraction structural determination showed a mononuclear nickel(II) complex with the new acyclic ligand LH₂ that had been functionalised with two oxime groups containing an empty N(oxime)₂S₂ pocket to which another metal ion could be added. A further reaction of [Ni(LH₂)] with NiCl₂·6H₂O, triethylamine and ammonium hexafluorophosphate in MeOH gave a dark red product that yielded red crystals of [Ni₂(LH)]PF₆·DMF via slow recrystallisation from a DMF/PrⁱOH solvent mixture. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of these crystals confirmed the presence of a dinuclear nickel(II) complex linked by a dithiolato-bridge. Both nickel(II) ions exhibited square-planar geometry where the metal centres are coordinated in two distinct cis-S₂N(imine)₂ and cis-S₂N(oxime)₂ binding sites provided by the new dicompartmental oxime/thiolate-containing ligand LH.     

Reduction of diruthenium(II,III) carboxylate compounds with hydroquinone: a facile preparation of diruthenium(II) complexes

The synthesis of the diruthenium(II) compounds [Ru₂(μ-O₂CR)₄(MeOH)₂] [R = Me (1), Ph (2), CMePh₂ (3) C₆H₄-p-OMe (4), C₆H₄-p-CMe₃ (5)] by reaction of with hydroquinone, under a nitrogen atmosphere, in the presence of a base is described. This reaction constitutes an easy via to the preparation of diruthenium(II) compounds. The structure of the complexes [Ru₂(μ-O₂CMe)₄(MeOH)₂] (1) and [Ru₂(μ-O₂CPh)₄(thf)₂] (2b) is established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds show a diruthenium(II) unit bridged by four carboxylate ligands with the axial positions occupied by methanol and tetrahydrofuran molecules for 1 and 2b, respectively. Complex 1 shows, in the solid state, polymeric chains in which the molecules [Ru₂(μ-O₂CMe)₄(MeOH)₂] are linked by hydrogen bonds.     

S-adenosylmethionine: Stability and stabilization

With a developed HPLC technique for the separation of both (+)- and (−)-S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and ¹H NMR analysis of the epimeric S-CH₃ chemical shifts, a kinetic study on the stability of (−)-AdoMet in solution to decomposition and epimerization is described. The results obtained from the effects of pH, temperature, and sulfonium counterions on the stability of AdoMet indicate that the epimerization appears to proceed through pyramidal inversion of the sulfonium pole. The optimal conditions for AdoMet to be stable in solution to decomposition and epimerization is to keep the compound at pH 3–5, containing an excess of large-size, nonnucleophilic counterions such as tosylate or sulfate.     

Coordination polymers of Cu(II) and Cd(II) with bifunctional chelates of the type dipicolylamino-alkylcarboxylate, (NC5H4CH2)2N(CH2)nCO2H (n = 1, 2, 3 and 4)

A series of bifunctional chelates of the type dipicolylamino-alkylcarboxylate (NC₅H₄CH₂)₂N(CH₂)_nCO₂H (n = 1-4; HL¹-HL⁴, respectively) has been prepared. Reactions of the ligands in aqueous methanol/N,N-dimethylformamide with the appropriate Cu(II) salts yielded the compounds [CuL¹](NO₃)·H₂O (1·H₂O), [CuL²(H₂O)]BF₄·H₂O (2·H₂O), [Cu(HL³)(SO₄)]₂ (3) and [CuL⁴(NO₃)]·MeOH (4·MeOH). While compounds 1, 2 and 4 are one-dimensional, the detailed connectivities within the chains are quite distinct, depending on factors such as alkyl chain length and ligation of aqua ligands or anionic components. In contrast to 1, 2 and 4, the structure of 3 is molecular, a binuclear assembly of edge-sharing Cu(II) ‘4+2’ distorted octahedra. The Cd(II) species, [{CdL²}₂(SO₄)]·4H₂O (5·4H₂O), prepared from HL² and CdSO₄·nH₂O in aqueous methanol/N,N-dimethylformamide, is two-dimensional, with a network constructed from binuclear units of seven coordinate Cd(II), , linked through bridging SO₄²⁻ groups to produce an assembly of linked hexagonal rings [{CdL²}₂(SO₄)]₆.     

Formation of coordination polymer and molecular complex of 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide of manganese and zinc

A 1D-coordination polymer [{Mn₃(C₆H₅COO)₆(BPNO)₂(MeOH)₂}(MeOH)₂]_n (1) having benzoate as the anionic ligand and 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide (BPNO) as bridging ligand is synthesized by reacting benzoic acid with manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrate followed by reaction with 4,4′-bipyridyl-N N′-dioxide. The bridging bidentate BPNO ligands in this coordination polymer along with the benzoate bridges hold the repeated units. The chain like structure in one dimension by benzoate bridges are connected to each other through the μ³-η²:η¹ bridges of BPNO ligands. This coordination polymer can be transformed to a molecular complex [Mn(H₂O)₆](C₆H₅COO)_2.4BPNO (2). In this complex the BPNO remains outside the coordination sphere but they are hydrogen bonded to water molecules to form self assembled structure. The reaction of 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (L₁H2) and BPNO with manganese(II) acetate or zinc(II) acetate led to molecular complexes with composition [M₂(L₁)₂(H₂O)₆].BPNO·xH₂O {where M = Mn(II) (3), Zn(II)(4)}. These molecular complexes of BPNO are characterised by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 3-4 are binuclear carboxylate complexes having M₂O₂ core formed from carboxylate ligands with two metal ions.     

Synthesis and structure of a zinc(II)-carboxylate trimer containing the π···π stacking, 1,8-naphthalimide synthon: A supramolecular metal-organic framework

The reaction of the bifunctional ligand 3-(1,8-naphthalimido)propanoate (L_C2⁻), which combines a 1,8-naphthalimide strong π···π stacking synthon and a carboxylate donor group, with Zn(O₂CCH₃)₂(H₂O)₂ in methanol yields trimetallic Zn₃(L_C2)₆(MeOH)₄. The solid state structure has a central zinc(II) linked to two equivalent outer zinc(II) by both μ-κ¹ and μ-κ² carboxylate ligands. The two equivalent five-coordinate terminal zinc centers are also bonded to a third nonbridging κ²-carboxylate and to the oxygen atom of a methanol molecule. The central zinc(II) is six-coordinate with the four bridging carboxylate oxygen atoms forming a square planar arrangement and two trans oriented methanol molecules completing the coordination sphere. These trimers are organized into an extended structure exclusively by noncovalent interactions. Two types of strong π···π stacking interactions between sets of three stacked naphthalimide rings from three different trinuclear molecules organize the structure into two-dimensional thick sheets. The third dimension is organized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the methanol molecules bonded to the terminal zinc(II) and the free oxygen of the μ-κ¹-carboxylates from adjacent trimeric units. This interaction is supported by weak π···π stacking. Overall the structure is a highly organized supramolecular metal-organic framework (SMOF) solid.     

Mixed-valent and radical states of complexes [(bpy)2M(μ-abpy)M′(bpy)2], M,M′ = Ru or Os, abpy = 2,2′-azobispyridine: Electron transfer vs. hole transfer mechanism in azo ligand-bridged complexes

The title complexes were obtained as M^IIM′^II species [(bpy)₂M(μ-abpy)M′(bpy)₂](PF₆)₄, M,M′ = Ru or Os, using the new mononuclear precursor [(bpy)₂Os(abpy)](PF₆)₂ for the osmium-containing dinuclear complexes. One-electron reduction produces radical complexes [(bpy)₂M(μ-abpy)M′(bpy)₂]³⁺ and [(bpy)₂M(abpy)]⁺ with significant contributions from the metals, as evident from the EPR effects on successive replacement of ruthenium by osmium with its much higher spin-orbit coupling constant. The diruthenium and diosmium radical complexes were also studied by EPR at high-frequency (285 GHz), the latter shows an unusually large g anisotropy g₁ − g₃ = 0.25 in frozen solution. Further reduction was monitored by UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry. Oxidation produced Os^III EPR signals for [(bpy)₂Os(abpy)]³⁺ and [(bpy)₂Os(μ-abpy)Ru(bpy)₂]⁵⁺, indicating a Ru^IIOs^III species for the latter. The diosmium(III,II) and diruthenium(III,II) mixed-valent species remained EPR silent at 4 K, however, they exhibit weak inter-valence charge transfer (IVCT) bands at about 1460 nm. Whereas the cyclic voltammetric response towards reduction is only marginally different for the three dinuclear complexes, successive replacement of ruthenium by osmium causes the first oxidation potential to decrease. The much higher comproportionation constant K_c for the mixed valent diosmium(III,II) state (K_c > 10¹⁵) in comparison to the diruthenium(III,II) analogue with K_c = 10¹⁰ confirms the electron transfer alternative for the valence exchange mechanism, in contrast to the hole transfer established for analogous dinuclear complexes with the formally related diacylhydrazido(2−) bridging ligands.     

Novel biosynthesis of d-pinitol in simmondsia chinensis

Chase experiments with ¹⁴CO₂ and feeding experiments with labelled inositols showed that d-pinitol in leaves of Simmondsia chinensis arises via epimerization of d-ononitol. This finding represents an alternative pathway, since d-pinitol is formed in gymnosperms and other plants by epimerization of sequoyitol.     

Deuteron NMR spectroscopy of copper(II) complexes in solution. 1. (5,7,7,12,14,14,-hexamethyl-1,4,8,1 1-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene)-copper(II) and its derivatives in nonaqueous solvent

¹H and ²H NMR spectra of the title copper(II) complexes and its derivatives have been measured. In contrast with their ¹H NMR spectra, ²H NMR spectra gave well resolved sharp signals, and demonstrated that two diastereomers attributable to two asymmetric ligand nitrogens are readily resolved. The remarkable linewidth-narrowing was found in the peripheral methyl groups, which make ²H NMR spectra very useful even for copper(II) complexes with a long electron spin relaxation time. By using ²H NMR spectra, meso-racemate equilibrium was pursued and examined in aqueous and acetonitrile solutions.     

Synthesis, X-ray structure and redox properties of the macrobicyclic iron(II) N2- and S2-containing vic-dioximates

Nucleophilic substitution of the reactive chlorine atoms of the boron-capped macrobicyclic vic-di- and hexahalogen-containing iron(II) precursors with 1,2-ethanedithiol and 1,2-benzenedithiol in dichloromethane as a solvent in the presence of triethylamine as a strong organic base afforded the corresponding di- and hexasulfide mono- and triribbed-functionalized clathrochelates, respectively, in relatively high yields. In the case of the low-reactive tin-capped clathrochelate [Fe(Cl₂Gm)₃(SnCl₃)₂]²⁻ dianion this reaction was performed in DMF with the potassium salt of 1,2-benzenedithiol. The reaction of the dichlorine-containing FeBd₂(Cl₂Gm)(BF)₂ precursor with an excess of ethylenediamine in DMF led to the clathrochelate with N₂-containing vic-dioximate ribbed fragment. The complexes obtained were characterized using elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, IR, UV-vis, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography.The nature and number of the ribbed substituents affect the geometry of a clathrochelate framework, first of all, the distortion of the trigonal prismatic-trigonal antiprismatic iron(II) coordination polyhedra, whereas the apical substituents at the capping boron atoms influe on the B-O distances in the apical RBO₃ fragments. The geometry of the tin-capped hexasulfide clathrochelate complex was deduced from EXAFS data using the scattering both on the encapsulated iron(II) and capping tin(IV) ions.The electrochemical properties of the iron(II) complexes obtained were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemically generated unstable reduced anionic forms are destabilized by the electron-donating ribbed substituents, whereas the oxidation led to the formation of the cationic macrobicycles, the stability of which depends on the nature of the apical capping groups and ribbed substituents as well. The pseudo-aromatic disulfide ribbed fragments stabilize the oxidized forms of the clathrochelate complexes.     

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of dipeptides containing the alpha-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib): preparation, structural characterization, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of [(n-Bu)2 Sn(H(-1)L)] (LH=H-Aib-L-Leu-OH, H-Aib-L-Ala-OH)

Two new organotin(IV) complexes with dianionic dipeptides containing the α-aminoisobutyryl residue (Aib) as ligands are described. The solid complexes [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_A)] · 2MeOH (1 · 2MeOH) (L_AH = H-Aib-L-Leu-OH) and [(n-Bu)₂Sn(H₋₁L_B)] · MeOH (2 · MeOH) (L_BH = H-Aib-L-Ala-OH) have been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques (H₋₁L²⁻ is the dianionic form of the corresponding dipeptide). Complexes 1 · 2MeOH and 2 · MeOH are monomeric with similar molecular structures. The doubly deprotonated dipeptide behaves as a N(amino), N(peptide), O(carboxylate) ligand and binds to the Sn^IV atom. The five-coordinate metal ion has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. A different network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in each compound results in very dissimilar supramolecular features. The IR, far-IR, Raman and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and known structures. The antibacterial and antiproliferative activities as well as the effect of the new compounds on pDNA were examined. Complexes 1 and 2 are active against the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. The IC₅₀ values reveal that the two compounds express promising cytotoxic activity in vitro against a series of cell lines.     

Synthesis of trans-1,4-cyclohexanedisulfonic acid and its zinc salt - A belt-like metal-organic coordination polymer with tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated zinc ions

Diastereomerically pure trans-1,4-cyclohexanedisulfonic acid H₂CDS was prepared in three steps from 1,4-cyclohexanediol (cis/trans-mixture) as a new linker molecule for metal-organic coordination polymers. The crystalline zinc salt contained two molecules DMF per formular unit. Infinite polymeric belts were observed in the solid state structure of [Zn(CDS)(dmf)₂]. These flat belts were formed by connecting two chains of Zn(dmf)-CDS-polymers bearing tetrahedrally coordinated Zn²⁺ ions in one chain and octahedrally coordinated Zn²⁺ centers in the second. Thermal analysis of this polymer revealed its stability up to 400 °C, above which it decomposed cleanly under formation of crystalline ZnO.     

Coordination chemistry of pyrazolylbis((alkylthio)methyl)borates: Hybrid nitrogen and sulfur donor ligands

The synthesis of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes supported by chelating borate ligands containing one pyrazole and two thioethers, phenyl(pyrazolyl)bis((alkylthio)methyl)borates, [Ph(pz)Bt^R], is described. The six-coordinate complexes [Ph(pz)Bt]₂M, M = Fe (1Fe), Co (1Co) and Ni (1Ni), form exclusively the cis isomers as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. Whereas 1Co and 1Ni are high spin, 1Fe exhibits a room temperature magnetic moment, μ_eff = 4.1 μ_B, consistent with spin-crossover behavior. Quantitative analysis of the electronic spectrum of 2Ni leads to a value of D_q = 1086 cm⁻¹, reflective of a ligand field strength somewhat weaker than those imposed by the related tridentate borate ligands Tp or PhTt. Replacement of the methylthioether substituent with the sterically more demanding tert-butylthioether leads to the isolation of [Ph(pz)Bt^tBu]MX, M = Co, X = Cl (2Co); M = Ni, X = Cl (2Ni) or acac (3). The solid state structures of 2Co and 2Ni are chloride-bridged dimers. Additional high-spin cobalt(II) complexes, accessible under distinct preparative conditions, [κ²-Ph(pzH)Bt^tBu] CoCl₂·THF (4) and [κ²-Ph(pz)Bt^tBu]₂Co (5), have been fully characterized.     

Synthesis and characterization of a polyoxotungstate-supported metal compound [{Cu(enMe)2(H2O)}{Cu(enMe)2}3P2W18O62] · nH2O

A new polyoxotungstate formed by Wells-Dawson clusters and copper(II) complexes, [{Cu(enMe)₂(H₂O)}{Cu(enMe)₂}₃P₂W₁₈O₆₂] · nH₂O (enMe = 1,2-diaminopropane, n = 0.81) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that one terminal and three bridging oxygen atoms of the Wells-Dawson cluster in the title compound are coordinated to copper(II) atoms, and forming a unique tetrasupporting polyoxometalate structure. Its cyclic voltammetric behavior in aqueous electrolyte demonstrated that its modified carbon paste electrode has a good stability. It was exhibited that the compound has catalytic activity in epoxidation of maleic anhydride.