Syntheses, Crystal Structure, Electrocatalytic, and Magnetic Properties of the Monolanthanide-Containing Germanotungstates [Ln(H2O)nGeW11O39]5– (Ln = Dy, Er, n = 4,3)

Two monolanthanide-containing polyanions based on monolacunary Keggin germanotungstates [Ln(H 2 O) n GeW 11 O 39 ] 5- (Ln = Dy, Er, n = 4,3) have been synthesized in simple one-pot synthetic procedure and compositionally characterized in solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. Electronic absorption and emission spectra of the title compounds in solution were also studied. The [Dy III (H 2 O) 4 GeW 11 O 39 ] 5- Keggin POM exhibits a slow relaxation of magnetization. The cyclic voltammetry measurements and mass spectrometry were carried out to check the stability of the compounds in solution. Both polyanions prove efficient in the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite. To our knowledge, this observation establishes the first example of electrocatalysis of nitrite reduction by all inorganic monolanthanide-containing germanotungstates family.