Mo K-edge EXAFS investigation of the [Mo7O24]6- promoted phosphate ester hydrolysis

The early transition metals (V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W) in their high oxidation states are able to form metal-oxygen clusters, commonly referred to as polyoxometallates (POMs). The diverse structures and compositions of polyoxometallates offer a wide versatility in terms of shape, polarity, redox potentials, surface charge distribution and acidity, and allow for numerous potential applications of POMs. The first reports describing the antitumoral activity of POMs appeared about ten years ago, and they have revealed that the antitumoral activity of [Mo7O24]6- is even better than that of commercial drugs. We have investigated the potential towards phosphate ester bond cleavage of the [Mo7O24]6- cluster.