Synthesis and Characterizations of Keplerate Nanocapsules Incorporating L- and D-Tartrate Ligands

Five new tartrate-containing Keplerate compounds have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in solution. These characterizations evidenced the total replacement of inner sulfate ligands by L- or D-tartrate ligands in aqueous medium under heating during several days. To our knowledge these compounds correspond to the first Keplerate molecules incorporating chiral ligands. The 1H NMR studies supported by X-ray crystallographic analysis are consistent with the coordination of 24–30 tartrates within the Mo132 capsule which are located in close vicinity. The NMR signals of the encapsulated ligands appear particularly broad which precludes the use of advanced NMR methodologies but the solid state NMR provided further characterization of ligand substitution within the capsule by carboxylates. To our knowledge it is the first time that a solid state NMR study of a Keplerate is reported in the literature.