Multicomponent Self‐Assembly of a Giant Heterometallic Polyoxotungstate Supercluster with Antitumor Activity

The hierarchical aggregation of molecular nanostructures from multiple components is a grand synthetic challenge, which requires highly selective linkage control. We demonstrate how two orthogonal linkage groups, that is, organotin and lanthanide cations, can be used to drive the aggregation of a giant molecular metal oxide superstructure. The title compound {[(Sn(CH(3))(2))(2)O](4){[CeW(5)O(18)] [TeW(4)O(16)][CeSn(CH(3))(2)](4)[TeW(8)O(31)](4)}(2)}(46−) (1 a) features dimensions of ca. 2.2×2.3×3.4 nm(3) and a molecular weight of ca. 25 kDa. Structural analysis shows the hierarchical aggregation from several independent subunits. Initial biomedical tests show that 1 features an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HeLa cells based on an apoptosis pathway. In vivo experiments in mice reveal the antiproliferative activity of 1 and open new paths for further development of this new compound class.