Abstract
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.