Polyoxometalates (POMs) represent a vast group of polynuclear metal-oxo discrete entities built up from at least three transition metal oxoanions linked by corner-sharing and edge-sharing polyhedral {MOx} units, where usually M = V, Ta, Nb, Cr, Mo, W (commonly referred to as addenda atoms) and x = 4, 5, 6. ...
Polyoxometalates (POMs) represent a vast group of polynuclear metal-oxo discrete entities built up from at least three transition metal oxoanions linked by corner-sharing and edge-sharing polyhedral {MOx} units, where usually M = V, Ta, Nb, Cr, Mo, W (commonly referred to as addenda atoms) and x = 4, 5, 6. POMs often contain other components, designated as heteroatoms, in either anionic forms (mostly group 13. – 17. elements) or as central atoms coordinated by POMs (d and f metals), as well as organic compounds, forming hybrid metal–organic frameworks. POMs therefore represent an important group of inorganic compounds with tunable properties leading to distinct applications in biological and medicinal chemistry, and macromolecular crystallography. The ability of POMs to act as bioactive ions originates in their effective binding to biomacromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, or membrane structures. Thus, various POMs exhibit antimicrobial or antitumor properties, inhibit or mimic enzymes, and even can act against viruses. One of the most prominent applications in this field were the clinical trials of an antimony-containing tungstate for its antiviral activity against HIV virus in patients with manifested AIDS disease. This and other in vitro, in vivo, or ex vivo studies have confirmed and inspired scientist around the globe to investigate bioinorganic chemistry of POMs, understand it, and bring it closer to practical applications.
This Research Topic aims to:
• Promote polyoxometalates as highly effective biotools.
• Bring the benefits of introducing POMs into biological systems to a broader readership in the field of biology.
• Present recent advances in applications of POMs in medicinal chemistry and improvements of their biological effects achieved.
• Present POMs as interesting “interface tools” that can improve or even enable macromolecular crystallization.
• Present POMs as competent alternatives to organic compounds in all related fields of medicinal and biological chemistry.
In this Research Topic we invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
-Synthesis of POMs and their characterization, both in solid state and in solutions (speciation) with the focus at stability under biological conditions.
-Toxicological studies of POMs.
-Biological properties of POMs, such as antitumor, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects.
-Mimicking biological processes by POMs, such as enzymatic activity or photosynthesis (water splitting).
-Presenting and developing advances and new directions in bioinorganic chemistry of POMs, discussing obstacles, and providing solutions to overcome them.
Keywords:
bioactive ions, medicine, biotools, Polyoxometalates (POMs), Bioinorganic chemistry
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.