A host–guest complex between a metal–organic cyclotriveratrylene analog and a polyoxometalate: [Cu 6 (4,7-phenanthroline) 8 (MeCN) 4 ]2PM 12 O 40 (M = Mo or W)

The synthesis and crystal structure of Cu(6)(4,7-phenanthroline)(8)(MeCN)(4)(6+) a novel Cu(i)-molecular hexamer is described in which the metal cations and phenanthroline molecules self-assemble into a dimer of shallow triangular-shaped bowls, within which are located large spherical polyoxometalate anions PM(12)O(40)(3-)(M = Mo or W).