Synthesis of a novel voltammetrically active isopolyoxotungstate anion, [H6W18O60]6−

A novel voltammetrically active isopolyoxotungstate anion, [H6W18O60]6− was prepared as a tetrapropylammonium (n-Pr4N+) salt from a freshly prepared solution (pH 4.0) of 500 mM (M=mol dm−3) W(VI) at ambient temperature. The [H6W18O60]6− complex was obtained as a transient intermediate in the transformation of [W10O32]4− into α-[H2W12O40]6−, and the formation conditions were elucidated in relation to those of [W10O32]4− and α-[H2W12O40]6−. The [H6W18O60]6− complex was characterized by 183W NMR and voltammetric behaviors.