Recent advances in uranium-containing polyoxometalates

Uranium-containing polyoxometalates (U-POMs), an important class of actinide cluster compounds, are the products of the assembly of uranium or uranium and POMs. These cluster compounds illustrate the structural beauty and diversity of obtained U-POMs that can be achieved by the reaction of uranium or uranium and POMs. The structural diversity is revealed by the classification of U-POMs in this review, which are mainly divided into two parts, according to the main metal elements of the clusters, named U-containing heteropolyoxometalates (U-hetero-POMs) and U-oxo-clusters. U-hetero-POMs are further classified by development date from the end of the 20th century based on the basic building units, including Keggin-type, Dawson-type, Silverton-type, hybrid structures, and cryptand structures. U-oxo-clusters mainly include uranyl peroxide clusters, their derivatives, and U-IV-oxo-clusters and mixed-valence U-oxo-clusters. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the synthesis and structures of U-POMs as well as their characterization, properties, and applications. Finally, the development prospects and directions for U-POMs in the future are also elucidated.