Covalent multi-component systems of polyoxometalates and metal complexes: Toward multi-functional organic–inorganic hybrids in molecular and material sciences

•Current trend in polyoxometalates: new synthetic methods for derivatized hybrids.•Challenges: design and synthesis of functional hybrids with societal applications.•Particular interest in combining polyoxometalates with coordination complexes.•Latest achievements analyzed by synthetic approach, architectures and properties.•Photochemically active species are particularly discussed.

The rational design and synthesis of organic–inorganic hybrids in molecular and material sciences lies at the interface of several domains, such as synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. Efforts to develop these hybrids focus not only on the structural features of the materials, but also on their applications in catalysis, photochemistry, magnetism and medicine. Adequate functionalization of polyoxometalates allows to further complex transition metals leading to multi-component systems that feature the combined intrinsic properties of each component as well as new properties originating from the combination of these components. We will discuss the synthesis and characterization of both molecular and polymeric hybrids, and their potential applications in catalysis, material science and energy-related sciences.