Abstract: The invention relates to a polyoxometalate topical composition for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising a topical carrier and at least one polyoxometalate, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate is not H5PV2Mo10O40; K5Si(H2O)MnIIIW11O39; K4Si(H2O)MnIVW11O39; or K5CoIIIW12O40. The invention further relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising contacting the polyoxometalate topical composition of the present invention with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment. The invention further relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising contacting a polyoxometalate powder or a polyoxometalate coating with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment.

Abstract: Polyoxometalate topical compositions for removing contaminants from an environment and methods of use thereof are disclosed. An emobodiment of the polyoxometalate topical composition includes a topical carrier and at least one polyoxometalate, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate is not H5PV2Mo10O40; K5Si(H2O)MnIIIW11O39; K4Si(H2O)MnIIIW11O39; or K5CoIIIW12O40. Another embodiment relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, including contacting the polyoxometalate topical composition with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment.

Abstract: A topical skin protectant formulation containing a barrier cream and an active moiety for protecting warfighters and civilians against all types of harmful chemicals, specifically chemical warfare agents (CWA). The topical skin protectant offers a barrier property and an active moiety that serves to neutralize chemical warfare agents into less toxic agents.

Abstract: A topical skin protectant formulation containing a barrier cream and a active moiety for protecting warfighters and civilians against all types of harmful chemicals, specifically chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The topical skin protectant offers a barrier property and an active moiety that serves to neutralize chemical warfare agents into less toxic agents.

Abstract: A water soluble derivative of buckministerfullerene (C60) having antiviral and virucidal properties is used to inhibit human retroviral replication and infections. The derivatized fullerene is symmetrically substituted with polar organic moieties containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally further containing oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: A water soluble derivative of buckministerfullerene (C60) having antiviral and virucidal properties is used to inhibit human retroviral replication and infections. The derivatized fullerene is symmetrically substituted with polar organic moieties containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally further containing oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: Respiratory viral infections may be effectively prevented or treated by administering an aerosol spray comprising a polyoxometalate to the lungs.

Abstract: A method for delignifying wood pulp and fiber is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a wood pulp and exposing the wood pulp to a polyoxometalate of the formula ?V.sub.1 Mo.sub.m W.sub.n Nb.sub.o Ta.sub.p (TM ).sub.q X.sub.r O.sub.s !.sup.x- where l is 0-18, m is 0-40, n is 0-40, o is 0-10, p is 0-10, q is 0-9, r is 0-6, TM is a d-electron-containing transition metal ion, and X is a heteroatom, which is a p or d block element, where l+m+n+o+p.gtoreq.4, l+m+q>0 and s is sufficiently large that x>0. The exposure is under conditions wherein the polyoxometalate is reduced. In a preferable form of the invention, the method additionally comprises the step of reoxidizing the polyoxometalate.

Abstract: Respiratory viral infections may be effectively prevented or treated by administering an aerosol spray comprising a polyoxometalate to the lungs.

Abstract: A water soluble derivative of buckministerfullerene (C.sub.60) having antiviral and virucidal properties is used to inhibit human retroviral replication and infections. The derivatized fullerene is symmetrically substituted with polar organic moieties containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally further containing oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for delignifying wood pulp and fiber is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a wood pulp and exposing the wood pulp to a polyoxometalate of the formula ?V.sub.l Mo.sub.m W.sub.n Nb.sub.o Ta.sub.p (TM).sub.q X.sub.r O.sub.s !.sup.x- where l is 0-18, m is 0-40, n is 0-40, o is 0-10, p is 0-10, q is 0-9, r is 0-6, TM is a d-electron-containing transition metal ion, and X is a heteroatom, which is a p or d block element, where l+m+n+o+p.gtoreq.4, l+m+q>0 and s is sufficiently large that x>0. The exposure is under conditions wherein the polyoxometalate is reduced. In a preferable form of the invention, the method additionally comprises the step of reoxidizing the polyoxometalate.

Abstract: A method for delignifying wood pulp and fiber is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a wood pulp and exposing the wood pulp to a polyoxometalate of the formula [V.sub.l Mo.sub.m W.sub.n Nb.sub.o Ta.sub.p (TM).sub.q X.sub.r O.sub.s ].sup.x- where l is 0-18, m is . 0-40, n is 0-40, o is 0-10, p is 0-10, q is 0-9, r is 0-6, TM is a d-electron-containing transition metal ion, and X is a heteroatom, which is a p or d block element, where l+m+n+o+p.gtoreq.4, l+m+q>0 and s is sufficiently large that x>0. The exposure is under conditions wherein the polyoxometalate is reduced. In a preferable form of the invention, the method additionally comprises the step of reoxidizing the polyoxometalate.

Abstract: A method for oxidative degradation of lignin and polysaccharide fragments dissolved during polyoxometalate delignification or bleaching of wood pulp, wood fiber or pulp obtained from a non-woody plant. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a spent polyoxometalate bleaching solution containing a polyoxometalate of the formula [V.sub.l Mo.sub.m W.sub.n Nb.sub.o Ta.sub.p (TM).sub.q X.sub.r O.sub.s ].sup.x- where 1 is 0-18, m is 0-40, n is 0-40, o is 0-10, p is 0-10, q is 0-9, r is 0-6, TM is a d-electron-containing transition metal ion, and X is a heteroatom which is p or d block element, provided that l+m+n+o+p.gtoreq.4, l+m+q>0 and s is sufficiently large that x>0, and heating the solution in the presence of an oxidant under conditions wherein the dissolved organic compounds are oxidatively degraded to volatile organic compounds and water.

Abstract: Tungstoniobate compounds containing an ion of general formulaA.sub.x W.sub.y Nb.sub.a O.sub.b !.sup.p- Iwhere A=P, Si, Ge, x=0 or an integer from 1 to 10, y is an integer from 1 to 10, y is an integer from 1 to 40, a is an integer from 1 to 8, b is an integer from 15 to 150, and p is an integer dependent upon the nature and oxidation state of element A, have been found to be active against viruses including especially HIV and Herpes Simplex. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for delignifying wood pulp is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a wood pulp and exposing the wood pulp to a polyoxometalate of the formula [V.sub.n Mo.sub.m W.sub.l Nb.sub.o Ta.sub.p (TM).sub.q (MG).sub.r O.sub.s ].sup.x- where n is 1-18, m is 0-40, l is 0-40, o is 0-10, p is 0-10, q.ltoreq.6, r.ltoreq.6, TM is a d-electron-containing transition metal ion, and MG is a main group ion, provided that n+m+o+l+p.gtoreq.4 and s is sufficiently large that x>o. The exposure is under conditions wherein the polyoxometalate is reduced. In a preferable form of the invention, the method additionally comprises the step of reoxidizing the polyoxometalate.

Abstract: A novel process for the homogenous oxidation of organic substrates is disclosed. This process uses a transition metal-substituted polyoxometalate catalyst, which in the presence of an oxygen donor, catalyses the carbon-hydrogen bond (e.g., alkane) hydroxylation reaction and/or epoxidation reaction of the organic substrate.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing alkanes, which comprises: (a) combining one or a mixture of alkanes with a photochemically active polyoxometalate compound to obtain a reaction medium; (b) allowing said photochemically active polyoxometalate compound to catalyze homogeneously functionalization of said alkane in the presence of visible or ultrThe National Science Foundation (Grant CHE-8402994) & the Petroleum Research Fund (17938-AC3) provided funds used in making this invention.