Heteropolymetalate clusters of the subvalent main group elements Bi(III) and Sb(III)

The heteropolyanions (Bi2W22O74(OH)2)12- and (X2W20M2O70(H2O)6)(14-2n)- (X = Sb3+, Bi3+; M(super n+) = Fe3+, Co2+, Zn2+) were synthesized as alkali metal and ammonium salts, respectively. They were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. These tungsto bismutates and antimonates have one common characteristic: the trivacant beta-B-XW9O33 Keggin fragment as the structural building unit.