Creation of bismuth–tungsten oxide nanoclusters using lacunary polyoxometalates

Three types of heterometallic bismuth-tungsten oxide nanoclusters were successfully synthesized by the reactions of lacunary silicotungstates (trivacant [A-α-SiW₉O₃₄]^10- and divacant [γ-SiW₁₀O₃₆]^8-) and Bi³⁺ in organic solvents. Lone pairs on Bi³⁺ acted as structure-directing groups in these nanoclusters.