Although the inclusion of molecules in oxidic solids, e.g. zeolites, has been known for some time and finds wide application, the first soluble oxide inclusion complex has only recently been obtained in the form of ~i 2 0 , 2 ( C H , C N ) ] 4~.~' a 1 Moreover, very little is known about other discrete inorganic host-guest systems. Mixed valence V1v/Vv-O and V"-O clusters are, according to the results of our investigations, remarkable regarding their molecular and electronic structure, since, on the one hand, V"-and Vv-centers are present in almost any desired ratio, and, on the other, the coordination of the vanadium can be widely varied."] The fomiation of "hollow spheres" with unusual "cryptand properties" and interesting topology is possible by the linking of VO, pyramids. The spherical cluster shells {V,,042) 1 and {V,s036} 2, which deserve special mention here because of their topological properties, have in the compounds 1 a, b and 2a, b (2c is included only for the discussion of the type of bonding) the Cs9[H,Vi80,,(X)] . 12H,O (NMe,),[V,,O,,(Y)] -4 H 2 0 Li,[V,,O,,(CO,)]~ ca. 3 9 H 2 0 2c