The dilacunary decatungstogermanate [gamma-GeW10O36]8- (1) has been synthesized and structurally characterized in solution and in the solid state. Reaction of germanium dioxide with sodium tungstate in aqueous acidic medium results in the formation of [beta2-GeW11O39]8- (2), which is then used as a precursor for the synthesis of 1. The (183)W spectrum of 2 shows the expected 11 peaks of equal intensity, whereas that of 1 exhibits the expected three peaks with relative intensities 2:2:1. Polyanion 1 represents a novel lacunary polyoxometalate, giving rise to a multitude of derivatives by reaction with transition metals, lanthanides, and other electrophiles.

Reaction of [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 with [H7P8W48O184]33- (P8W48) in aqueous acidic medium results in the organometallic derivative [{K(H2O)}3{Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)}4P8W49O186(H2O)2]27- (1); in addition to the four {Ru(p-cymene)(H2O)} units, an unusual WO6 group with four equatorial, terminal ligands is also grafted to the crown-shaped P8W48 precursor.