“…Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a type of metal oxide cluster (typically W 6+ , Mo 6+ , Nb 5+ and V 5+ ) with unique structures and properties, including acidity, basicity, redox and photochemical properties. − POMs have the well-defined structures and distinct sizes; therefore, they represent ideal systems for understanding the role of solid state metal oxides in catalysis. , Especially, lacunary POMs as inorganic multidentate ligands can stabilize effectively Ru single-atom, atomically precise Ag nanoclusters, and Pt, Au nanoparticles, etc., which act as catalysts exhibiting great application potential in catalytic hydrogenation, oxidation and carbon dioxide conversion. − Notably, it has been demonstrated that oxygen vacancies could form as one of the important defects in metal oxide clusters, which played a crucial role in the catalytic reactions, as revealed by both theoretical calculations and experimental observations. − In this scenario, oxygen vacancies in POMs can facilitate oxygen activation and boost the oxidation of various intermediate in oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural . On the other aspect, the oxygen vacancies in reduced polyoxovanadate-alkoxide can mediate the catalytic deoxygenation of styrene oxide to styrene .…”