A New Type of Paratungstate

Abstract

For 65 years it has been discussed whether hexatungstate ions exist. Now the confirmation of their existence and the structural analysis of Na5[H3W6O22] · 18H2O have been achieved; in aqueous solution the latter is probably in equilibrium with the known [W7O24]6− ion. The polyhedral representa tion of the structure of [H3W6O22]5− is shown on the right.