ABSTRACT

Tungstate (WO₄^2-) has the unique feature that this oxoanion polymerizes easily with itself or with other oxoanions such as phosphate (PO₄^3-), forming a polyacid called “polyoxotungstate (POT)”. POTs possess several unique characters which do not originate from the constituents: i.e., high negative charge and unique molecular structure. This article reviews recent advances in this area and discusses several unique properties of POTs focusing on their polyanionic features.