Reaction of Ce(III) with lacunary versions of [H
4XW
18O
62]
7- (X =P, As) yields the 1:2 complexes [Ce(H
4XW
17O
61]
19- (X = As,
1;P,
2) in good yield, characterized in solution and the solid stateby NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis, respectively. The structures confirm a syn
C2 conformation that isanalogous to that observed for [Ln(
2-P
2W
17O
61)
2]
17- but with"empty" O
4 tetrahedra that are in positions remote from the ceriumatom. Bond valence sum calculations for these structures showthat the four protons that are required for charge balance in allsalts of the XW
18 anions and their lacunary derivatives are almostcertainly bound to the oxygen atoms of the empty tetrahedra.