The structure of the bulk proton sites in dehydrated solid Keggin-type
heteropoly acids (HPA) H3PW12O40 and H4SiW12O40 was determined by O-1
7 NMR. The terminal W=O oxygen atoms in Keggin heteropolyanions were f
ound to be the predominant protonation sites. The protonation of HPAs
in solution is also discussed on the basis of O-17 NMR data.