Published data on the structure and properties of lanthanide and actinide c
omplexes with unsaturated heteropolyanions having the Keggin or Dawson stru
cture are analyzed. The stability, thermodynamic and chemical properties of
the complexes in solutions, and their luminescence in solutions and in the
crystalline state are considered. Methods for separating f elements, based
an their complexation with heteropolyanions, are discussed.