A phosphonate–lanthanoid polyoxometalate coordination polymer: {Ce 2 P 2 W 16 O 60 L 2 } n zipper chains

{α 2 ,-P 2 W 16 O 60 } polyoxotungstate cluster units featuring phenylphosphonates and Ce III ions embedded into the segregated lacunary sites of the cluster shell organize into the first coordination polymer of a polyoxometalate functionalized by both organophosphonate and lanthanoid. Inter-cluster Ce–OW links result in double-chains, with {Ce III 2 (α 2 ,-P V 2 W VI 16 O 60 )L 2 } cluster units oriented alternatingly perpendicular to the chain propagation direction, akin to the protruding teeth of a zipper.