The aim of this work was preparation and characterization of catalysts based on polyoxometalates and their use in various catalytic reactions in heterogenous conditions. Methane C-H activation on silica-supported polyoxometalates was shown already at room temperature. Methoxy species [SiMo12O40(CH3)]3- from the 13C-enriched methane adsorption at 200°C on the surface of a silicadispersed silicomolybdic acid was detected by means of 13C SS NMR. Its hydrolysis led to methanol formation, thus completing the catalytic cycle. After 13C-enriched MeOH adsorption presence of two distinct methoxy species on the surface of polyoxometalates was shown, located on terminal (single coordinated) and bridging (double coordinated) oxygen atoms and resulting in the resonances at 58 and 77 ppm in 13C SS NMR. Grafting of PtMe2COD on the surface of various polyoxometalate supports led to methane or combined methane and ethane release, explained by means of oxidative addition/reductive elimination mechanism on metal centers. Ammonium salts of phosphotungstic acid catalyzed efficiently n-butane to isobutane skeletal isomerisation at mild conditions (225 °C, atmospheric pressure). Successful heterogenization of copper catalysts, active in enantioselective C-H carbene insertion reactions, on polyoxometalate supports have been shown
