Two simple pathways using metallic copper or copper salts are proposed for the synthesis of hybrid compounds under mild conditions. A variety of Strandberg-and mixedmetal Keggin-based products, namely, (NH 4 ) 5n {[Cu(en) 2 ]-[PMo 8 V 4 O 40 ]} n ·9nH 2 O (1), (NH 4 ) 4n {[Cu(en)(H 2 O)][P 2 Mo 5 O 23 ]} n · 3.5nH 2 O (2), (NH 4 ) 7 [PMo 8 V 4 O 40 ]·17H 2 O (3) and (NH 4 ) 2n -{[Cu(en) 2 ][Cu(en)(H 2 O)][P 2 Mo 5 O 23 ]} n ·3nH 2 O (4), were isolated upon the variation of the composition of the reaction system. A rare four-substituted [PMo 8 V 4 O 40 ] 7-Keggin anion was obtained. The influence of the vanadium source [V 2 O 5 , NH 4 VO 3 or [a]