The solution structure of the two presently known polyoxoaurates, [ (Au 4 Se 4 ), was elucidated by a combination of time-dependent density-functional-theory (TD-DFT) calculations, experimental UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The TD-DFT-predicted electronic spectra for molecular models including different numbers of counterions, along with the main Au 4 As 4 and Au 4 Se 4 structural motifs, were analyzed and compared with the experimental UV/Vis spectra of the two polyanions. The performed analysis revealed important structural differences between the arsenate and the selenite derivatives in aqueous solution. For the selenite oxoaurate, the bare Au 4 Se 4 polyanion itself shows very good agreement between predicted