The crystal structure of MoO~. 2H20 has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffractometer data and refined by least-squares methods to an R index of 4"8 %. The compound crystallizes in the space group P21/n with Z= 16 in a superstructure unit cell of dimensions a= 10.476 (5), b= 13.822 (6), e= 10.606 (5) A, fl= 91"62 (3) °. The structure consists of a system of infinite layers with composition [MoO4/zO(H20)],=[MoO3(H20)], parallel to (010). Five oxygen atoms and one coordinated H20 form a strongly distorted octahedron around Mo. Every octahedron shares a corner with each of four neighbouring octahedra within the layers. The octahedra form characteristic zigzag rows within the layers, with alternating short and long mean Mo-O bridge bond distances of 1.766 and 2.156 A, in the direction [10T], and 1"800 and 2.054A in the direction [101L Mean bond lengths for Mo-O (term.) and Mo-O (water) are 1"694 and 2.288/~ respectively. The second half of the water molecules in the structure is not bonded to Mo, but acts as hydrate water in the voids between the layers, each inter-layer H20 molecule being in hydrogen-bonding contact with both neighbouring layers. The hydrogen bond system could be completely characterized from the X-ray data. MoO3.2H20, formulated as molybdenum hydratotrioxide hydrate, is the first example of an aquoxide with both coordinated and hydrate water molecules.