A new family of trinuclear transition-metal (TM)-sandwiched heteropolyoxovanadates (hetero-POVs) [(SeV 10 O 28 (SeO 3 ) 3 M(H 2 O) 3 ) 2 (M(H 2 O) 4 )] 10− (Se 8 V 20 M 3 , where M = Mn 2+ , Co 2+ , and Zn 2+ ) were prepared using two feasible approaches: a stepwise assembly strategy atop the POV precursor Se 4 V 10 and a one-pot reaction approach of KVO 3 , SeO 2 , TM 2+ , and a proline ligand. The crystallographic studies reveal that Se 8 V 20 M 3 consist of two asymmetric [SeV 10 O 28 (SeO 3 ) 3 M(H 2 O) 3 )] 6− units, linked by another TM 2+ ion, thus forming an interesting staggered sandwich-type arrangement. Additionally, Se 8 V 20 M 3 and Se 8 V 20 M present strong correlations between their structures and catalytic properties. In particular, Se 8 V 20 M 3 demonstrate an analogical heterogeneous catalytic performance as Se 8 V 20 M in the sulfoxidation reaction of thioethers owing to their structural similarities.