The title compound H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀]· 3C₂H₆O was prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, its i.r. spectrum, cyclic voltammetry and e.s.r. spectra. The anion of the title compound is a Keggin-type heteropoly structure based upon a central PO₄ tetrahedron surrounded by 12 MoO₆ octahedra arranged in four groups of three edge-shared octahedra Mo₃O₁₃. Weak hydrogen bonds exist between the organic solvent molecules and the heteropoly anion. The catalytic activity of the title compound was determined by the synthesis of butyl acetate. The conversion of n-BuOH reached 93.3% and the yield of MeCO₂Bu-n was 92.0% when the ratio of MeCO₂H to n-BuOH, catalyst amount, reaction time, reaction temperature were 2:1, 0.24% of the reactants (50 mg), 2.0 h and 115 120 °C, respectively.