Abstract: The invention is directed to manganese-containing polyoxometallates of the formula (1)(Q).sub.q (Mn.sub.p A.sub.a X.sub.x Y.sub.y M.sub.m O.sub.d Z.sub.z (H.sub.2 O).sub.b)cH.sub.2 O (1)where Q is one or more cations selected from the group consisting of H, Li, K, Na, Rb, Cs, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Al, PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 and NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl or aryl;Mn is manganese;A is a heterometal and is one or more transition metals from transition groups II to VIII apart from Zn, in particular Ru, V, Ti, Zr, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Sn, Ni, Re or Os;X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ga, B, P, Si, Ge, As, F, Cl, Br and I;Y is Sb, S, Te, Se and Bi;M is one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, Nb, Ta and V;Z is one or more anions selected from the group consisting of OH.sup.-, F.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, N.sub.3.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.

Abstract: Bleach composition comprising one or more bleaching agents and one or more polyoxometallates of the formula(Q).sub.q (A.sub.a X.sub.x M.sub.m O.sub.y Z.sub.z (H.sub.2 O).sub.b.cH.sub.2 Oas bleaching catalyst, the symbols Q, A, X, M, Z, q, a, x, m, y, z, b and c being as defined in the description.