When a silica gel-supported tungsten halide cluster with an octahedral metal framework,(H3O) 2 [(W6Cl8) Cl6]· 6H2O/SiO2, is treated in a helium stream in the temperature range 250–350° C, catalytic activity for the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime develops. Niobium and tantalum clusters with the same metal framework also catalyze the reaction. Cyclopentanone oxime and acetone oxime also ...