The synthesis and crystal structure of NiMoO 4· nH 2O were investigated. The hydrate crystallized in the triclinic system with space group P−1, Z=4 with unit cell parameters of a=6.7791(2) Å, b=6.8900(2) Å, c=9.2486(2) Å, α=76.681(2)°, β=83.960(2)°, γ=74.218(2)°. Its ideal chemical composition was NiMoO 4·3/4H 2O rather than NiMoO 4·1H 2O. Under hydrothermal conditions the hydrate turned directly into α–NiMoO 4 above 483 K, giving nanorods thinner than the crystallites of the mother hydrate. On the other hand, it turned into Anderson type of polyoxomolybdate via a solid-solution process in a molybdate solution at room temperature.