Six cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of simple monosaccharides (D-glucose, D-fructose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-ribose and D-xylose) have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of analytical and spectral methods. Both the solution and solid-state studies have supported the presence of dimeric structures, formed through the cis-MoO2 moieties and the bridging saccharide units. Solution stability of these complexes as a function of time has also been addressed. Copyright (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.