Bismuth molybdate (alpha-Bi2Mo3O12 phase) nanorods (av. diameter = 10 nm) are synthesized for the first time, by pyridine intercalative sonochemical route and characterized for phase purity, composition, and morphology by Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis, NMR, time of flight secondary ionization mass spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. A possible sonochemical mechanism for formation of the alpha-Bi2Mo3O12 phase nanorods is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.