In this report we investigate the structure-activity relationship in Ti-M (M = V, Mo, Nb, W) mixed-metal oxides with anatase structure used for the photoelimination of toluene under sunlight-type excitation. These systems were prepared by a microemulsion method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by a multitechnique approach using X-ray diffraction-Rietveld, photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman and UV-visible spectroscopy. The preparation method allowed the incorporation of up to around 20 at % of Mo, Nb, and W, whereas a significantly inferior solubility limit, below 5 at % was observed for V. The presence of nonpunctual defects, intimately related to the existence of MOx clustering, produced electronic mid-gap states involved in charge recombination and appeared to be the most negative factor influencing photoactivity. The maximization of photoactivity occurred for Ti-M samples with the highest doing level, together with a minimum structural disturbance of the anatase-type structure. The physicochemical bases for the photoactivity behavior of the Ti-M samples as function of the M content and, in particular, the presence of partial (for a specific Ti-M series) or global maxima are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.