Multistep soft chemistry method for valence reduction in transition metal oxides with triangular (CdI2-type) layers.

Transition metal (M) oxides with MO2 triangular layers demonstrate a variety of physical properties depending on the metal oxidation states. In the known compounds, metal oxidation states are limited to either 3+ or mixed-valent 3+/4+. A multistep soft chemistry synthetic route for novel phases with M(2+/3+)O2 triangular layers is reported.

Low-temperature solvothermal approach to the synthesis of La4Ni3O8 by topotactic oxygen deintercalation.

A chimie douce solvothermal reduction method is proposed for topotactic oxygen deintercalation of complex metal oxides. Four different reduction techniques were employed to qualitatively identify the relative reduction activity of each including reduction with H(2) and NaH, solution-based reduction using metal hydrides at ambient pressure, and reduction under solvothermal conditions. The reduction of the Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate La(4)Ni(3)O(10) was used as a test case to prove the validity of the method.