Patent ID: 8268269

Claim:
A method for the preparation of a polynucleate metal compound, comprising at least one metal in the +2 or +3 valence state, wherein the polynucleate metal compound is formed by aqueous reaction of a metal halide solution with at least one metal, wherein the metal halide solution comprises in solution at least one metal in the +2 or +3 valence state, wherein the at least one metal is in the 0, +2 or +3 valence state, and if in the 0 valence state is capable of entering the +2 or +3 valence state, wherein the metal halide solution is made by reacting the at least one metal in the 0, +2 or +3 valence state with a halide acid, and wherein the halide acid is formed by the reaction of a metal halide salt, comprising the halide of said halide acid, with a sulfoxy acid.