Patent ID: 8163430

Claim:
A method for synthesizing an alkali metal compound of general formula A a M b (PO 4 ) c Z d , wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a≦8; (b) M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing to a higher valence state, and 1≦b≦3; (c) 0<c≦3; and (d) Z is OH, halogen, or mixtures thereof, and 0<d≦6 comprising: in a first stage, preparing a metal precursor compound by a process comprising the steps of: combining starting materials comprising at least one transition metal compound and at least one source of reducing carbon present in an amount at least sufficient to reduce at least one transition metal ion of the at least one transition metal compound in oxidation state without full reduction to elemental state to provide a mixture; heating the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a reaction product comprising a metal precursor compound, wherein at least one metal is reduced in oxidation state during the heating step; and in a subsequent stage, reacting an alkali metal compound with the metal precursor compound.