A New Synthetic Route for Mixed-Valence Compounds: Leaching Treatments of Hydrogen Molybdenum Bronze

In order to explore the possibilities of a new synthetic route, based on selective extraction of the same atomic species with different valences, for mixed-valence compounds, leaching treatments of HxMoO3 with various x values with various kinds of solutions were investigated. Both oxidation-type (pseudooxidation) and reduction-type (pseudoreduction) products could be obtained by these simple treatments without oxidizing or reducing agents. Their formation mechanisms were elucidated from various investigations of solutions as well as solids. Moreover, novel hydrated hydrogen–alkali metal co-insertion compounds of layered molybdenum oxide with larger hydrogen contents were obtained by the treatments.