Hexagonal potassium cobalt oxide KCo2O4, with lattice parameters of a
= 2.846 Angstrom and c = 12.417 Angstrom, has been prepared using KCO3
and Co3O4 as starting materials. The specimens show metallic conducti
on with almost linear decrease in the resistivity, in the order of 10(
-2) Omega . cm, down to 12 K. The magnetic susceptibility is of the or
der of 10(-6) emu/g and shows paramagnetic behavior.