Routes for synthesizing intercalation compounds of aluminum hydroxide [MxAl
y(OH)(z)](n) X.pH(2)O (M = Li, Mg, Ni, Co, ...) are suggested, and applicat
ion of these schemes to syntheses of nanoscale systems is examined. It is s
hown that nanoscale systems varying in composition, structure, and morpholo
gy may be obtained according to the nature of anion X and reaction conditio
ns.