Relevant examples of intercalation-deintercalation processes in solid state chemistry: application to oxides

Four 'chimie douce' synthetic methods, to which much attention has been dev oted in the last years, are described. The electrochemical potential is sho wn to be efficient for intercalating as well as for deintercalating oxygen atoms in oxides. Gaseous NO2 is able to destroy in situ ammonium ions eithe r in a soft way or violently, leading to the formation of tunneled or lamel lar structures or to oxide nanoparticles, Borohydride solutions appear very attractive for the synthesis of low valent oxides at room temperature. Typ ical examples of these methods are given and the most important features of these reactions are discussed.