Transition metal aluminates

Claim 1

In a method for preparing a compound comforming substantially to the empirical formula MA a v Z b v .nAl(OH) 3 .mH 2 O where M represents at least one divalent transition metal selected from the group comprising Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, where A and Z represent anions or negative-valence radicals of mono-, di- , or polyvalences, v represents the valence, a is an amount in the range of 0-2, b is an amount in the range of 0-2, with (va)+(vb) equal to 2 to satisfy the valence requirements of divalent M, where n represents a numerical value such that the ratio of Al/M is at least 1/1, and where m represents a numerical value for waters of hydration of zero or greater, said process comprising reacting hydrous alumina, in an alkaline aqueous carrier, with a transition metal compound of the empirical formula MAZ, where M, A, and Z are as described above, said process being further characterized by performing said reaction at elevated temperature, using crystalline hydrous alumina.