The precursor [NH4]2[Ti(catecholate)3] · 2H2O is known to react with Ba(OH)2· 8H2O in an acid/base process that generates Ba[Ti(catecholate)3] · 3H2O, a compound which undergoes low‐temperatue calcination to produce BaTiO3 powder. Attempts to develop similar routes to PbTiO3 have been frustrated, since lead(II) hydroxide does not exist. The amphoteric yellow PbO and the basic oxide, Pb6O(OH)64+, are both insufficiently basic to react with [NH4]2[Ti(catecholate)3] · 2H2O. Based on the large sizes of both the [Ti(catecholate)3]2‐ anion and the Pb2+ cation, a precipitation method has been developed in which lead nitrate and [NH4]2[Ti(catecholate)3] · 2H2O are added together in an aqueous medium causing precipitation and leaving only NH4NO3 in solution. The lead‐titanium‐catecholate complex that forms in this manner undergoes low‐temperature pyrolysis to produce PbTiO3. SEM indicates a submicrometer ultimate crystallite size. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
