Niobate

A niobate is an oxo-acid salt formed by niobium(V), and the common forms are metaniobate (NbO3−) and orthoniobate (NbO43−). The most common niobates are lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and potassium niobate (KNbO3).

Preparation
The niobate can be obtained by reacting niobium pentoxide with the corresponding oxide, hydroxide or carbonate. For example, reacting lithium carbonate with niobium pentoxide would obtain lithium niobate:


 * Li2CO3 + Nb2O5 → 2 LiNbO3 + CO2↑

Cobalt metaniobate can be obtained by heating a mixture of cobalt monoxide and niobium pentoxide:


 * CoO + Nb2O5 → Co(NbO3)2

Lanthanide oxides react with niobium pentoxide to form the lanthanide orthoniobates:


 * Ln2O3 + Nb2O5 → 2 LnNbO4