“…Finely dispersed cobalt-containing oxide spinels M x Co 3 - x O 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1; M = Cu, Ni, Mg, Zn) have been known for a long time as catalysts for complete oxidation of hydrocarbons. , However, during the past decade the interest in them has increased considerably because these compounds are active in reactions involving oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons and the redox conversion of NO + CO mixtures to N 2 and CO 2 . Their high activity, selectivity, and stability with respect to catalytic poisoning, which are comparable with those of noble metal-containing catalysts, offer the possibility for developing catalytic decomposers of harmful components in exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. − The spinel cobaltites of nickel, cobalt, or zinc are thermally unstable and cannot be prepared by a solid-state reaction between the corresponding oxide components. − However, they have been synthesized by using mild-condition techniques, e.g. low-temperature decomposition of mixed oxalates , or of specially designed hydroxide nitrate precursors. − …”