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Oxides, niobates and sulfides

Niobium forms oxides in the oxidation states +5 (Nb O), +4 (NbO), and the rarer oxidation state, +2 (NbO). Most common is the pentoxide, precursor to almost all niobium compounds and alloys. Niobates are generated by dissolving the pentoxide in basic hydroxide solutions or by melting it in alkali metal oxides. Examples are lithium niobate (LiNbO) and lanthanum niobate (LaNbO). In the lithium niobate is a trigonally distorted perovskite -like structure, whereas the lanthanum niobate contains lone NbO ions. The layered niobium sulfide (NbS) is also known.

Materials can be coated with a thin film of niobium(V) oxide chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition processes, produced by the thermal decomposition of niobium(V) ethoxide above 350 °C.