A niobate is an oxo-acid salt formed by niobium (Nb), and the common forms are metaniobate (NbO<sub>3</sub><sup>âÂÂ</sup>) and orthoniobate (NbO<sub>4</sub><sup>3âÂÂ</sup>). The most common niobates are lithium niobate (LiNbO<sub>3</sub>) and potassium niobate (KNbO<sub>3</sub>).
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:
Cobalt metaniobate can be obtained by heating a mixture of cobalt monoxide and niobium pentoxide:
Lanthanide oxides react with niobium pentoxide to form the lanthanide orthoniobates: