Soluble anionic carbonate complexes of Zr(IV) are produced by addition of Zr(IV) salts to the excess of an alkali metal or ammonium carbonate. The solutions are metastable at pH 7-10 and can be used as the precursors for the synthesis of new materials, as illustrated by the example of the surfactant containing mesophase with a wormhole-like structure, prepared by means of reaction with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.