solution to recover li 2 co 3 wherein at least steps a and b are conducted under an inert atmosphere preferably in step b h 2 so 3 and li 2 co 3 are reacted with each other in substantially equimolar amounts there is also provided a process for forming an electrode material comprising a complexing step of causing lithium sulphite to form so 3 complexes at active n sites of a nitrogen carbon structure in the presence of a selected amount of a sink that absorbs the liberated lithium so as to form the n so 3 complexed electrode material preferably the nitrogen carbon structure is thermally restructured polyacrylonitrile or a copolymer thereof application_number US 201113813284 A description preparation of li 2 so 3 via the sulphurous acid route this example illustrates how lithium sulphite may be synthesised in accordance with the first aspect of the invention a white suspension is prepared in a three necked round bottom flask by the addition of 0 74 g of lithium carbonate li 2 co 3 to 10 ml of water under a constant flow of argon a 5 w w solution of sulphurous acid h 2 so 3 is purged with argon for 10 15 minutes and then added drop wise to the cloudy suspension until a clear solution was formed and effervescence ceases the ph of the solution is monitored and purging continued throughout.