The layered LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 was synthesized by wet-chemical method and characterized by X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometry. The powders adopted the α-NaFeO2 structure. The ferromagnetism observed below Tc=140K is attributed to the linear Ni2+(3a)–O–Mn4+(3b)–O–Ni2+(3a) magnetic paths, from which we derive that 7% of the nickel occupies the (3a) Wyckoff position in place of Li, constituting a Ni2+(3a) defect. The analysis of the magnetic properties in the paramagnetic phase in the framework of the Curie–Weiss law agrees well with the combination of Ni2+ (S =1) and Mn4+ (S =3/2) spin-only values. Results of structural and magnetic properties of chemically delithiated sample are consistent with the electronic state Mn4+/Ni4+ and the high-spin configuration for Ni4+ ions. The LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 electrode sintered at 900°C delivers a capacity 166mAh/g at 0.1C rate which is capacity retention of 95%.