LiMn2O4 and LiMg x Sn y Al z Mn2−x−y−z O4 (x, y, z =Mg, Sn, Al) (x =0.01–0.09; y =0.04–0.1; z =0.35–0.20) powders have been synthesized via the sol–gel method for the first time using glutamic acid as the chelating agent. The synthesized samples have been subjected to physical and electrochemical characterization. SEM images of parent LiMn2O4 show that the majority of the grains are 1μm in size. The LiMg0.01Sn0.04Al0.35Mn1.6O4 and LiMg0.04Sn0.06Al0.30Mn1.6O4 particles present a low degree of agglomeration and the primary particles are 1μm in size. TEM images of the spinel LiMn2O4 and LiMg x Sn y Al z Mn2−x−y−z O4 ascertain that the synthesized particles are nano-sized with uniform surface morphology. The LiMn2O4 samples calcined at 850°C deliver a discharge capacity of 122mAhg−1 in the first cycle. Among the compositions investigated, LiMg0.01Sn0.06Al0.30Mn1.6O4 delivers 115mAhg−1 in the first cycle and exhibits stable cycling performance with a low capacity fade of 1mAhg−1 cycle−1 over the 10 cycles investigated.