Abstract: A metal oxide coating is formed on a vitreous or non-vitreous substrate by applying a solution containing at least one metal compound to the substrate and then heating the coated substrate to convert the compound in situ to leave a coating of metal acetyl acetonate or a mixture of metal acetyl acetonates in a solvent including an aprotonic solvent, a substituted or unsubstituted monocarboxylic acid solvent, an amine or diamine solvent, or a mixture of two or more solvents selected from these groups.